Corrin Smith
Corrin Smith is running for Council in Ward 3 in West Nipissing.
Corrin Smith (she/her) has a diploma in Social Service Work and a professional background spanning restaurants, convenience stores, commercial maintenance, and housekeeping. She has organized community BBQs and a Soupfest event, collaborated on fundraisers and Christmas toy drives, organized protests, and written opinion pieces about local events and politics. Through her education, work, and community involvement, Corrin has built experience working with people and organizing around local issues.
Why are you running for this position?
After years of following local politics, spearheading demonstrations and leading movements on various issues I have built a local following that encouraged me to run. After some consideration and research I found this role to be the job I was made for, representing citizens and facilitating communication between them and the administrators setting rules and regulations that affect them.
What do you love most about your community?
Sturgeon Falls is a special kind of town. A slice of proud Franco Ontarian culture, and a safe and tight-knit Northern community. It's still safe to walk at night, safe for kids to play in the streets with their friends. We have a postcard-worthy downtown thanks to a volunteer committee, a well kept beach thanks to retired volunteers, all of our unhoused and struggling citizens have support from an amazing local volunteer group, and I have personally witnessed the way our community is willing to rise up and support anyone facing adversity. A last bastion of real community.
What do you think is the biggest challenge facing your municipality right now?
Homelessness, addiction issues and the unaffordability of housing.
If elected, what is one thing you would like to accomplish during your term?
Have a shelter for men established (a women's shelter already exists in our municipality) and organize local events as well as organize youth activities and push for a youth center.
What is one thing you would like to see your municipality do differently?
Communicate more clearly with citizens and ensure proper notification of upcoming changes and bylaws. Citizens should be encouraged to access their councillor and feel free to express ideas and concerns. I plan to accomplish this with regular open house constituents meetings.
What does good local government look like to you?
A government that shows up locally and puts their boots on the ground to help organize local initiatives and events. Politics should not always be about saving taxes and the bottom line, there should be equal focus on community wellness and engagement. Bringing your community together is worth investing in.
If you received a $1 million grant to use for your municipality any way you wanted, what would you do with it?
Build efficient and eco-friendly housing units, micro-units as well as small homes, to ensure our citizens can afford a safe and stable place to live.
How do you approach working with people who disagree with you?
Keep the energy positive, keep your mind open and be assertive but professional.
What does having more women in local leadership change?
I think it changes the balance. The more diversity you have in leadership the more fairness and understanding you can achieve.
What is something about you that you would like voters to know that they might not learn from your campaign platform?
I am pretty funny ;)
Where can people find you?
On Facebook
