Michelle Boileau
Michelle Boileau is running for Mayor of Timmins.
Michelle Boileau (she/her/elle) is the current Mayor of Timmins and a proud Franco-Ontarian who was born and raised in the community. She holds an Honours Bachelor of Arts from the University of Ottawa and a Master of Research in Educational and Social Research from the University of London. Before entering municipal politics, she spent more than a decade working in postsecondary education, including as Employment and Immigration Services Manager at Collège Boréal. First elected to Timmins City Council in 2018, Michelle has served eight years in municipal leadership, including four as Mayor. She is President of the Association francophone des municipalités de l’Ontario (AFMO), Chair of the Northern Ontario Service Deliverers Association (NOSDA), and has held leadership roles with the Federation of Canadian Municipalities. As a mother of two, she is deeply invested in the future of the community where she is raising her family.
Why are you running for this position?
I’m running for re-election as Mayor of Timmins because I believe in our community’s potential, and I know there is still important work ahead of us. Over the past four years, we’ve made progress on housing, infrastructure, community safety and economic development, while strengthening partnerships that will help position Timmins for the future.
As someone who was born and raised here and is raising my own family in Timmins, I care deeply about the kind of community we’re building for the next generation. I believe leadership means listening, bringing people together, making difficult decisions and turning plans into action.
We have laid important groundwork, but the job isn’t finished. I’m running to build on the progress we’ve made, pursue new opportunities and ensure Timmins is ready for what’s next.
What do you love most about your community?
What I love most about Timmins is our people. We’re a community built on grit, resilience and a willingness to help one another when it matters most. I’m also proud of our ability to innovate, adapt and seize opportunities, and I believe we have so much potential ahead of us.
What do you think is the biggest challenge facing your municipality right now?
One of our biggest challenges is keeping pace with the infrastructure demands of a growing and evolving region. From roads, water and wastewater systems to community facilities, we need to maintain the infrastructure residents rely on today while preparing for new investment, economic development and population growth. The challenge is making strategic, long-term investments that support growth without placing an unreasonable burden on taxpayers.
If elected, what is one thing you would like to accomplish during your term?
I want to turn the plans we’ve developed into tangible results that residents can see and feel in their everyday lives. My five-point plan focuses on more homes, safer and stronger communities, giving ourselves room to grow, putting Timmins on the map, and turning plans into progress. My goal is to build on the foundation we’ve laid and ensure Timmins is ready to take advantage of the opportunities ahead.
What is one thing you would like to see your municipality do differently?
I want us to continue strengthening the connection between long-term planning and implementation. We’ve developed important master plans and strategies, but the real value comes from putting them into action, setting clear priorities and measuring progress along the way. Residents deserve to see how today’s decisions translate into results for their community.
What does good local government look like to you?
Good local government means planning for the future while taking care of people today. It means making responsible decisions about infrastructure, housing and public services while listening to residents, being transparent about challenges and using public resources wisely. It also means working collaboratively to find solutions and having the courage to make difficult decisions when they’re necessary.
If you received a $1 million grant to use for your municipality any way you wanted, what would you do with it?
A million dollars doesn’t go very far when you’re responsible for a city the size of Timmins, but I would invest it in recreational amenities that improve residents’ quality of life and well-being. Recreation brings people together, supports physical and mental health, and helps make our community a great place to live. I would look for an investment that meets a demonstrated community need and, where possible, allows us to leverage additional funding to make that million dollars go further.
How do you approach working with people who disagree with you?
I start by listening and trying to understand their point of view, even when I don’t agree with it. I look for common ground and focus on what we can work toward together. Good leadership isn’t about ensuring everyone agrees with you; it’s about bringing people together, considering different perspectives and finding the best path forward for the community.
What does having more women in local leadership change?
Having more women in local leadership helps ensure our decision-making tables better reflect the communities we serve. People bring different experiences, perspectives and approaches to the challenges we face, and that diversity makes our discussions and decisions stronger. It’s not about all women thinking alike; it’s about ensuring that a wider range of voices and lived experiences are represented when decisions are made.
What is something about you that you would like voters to know that they might not learn from your campaign platform?
Beyond my role as Mayor, I’m a mother of two raising my family in the community where I grew up. My background in education, employment services and immigration has shaped how I approach leadership: I believe in listening, connecting people with opportunities and helping individuals and communities reach their potential. At the end of the day, public service is personal to me. The decisions we make today shape the community our children will inherit tomorrow.
Where can people find you?
Facebook: @mairesseBoileau
Instagram: @mairesseboileau
LinkedIn: @michelleboileau
Website: www.michelleboileau.ca
