Chantal Phillips is running for School Board Trustee for Near North District School Board in North Bay.
Chantal (she/her) is an Educator living in North Bay with two children. Her oldest just graduated, and her youngest is continuing in high school. Her experience in teaching young children, teens and adults from age 7 to post-secondary has given her more compassion. She is an active volunteer in the community to support the arts and, in particular, Newcomers to Canada. She believes that inclusion makes our schools better. Her family has had many successes in supporting their children with very different needs. She hopes to continue strengthening our school to support an increasingly diverse student population.
Why are you running for this position?
I feel strongly that our Board should include representation of families with children in the school system. I want to advocate for parents and learners. My vision for schools is to make them safer and more inclusive by supporting teachers and staff. We need positive change to help all children feel welcome at school. Teachers and staff need resources to make the classroom inclusive and effective at instilling a love of learning.
What innovative projects would enhance life in your municipality?
North Bay has thriving arts, theatre, music, and film industries. More support for young talent and more venues to showcase creatives would be valuable in strengthening our city.
If you received a $1 million grant to use for your municipality any way you wanted, what would you do with it?
I would invest in housing density in our core. We need affordable small and medium size units to house students, Newcomers, lower-income families and single people. Increasing density in the downtown would help bring business and entertainment to the city.
What do you think are the greatest challenges your municipality faces?
An ageing population and increasing income inequality. Also, we have a lot of people working 2-3 jobs because wages are so low compared to expenses. A larger number of good paying jobs would improve living standards. Other than the official communication methods (minutes, municipal notes), how else will you reach out to your constituents to involve them in the decision making process?
Other than the official ways of communicating (minutes, municipal notes), how else will you reach out to your constituents to involve them in the decision making process?
I think that consultation with city residents is important. I have appreciated the Councillors that post agendas an explain meetings on Facebook Live. I believe that the School Board should also make meetings open, and explain official business using plain English in local media.
What is your favourite thing to do in your municipality?
I love walking the trails with my dogs, arts events, and cycling to Callander on my new e-bike.
Why do you think it’s important for women to be represented in civic leadership, including on committees, boards and municipal councils?
The civic leadership should represent the population in gender, ethnicity and language. Better decisions come from divers leadership.
What does a ‘feminist city’ mean to you?
Equality and improving access to resources for both women and men is fundamental to strong families and future generations.
Please identify the most critical policy, project, or initiative in your platform that addresses systemic barriers faced by women in your municipality, and describe why:
A safer more inclusive school system means educating children to understand bias and prejudice. Teaching about equality and justice as well as skills for healthy relationships and how to address violence and bullying are critical life skills for a better community. Keeping children in school until graduation requires addressing school safety to increase attendance. My vision for the NNDSB School Board is to develop a safer school strategy to improve student outcomes.
