Stephanie Pagnucco
Stephanie Pagnucco is running for Council in Ward 2 in Sault Ste. Marie.
Stephanie Pagnucco (she/her) is a lifelong Sault Ste. Marie resident, proud mom, and experienced community builder with a background in communications, government relations, and governance at the municipal, provincial, and national levels. She currently serves as Director, Corporate Communications and Stakeholder Relations at Sault College. Stephanie brings extensive board experience as Chair of the District of Sault Ste. Marie Social Services Administration Board, a member of the Sault Area Hospital Board, and Immediate Past President of the Economic Developers Council of Ontario.
Why are you running for this position?
I’m running for Ward 2 councillor because I want to give back to the community where I was raised, where I live, and where I’m raising my son. I want him, and every resident, to see a future for themselves in a Sault Ste. Marie that is safer, resilient, and taken care of.
Serving on the District of Sault Ste. Marie Social Services Administration Board, in particular as chair, showed me both the impact municipal leadership can have and how much more there is to do. I believe City Hall needs practical, collaborative leadership that listens, communicates clearly, and follows through.
What do you love most about your community?
I love the history, the people, and the sense of place. We live in one of the most beautiful places on earth: the heart of the Great Lakes. Besides the obvious natural beauty, we have so much potential here. Our economic development opportunities are endless with our proximity to water, road, and rail; our strategic location close to the Ring of Fire; and our collaboration potential with First Nations and northern communities.
Furthermore, we have an amazing community in Sault Ste. Marie. The people here are invested. They care. Ward 2 specifically has such colourful and historical neighbourhoods... our downtown is located right on the St. Marys River and is home to so many iconic restaurants, landmarks, and walking trails. I love the feeling I get when I spend time in Ward 2.
What do you think is the biggest challenge facing your municipality right now?
Homelessness, mental health and addiction, and all the by-products of this crisis.
If elected, what is one thing you would like to accomplish during your term?
I would focus on the everyday things that make a difference: safe streets, clean public spaces, dependable services, and neighbourhoods people are proud of. I would push for clearer service standards and better follow-up on residents’ concerns, while working with community partners to address safety and neglected properties. I would advocate for housing connected to the supports people need to succeed. In Ward 2, I want to protect the character of our neighbourhoods, downtown, and waterfront while helping more people afford to build a future here.
What does having more women in local leadership change?
I think having more women in local leadership changes the conversation because it brings different perspectives and lived experiences into the room.
Women don’t all think alike, just as men don’t, but women can experience their communities differently. At the municipal level, the decisions we make every day — about housing, childcare, transportation, recreation, community safety, infrastructure, and economic development — can have a very real impact on women’s lives and their ability to participate fully in the workforce and the local economy.
For example, if childcare isn’t available, housing isn’t affordable, or transportation and services aren’t accessible, those barriers can make it harder for women to work, start a business, or pursue a career. These are economic issues, but they’re also municipal issues. Having women at the table helps ensure we’re considering those connections when we set priorities, make investments, and plan for the future of our communities.
And representation matters. When young women and girls see women serving as mayors, councillors, and community leaders, it helps them see leadership as something they can do too.
What is one thing you would like to see your municipality do differently?
I would like to see our municipality work more collaboratively with agencies, municipal service boards, and all levels of government to make marked change on our highest priorities like housing, healthcare, and social issues. I believe there is opportunity for greater collaboration and, more importantly, accountability.
If you received a $1 million grant to use for your municipality any way you wanted, what would you do with it?
I would try to leverage it as much as humanly possible with other agencies or levels of government... I would invest it into targeted initiatives that would see gains in the downtown area, including social service development and relocation; enhanced enforcement and by-law enforcement.
What does good local government look like to you?
It looks diverse; it looks collaborative; it looks supportive... and perhaps, most importantly, it looks transparent.
How do you approach working with people who disagree with you?
I seek to understand first and build consensus second. There is always a compromise to be found through respect and intentional dialogue.
What does having more women in local leadership change?
Everything — it changes everything. We are half of the global perspective in gender alone. I believe the female perspective is important in governance, but female energy helps to balance gender inequity and potential bias and amplifies marginalized voices. Young female leaders need to continue the good work already done; the next generation of young girls need role models to see themselves in places of leadership and decision-making.
What is something about you that you would like voters to know that they might not learn from your campaign platform?
I am a single mother, and I bring that lens to almost everything I do.
Where can people find you?
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stephinthesault/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61592995900177
Website: www.stephaniepagnucco.ca
