Moe Comuzzi
Moe Comuzzi is running for Mayor in Thunder Bay.
Moe Comuzzi (she/her) is a lifelong Thunder Bay resident, business leader, and community volunteer with more than 30 years of experience in business and real estate. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Studies from Lakehead University and is an experienced real estate broker with a background in business management, leadership, and community development. Throughout her career, Moe has supported local businesses, community partnerships, and initiatives focused on Thunder Bay's growth. She is running for Mayor with a focus on neighbourhood safety, responsible financial management, economic development, and creating opportunities for future generations.
Why are you running for this position?
I'm running for Mayor because I love Thunder Bay and believe our best days are ahead of us. After more than 30 years in business, I want to give back to the community that has given me so much.
I believe it's time for fresh leadership, new perspectives, and a City Hall that listens, works together, and puts people first.
I'm not running to build a political career. I'm running to make a difference.
What do you love most about your community?
What I love most about Thunder Bay is its people. We are a community of hardworking, caring, and resilient individuals who come together when it matters most. I love our beautiful natural surroundings, our rich cultural diversity, and the strong sense of community that makes Thunder Bay such a special place to call home. From our local businesses and vibrant neighbourhoods to the countless volunteers and organizations making a difference every day, there is so much to be proud of. I believe we have more that brings us together than divides us, and our greatest strength is our willingness to help one another. Thunder Bay has incredible potential, and what excites me most is the opportunity to build on everything we love about our city while creating an even brighter future for the next generation. I truly believe Thunder Bay's best days are ahead of us.
What do you think is the biggest challenge facing your municipality right now?
I believe one of the biggest challenges facing Thunder Bay is ensuring our city remains safe, affordable, and full of opportunity for everyone. Residents are concerned about rising costs, community safety, homelessness, mental health and addictions, housing availability, and the reliability of essential municipal services. These challenges are interconnected and cannot be solved by City Council alone. We need stronger collaboration with provincial and federal governments, community organizations, businesses, and residents to develop practical, long-term solutions. At the same time, we must manage taxpayer dollars responsibly, strengthen our local economy, attract investment, and create opportunities that encourage young people to build their futures here. My focus is on bringing people together, addressing today's challenges, and planning for a stronger, more sustainable Thunder Bay for generations to come.
If elected, what is one thing you would like to accomplish during your term?
If elected, one of my most important goals would be to restore confidence in our city's future by making Thunder Bay a safer, more affordable, and welcoming place to live, work, and raise a family. I want to bring City Council, community organizations, businesses, and residents together around a practical plan that delivers measurable results, particularly in community safety, housing, and economic development. That means strengthening neighbourhood safety, addressing homelessness through housing and appropriate supports, attracting new investment, and creating opportunities for our young people. Equally important is ensuring we manage taxpayer dollars responsibly and deliver reliable municipal services. I want to help build a culture at City Hall where collaboration replaces division, decisions are transparent, and residents feel heard. At the end of my term, I want people to feel that Thunder Bay is moving forward, that their quality of life is improving, and that our best days are still ahead of us.
What is one thing you would like to see your municipality do differently?
I would like to see Thunder Bay take a more proactive, collaborative, and forward-looking approach to decision-making. Too often, we find ourselves reacting to challenges rather than planning ahead and preparing for opportunities. I believe City Hall needs to place greater emphasis on long-term strategic planning, meaningful public engagement, and working together to find practical solutions. Residents deserve to understand how decisions are made, how their tax dollars are spent, and what results are being achieved. I would also like to see stronger partnerships with businesses, community organizations, Indigenous communities, and other levels of government to help move important priorities forward. We need to spend less time looking in the rearview mirror and more time looking toward the horizon, building a city that is ready for the future.
What does good local government look like to you?
To me, good local government is transparent, accountable, accessible, and focused on serving the people it represents. It means listening to residents, respecting different perspectives, and making thoughtful decisions that put the long-term interests of our community first. Good governance requires elected officials to work collaboratively, even when they disagree, and to treat every taxpayer dollar with care and responsibility. It also means setting clear priorities, communicating openly, and being accountable for measurable results. I believe a Mayor's role is to bring people together, build consensus, and ensure every member of Council has an opportunity to contribute. Above all, good local government should inspire confidence, earn the trust of residents, and focus on building a stronger future for everyone.
If you received a $1 million grant to use for your municipality any way you wanted, what would you do with it?
If I received a $1 million grant, I would invest it in strengthening neighbourhood safety and revitalizing public spaces across Thunder Bay. I would focus on practical improvements that residents can see and experience, including better lighting, safer pedestrian areas, improvements to neighbourhood parks, and revitalization of community spaces that have been neglected. I would also explore opportunities to support community-based prevention programs that engage young people, strengthen families, and build stronger connections between residents. I believe every neighbourhood deserves to feel safe, welcoming, and cared for. I would work with residents, community organizations, and Council to identify priorities and ensure the funding delivers meaningful, lasting improvements. My goal would be to turn a one-time investment into long-term benefits that improve quality of life and restore pride in our neighbourhoods.
How do you approach working with people who disagree with you?
I believe that respectful disagreement is a healthy and necessary part of good leadership and decision-making. My approach is to listen first, seek to understand different perspectives, and focus on finding common ground rather than proving who is right or wrong. We don't have to agree on everything to work together effectively, but we do need to treat one another with respect, honesty, and an open mind. Throughout my business career and community involvement, I've learned that some of the best solutions come from bringing different ideas and experiences to the table. I am always willing to reconsider my position when presented with new information or a better approach. At the end of the day, leadership isn't about winning arguments; it's about building relationships, finding solutions, and doing what's best for the community.
What does having more women in local leadership change?
Having more women in local leadership brings broader perspectives, different life experiences, and new ideas to the decision-making table. I believe our local government should reflect the diversity of the people and communities it serves. Women bring valuable experience from business, community organizations, family life, and many other areas that help shape thoughtful, balanced decisions. Greater representation also creates opportunities for mentorship and encourages more women and young girls to see themselves in leadership roles. For me, leadership has never been about gender alone; it's about integrity, experience, compassion, collaboration, and the willingness to listen. When we create opportunities for more voices to be heard and more people to participate, we strengthen our democracy and build a more inclusive community for everyone.
What is something about you that you would like voters to know that they might not learn from your campaign platform?
What I would like voters to know is that, beyond my business experience and the priorities outlined in my platform, I genuinely care about people and the community I call home. I've always believed that success isn't measured simply by what you accomplish, but by how you treat people and the difference you make in their lives. I value kindness, honesty, hard work, and taking the time to listen, especially when someone sees things differently than I do. I'm not someone who believes they have all the answers, and I'm never afraid to ask questions, learn something new, or roll up my sleeves to get things done. I believe in treating everyone with dignity and respect, regardless of their background or circumstances. At the end of the day, I'm simply someone who loves Thunder Bay, believes in its people, and wants to help build a future we can all be proud of.
Where can people find you?
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61590839212992
Website: www.moeformayor.ca
