Johanne Brousseau
Johanne Brousseau is running for Councillor in North Bay.
Johanne Brousseau (she/her/elle) was raised in North Bay and has a background in business, municipal government, and community service. After graduating from L’Académie des Couturiers Canadiens, she worked in the garment industry before founding Création Unique in 1986, growing it into a Husqvarna Viking dealership recognized as the world's top small dealership in 2001. She has been involved in community volunteering since the age of 14, including serving as board treasurer and Chair of the Investment Committee at the YMCA, founding Tour de Trout to support children's swimming lessons, and administering North Bay Proud – Shop Local. Johanne served on North Bay City Council from 2018 to 2022, including as Chair of Community Services, and has continued her involvement through municipal committees and the Alzheimer Society of Sudbury-Manitoulin North Bay & Districts.
Why are you running for this position?
I am running because I care deeply about North Bay and want residents to feel heard, respected and included in decisions that affect their lives.
After serving on Council from 2018 to 2022, I continued serving on municipal committees and regularly attending Council meetings. This has kept me informed and given me a different perspective, following Council’s decisions as a resident and seeing how they affect our community.
With the cost-of-living putting pressure on so many households, we need to spend responsibly, protect essential services and plan thoughtfully for the future. Residents deserve clear information, meaningful opportunities to participate and accountability for how their tax dollars are used.
I want to help build a Council that welcomes questions, considers different perspectives and works together respectfully. My commitment is to listen attentively, communicate openly and lead responsibly, with affordability and our community’s wellbeing guiding my decisions.
North Bay is home. I want to help build a stronger future for the people who live here today and the generations to come.
What do you love most about your community?
What I love most about North Bay is the people and the way we come together, whether it’s rallying behind a cause, helping a neighbour or supporting a family through a difficult time. There is a generosity and community spirit here that makes North Bay feel like home.
We also have so much natural beauty right in our city, with two amazing lakes, our waterfront, the ski hill and trails that give us opportunities to enjoy the outdoors in every season.
I love our local businesses, the creativity of our arts and culture community, and the volunteers who give their time to make good things happen. Our English, French and Indigenous cultures are an important part of North Bay’s identity. Newcomers add to that richness by sharing their traditions, talents and perspectives as they make North Bay their home.
Above all, I love that people care. That willingness to show up for one another is one of North Bay’s greatest strengths.
What do you think is the biggest challenge facing your municipality right now?
I believe our biggest challenge is ensuring people can meet their basic needs and access the support they need, especially as we face homelessness, mental health and addictions challenges, and rising living costs.
Behind these issues are people, families and neighbours. We need a compassionate, coordinated response that connects housing with mental health care, addictions treatment and ongoing support. The municipality has an important role to play, working with community agencies, the DNSSAB and other levels of government.
Affordability also affects residents across our community, from young people trying to establish themselves to families making ends meet and seniors hoping to remain in their homes. Council must manage spending responsibly while protecting the essential services people rely on.
There is no single solution, but we can make progress by working together, listening to those affected and focusing on practical actions that improve people’s lives.
If elected, what is one thing you would like to accomplish during your term?
If elected, I would like to help build a Council that works together respectfully, listens to different perspectives and collaborates to move North Bay forward.
That means working with fellow councillors, staff and residents to turn shared priorities into practical plans. Two projects I would welcome exploring with Council are moving forward with the reconstruction of King’s Landing, for which the environmental assessment was completed in 2019, and finding a permanent, year-round home for our amazing farmers’ market.
These projects could support local businesses, producers and artisans while creating welcoming places for our community to gather. I would approach them with meaningful public consultation, careful consideration of costs and a commitment to affordability.
What is one thing you would like to see your municipality do differently?
I would like to see North Bay involve residents earlier in decisions, while there is still a meaningful opportunity to shape the outcome.
That means sharing clear information about options, costs and potential impacts, asking for input before plans are finalized, and reaching people who may not attend Council meetings.
Just as important is following up so residents understand how their feedback was considered and why a decision was made. I want public consultation to be an ongoing conversation that helps us make better decisions and builds trust.
What does good local government look like to you?
Good local government listens, communicates clearly and follows through. Residents should feel comfortable asking questions, sharing concerns and participating in decisions that affect their lives.
It means a Council that works respectfully with one another, staff and the public. We can disagree and still consider different perspectives, make informed decisions and work toward what is best for our community.
It also means treating people fairly, spending tax dollars responsibly and planning for the future while addressing today’s needs. When plans or costs change, residents deserve a clear explanation.
For me, good local government comes down to integrity and accountability, being honest about what we can do, explaining our decisions and taking responsibility for the results.
If you received a $1 million grant to use for your municipality any way you wanted, what would you do with it?
I would put it toward affordable housing, working with the DNSSAB, community agencies and housing providers to identify where it could make the greatest difference.
A million dollars would not solve our housing challenges, but it could help attract additional funding, support the renovation of an existing building or contribute to a project that creates more affordable homes.
My goal would be to turn that grant into lasting housing opportunities, helping people find stability and a place to call home.
How do you approach working with people who disagree with you?
I start by listening and asking questions to understand their perspective, keeping in mind that we likely share the same goal: serving our community well.
People bring different experiences and concerns to a discussion, and disagreement can help us see something we may have missed. I try to find common ground, consider the facts and explain my own position clearly and respectfully. I am willing to reconsider when new information or a different perspective leads to a better decision.
We may have different ideas about how to move forward, but we can still treat one another with dignity and work together. For me, that means keeping our shared purpose at the centre of the discussion and finding practical solutions that serve North Bay.
What does having more women in local leadership change?
Having more women in local leadership brings a wider range of experiences and perspectives to the table. Women are not all alike, but their voices should help shape the decisions that affect our communities.
Broader representation can help Council ask different questions, recognize needs that may have been overlooked and make more informed decisions.
It also shows women and girls that their ideas matter and that leadership is a place for them. To me, the value is both in the decisions we make today and in opening the door for those who will lead after us.
What is something about you that you would like voters to know that they might not learn from your campaign platform?
When I take something on, I give it my all. I step up, work hard and follow through because people are counting on me. I also take the time to research, ask questions and understand an issue so I can contribute thoughtfully.
Kindness and generosity matter to me, whether that means giving my time, helping someone or simply listening. I love North Bay and being involved in the many ways that bring us together.
I would like voters to know that this commitment goes beyond an election. Serving our community has long been part of my life, and I bring that same care and dedication to everything I do.
Where can people find you?
Facebook: @johannebrousseaunb
Email: johannebrousseaunorthbay@gmail.com
