About Ian Kuehl
My Beginnings
Born and raised in the west end of Pembroke, I am very proud to have called this great city my hometown for my entire life!
After finishing high school in Pembroke, I went on to study Political Studies and History at Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario. I was proud to be the first member of my family to attend university.
After my undergraduate studies were complete, I then went on to attend law school at the University of Windsor. My course selection in law school focused largely around business related law.
In 2010, I returned back to Pembroke full-time where I articled with a local law firm and then began my career as an associate lawyer. I spent several years as a lawyer in a small firm practicing in the areas of real estate, estate planning and administration, corporate and commercial law, and municipal law. During this time, my work included prosecuting offenders under municipal by-laws and the Building Code Act, 1992 in the local Provincial Offences Court.
My Work
Since 2017, I have been the proud owner of Leach & Kuehl Professional Corporation, a local law firm that serves residents from the City of Pembroke and beyond in the greater Ottawa Valley region.
Being a lawyer and the owner of a small business has provided me with many skills that assist in my role as a member of council, including budgeting, asking tough questions, a focus on accountability, communications, procedural matters, reviewing by-laws & contracts, and understanding the role of a municipality here in the Province of Ontario.
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My Community Involvement
Since returning home from university, I have had the great pleasure of being involved in a number of local community associations and not-for-profits:
- President, Renfrew County Law Association
- Chair, James W. Fraser Law Library
- Vice-Chair, Robbie Dean Counselling Centre
- Co-Chair, Ottawa Valley Festival of Remembrance
- Member, Police Services Board (Pembroke)
- Board Member, Pembroke & Laurentian Valley Handi-Bus
I firmly believe that small towns and rural Ontario are built by volunteers and the incalculable amount of time and effort that go into every community project. The big cities may have big money, but we have our neighbours!
I also believe strongly in giving back to my community and have sponsored numerous public events, non-profit groups, and charitable organizations - investing back in my hometown!
My Time on Council
Serving the residents of the City of Pembroke over the last four years has been one of the greatest honours of my life.
In my role as Vice-Chair of the Planning & Development Committee, I have worked hard to promote the city as a great place to build and grow.
I have also had the great honour of serving on the following committees:
- Economic Development Committee
- Planning Advisory & Adjustments Committee
- Waterfront Development Committee
- Joint Sportsplex Recreation Committee with Laurentian Valley
- Festival Hall Consortium
- Pembroke 200: Planning Committee
- Pembroke 200: Branding & Promotion Working Group (Chair)
- Pembroke 200: Festivals & Events Working Group