Suzanne Seiling
Suzanne Seiling is running for Councillor in Ward 10 in Greater Sudbury.
Suzanne Seiling (she/her) is a climate resilience professional with more than a decade of experience working with municipalities, industry, governments, Indigenous organizations, and communities across Canada. She holds a Master of Climate Change and a Bachelor of Environmental Studies from the University of Waterloo and was recognized for three consecutive years as one of Canada's Top 25 Environmentalists Under 25. Her career has included roles with Natural Resources Canada, the Ontario Centre for Climate Impacts and Adaptation Resources, and the Climate Risk Institute, where she currently works as a Project Manager. She has led national and international initiatives focused on community resilience, infrastructure, and public policy, bringing experience in project management, budgets, and partnerships. As a mother raising her family in Greater Sudbury, Suzanne is committed to protecting what makes the community special while addressing the challenges it faces.
Why are you running for this position?
I’m running for Ward 10 Councillor because I care deeply about our community and want to help build a Greater Sudbury that is safe, affordable, vibrant, and prepared for the future.
I recognize that municipal government has a direct impact on our everyday lives, from the condition of our roads and sidewalks to the safety of our neighbourhoods, the affordability of housing, and the protection of our parks and natural spaces. These are issues that matter to me, my family, and the people who live and work in Ward 10.
Ultimately, I'm running because I want to contribute to the community I call home. I want residents to feel heard, to have confidence that their concerns are taken seriously, and to know that decisions are being made transparently and with their long-term interests in mind.
What do you love most about your community?
What I love most about Ward 10 is the pride people take in their neighbourhoods and the genuine care they have for their community. Speaking with residents and businesses over the past several months has only strengthened my appreciation for that. I love the mix of families, students, and seniors, our vibrant arts and culture scene, and the unique balance of urban life and access to nature. From Bell Park and Lake Nepahwin to our schools, local businesses, and established neighbourhoods, there's so much worth celebrating and protecting. I want to build on those strengths and help make our community an even better place to live.
What do you think is the biggest challenge facing your municipality right now?
I believe that one of Greater Sudbury's biggest challenges is meeting growing community needs while managing limited financial resources. Residents are feeling the pressures of affordability, housing, neighbourhood safety, and aging infrastructure. We need to be smarter about how we invest public dollars, moving beyond short-term fixes toward solutions that address multiple challenges and deliver lasting value. That means maintaining essential services, supporting vulnerable residents, and planning for a future where our neighbourhoods are safe, connected, affordable, and resilient.
What is one thing you would like to see your municipality do differently?
I'd like to see stronger, more meaningful communication between residents, businesses, City Council, and municipal staff. I've spent much of my professional career bringing people together, facilitating difficult conversations, and creating opportunities for people to share knowledge and shape decisions. I know that good engagement isn't just about asking for feedback. It's about listening, following up, and showing people how their input has made a difference. If elected, I would make improving two-way communication a priority. I want residents and businesses to feel informed, heard, and genuinely connected to the decisions affecting their communities.
What does good local government look like to you?
Good local government listens, communicates openly, makes thoughtful decisions, and follows through. It's transparent about how public money is spent, honest about challenges and trade-offs, and accountable for results. It also recognizes that decisions don't happen in isolation. Housing, transportation, public safety, infrastructure, the environment, and community well-being are all connected. Good leadership means looking at the bigger picture, working collaboratively, and finding practical solutions that serve both today's residents and future generations. Most importantly, good local government earns and maintains the trust of the people it serves.
How do you approach working with people who disagree with you?
I approach disagreements with curiosity, respect, and a willingness to listen. Much of my professional career has involved bringing people with different perspectives and priorities together to work through complex challenges. I've learned that understanding why someone holds a particular view is often more important than focusing on where we disagree. I look for common ground, rely on evidence, and work toward practical solutions that consider different needs and perspectives. We won't always agree, but I believe we can disagree respectfully, be transparent about our reasoning, and maintain productive relationships.
What does having more women in local leadership change?
For me, having more women in local leadership is about representation, opportunity, and changing expectations about who belongs at the decision-making table.
Women bring a wide range of professional and lived experiences, and those perspectives deserve to be reflected in the decisions shaping our communities.
I would like to see us crush stereotypes so that young women and girls see public leadership as something they can aspire to, without questioning whether they belong. The more diverse our leadership becomes, the more opportunities we have to challenge assumptions, and consider different perspectives.
What is something about you that you would like voters to know that they might not learn from your campaign platform?
I'm someone who doesn't do things halfway. When I care about something, I put my whole heart into it. I'm curious, determined, and not afraid to take on a challenge, even when the path forward isn't clear. Perhaps most importantly, I've always been driven by curiosity and by the belief that we don't have to simply accept problems as they are. And while I take my work and commitments seriously, I don't take myself too seriously. I value kindness, humour, and the relationships we build along the way.
Where can people find you?
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61592178761190
Website: www.votesuzanne.ca/
