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Leslie Steel
Leslie (she/her) is excited to be running for City Council in Ward 9. She is a lifelong Sudburian: educated in Greater Sudbury, she also raised her family in the city and was employed in public service for over 30 years. She comes from a family of entrepreneurs who have always been immersed in business and keen to help Sudbury grow in the right direction. She is a tireless advocate working in the field of Social Services and is presently a Patient & Family Advisor at Health Sciences North and the Chair of the Northern Initiative for Social Action (a Peer Lead Organization of persons with lived experience of mental health challenges/mental illness). The Northern Initiative for Social Action is member-driven and offers meaningful and useful programs, and believes in active recovery rather than passive dependence on community services.
Leslie Marie Steel is running for Council in Ward 9 in Greater Sudbury.
Leslie (she/her) is excited to be running for City Council in Ward 9. She is a lifelong Sudburian: educated in Greater Sudbury, she also raised her family in the city and was employed in public service for over 30 years. She comes from a family of entrepreneurs who have always been immersed in business and keen to help Sudbury grow in the right direction. She is a tireless advocate, working in the field of Social Services, and is presently a Patient & Family Advisor at Health Sciences North and the Chair of the Northern Initiative for Social Action (a Peer Lead Organization of persons with lived experience of mental health challenges/mental illness). The Northern Initiative for Social Action is member-driven and offers meaningful and useful programs, and believes in active recovery rather than passive dependence on community services.
Why are you running for this position?
I am running for council because we need to change the direction and attitude of the government in this city, and I am ready to be that strong, creditable, and cooperative representation.
What innovative projects would enhance life in your municipality?
Besides the obvious better roads, sidewalks, bike paths etc., more diversity would greatly enhance Ward 9. We need to promote our beautiful city through tourism and better economic development opportunities, which will attract and include different population groups with different ideas. We need to create communities that reinforce those differences to enhance our lives.
If you received a $1 million grant to use for your municipality any way you wanted, what would you do with it?
Well, unfortunately, 1 million is not a lot in this day and age, but I might use it to attract developers to start looking for workable ideas to plan for the construction of affordable housing.
What do you think are the greatest challenges your municipality faces?
Ward 9 is extremely large geographically, and the constituents have competing ideas in many cases. Coniston has an amazing community that supports its residents with several initiatives run primarily by volunteers. I believe the South End needs to embrace "meaningful development" by being conscious of wildlife/environmental/safety responsibilities and transportation needs. Basically, like the rest of Sudbury, Ward 9 needs to identify their priorities and create workable ideas for success
Other than the official ways of communicating (minutes, municipal notes), how else will you reach out to your constituents to involve them in the decision making process?
I have knocked on hundreds of doors so far and basically people just want to be heard. They don't want you to send them minutes or notes or forward them links to other websites, they just want you to listen to them. I would hold more community meetings to engage constituents. I do have a website (www.LeslieSteel.ca) or you can follow me on Facebook at Leslie Steel 4 Ward 9.
What is your favourite thing to do in your municipality?
Swim in the lakes, eat at our amazing restaurants and work in my garden.
Why do you think it’s important for women to be represented in civic leadership, including on committees, boards and municipal councils?
My parents instilled in me the confidence to know that my opinions were to be valued. That is the message that I want to give other women to encourage them to pursue leadership roles because we belong at the table making decisions. Women have different ideas and different ways of handling situations. After all, it takes some amazing skills to take care of your home, raise your children, be there for your aging parents, babysit your grandchildren, walk a dog and be engaged at your full-time job. Let's hope in a few years, we will be having a different conversation about women in the workplace. So again, it comes down to diversity which has been absent at the Municipal level
Please identify the most critical policy, project, or initiative in your platform that addresses systemic barriers faced by women in your municipality, and describe why:
My first priority: Social Inclusion. That says it all!
Where can people find you?
Learn about the other women running in the 2022 Ontario Municipal Election in Northern Ontario.
Marie Murphy-Foran
Marie (she/her) was first elected and began her journey as a trustee in 2018. Her background and experience in community leadership and engagement lend themselves to an understanding of the importance of advocacy and governance. The past four years have provided her with a better understanding of the framework in education at the local, district and provincial levels.
Marie Murphy-Foran is running for School Board Trustee for the Algoma District School Board in Elliot Lake.
Marie (she/her) was first elected and began her journey as a trustee in 2018. Her background and experience in community leadership and engagement lend themselves to an understanding of the importance of advocacy and governance. The past four years have provided her with a better understanding of the framework in education at the local, district and provincial levels.
Why are you running for this position?
My passion for education results from seeing the complexities and challenges of the education system as a mother, spouse, coach, professor, and trustee. My two children graduated from Elliot Lake Secondary School, and through their high school career and beyond, I was an active member of the athletic community, having coached basketball for ten years. I continued to expand my love of Elliot Lake Secondary School by teaching the Duel Credit Tourism and Hospitality as a professor at Sault College.
I firmly believe that our future is dependent on all students gaining the necessary skills, knowledge, attitudes and values to succeed in a global market. Algoma District School Board has a student success framework based on student-centred learning, achievement, engagement and wellness. A philosophy we keep in the forefront is, “Education is not just about delivering diplomas. It’s about delivering better lives…better futures”.
What innovative projects would enhance life in your municipality?
The community of Elliot Lake would benefit from a broader understanding of inter-generational programs. There is a remarkable resource of retirees that have moved to our community with expertise, skills and abilities that could complement school programs.
Over time, we have unfortunately segregated retirees from other populations in the community. The opportunity would see a garden program at each school, partnering with the horticultural society or community seniors.
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 million dollars, I would use it to kick start a Community Foundation whose purpose would be to work with schools, not for profits to identify and fund community-based programs. This foundation would be based on shared costs and sweat equity of participants.
What do you think are the greatest challenges your municipality faces?
Forward-thinking.
Other than the official ways of communicating (minutes, municipal notes), how else will you reach out to your constituents to involve them in the decision making process?
I attend functions such as graduations and coop luncheons with students and businesses. I attend school meetings and scholarship banquets and represent the board on the Parent Involvement committee.
The past two years have allowed Educators opportunities to build relationships with parents and families, and Boards have been reminded of the vital role of parents, families and community in our schools.
The Parent Involvement Committee and school councils can and should provide an opportunity for engaging parents, families and the community at the board and school levels. My energies will be focused on working with the parents, families, schools and board representatives to ensure we have a framework for conversation, learning and support that allows all of us to make decisions regarding equity, inclusion and student-centred education. The Parent Involvement Committee is the conduit for parents, families and the community to support the board initiatives and become knowledgeable about programs, policies and directions or challenges facing the board. Algoma District School Board can now host virtual meetings, bringing outlying areas for seminars, symposiums or presentations into a virtual meeting space.
As to school councils, the more we share what is happening board-wide will open the lens to our program opportunities in the outlying districts. When we talk about programming in technology, robotics, coding, outdoor education and other special programs such as high skills majors in healthcare, tourism/hospitality, construction trades etc, it would be beneficial to make the community aware. Our board offers numerous co-op options to meet some of their workforce needs. The school council is a conduit for establishing a sense of belonging for all students and parents. It can also be the conduit for tough discussions about equity, inclusion, diversity, achievement and well-being.
What is your favourite thing to do in your municipality?
The outdoors for summer fishing and ice-fishing.
Why do you think it’s important for women to be represented in civic leadership, including on committees, boards and municipal councils?
Until we no longer have policies that discriminate against women or any diverse group, we need to have women and diverse groups as fair representatives in a community,
What does a ‘feminist city’ mean to you?
A feminist city means a community that recognizes principles of equality but takes it one step further to equity. My favourite saying is, “Yes, we give everybody a pair of shoes, fair and equal, but equity ensures the shoes fit.”
In a community, we have so many diverse needs. One size does not fit all.
Please identify the most critical policy, project, or initiative in your platform that addresses systemic barriers faced by women in your municipality, and describe why:
My goal is to enhance involvement in the Parent Involvement committee and the School Councils as a conduit for local citizens to participate in a positive role, learn in a leadership role, run meetings and share information etc., all leading to a positive impact for students in the schools.
The school councils should welcome any diverse group as an avenue for participation, learning and giving feedback.
The school council could give a great experience for someone wanting to be a trustee in the future.
Where can people find you?
Facebook
Email
http://ontarioschootrustees.org
Learn about the other women running in the 2022 Ontario Municipal Election in Northern Ontario.
Leah Vanderwey
Leah (she/her) retired two years ago after 33 years in education. She has worked for Lakehead Public Schools, three regional school boards, and the Ministry of Education in various roles, including teacher, principal, superintendent, Student Achievement Officer, and Thunder Bay regional manager for Field Services. Many of these roles allowed her to work with different staff and students across Northwestern Ontario. Those work opportunities provided Leah with not only a local perspective but a regional and provincial one. As a Trustee, she believes she can bring that breadth of knowledge as the elected board of trustees participates in making decisions that would benefit all schools and their communities. She remains committed to quality education and would love the opportunity to be a voice of education experience for the community at the trustee table.
Leah Vanderwey is running for School Board Trustee for the Lakehead Public School Board in Thunder Bay.
Leah (she/her) retired two years ago after 33 years in education. She has worked for Lakehead Public Schools, three regional school boards, and the Ministry of Education in various roles, including teacher, principal, superintendent, Student Achievement Officer, and Thunder Bay regional manager for Field Services. Many of these roles allowed her to work with different staff and students across Northwestern Ontario. Those work opportunities provided Leah with not only a local perspective but a regional and provincial one. As a Trustee, she believes she can bring that breadth of knowledge as the elected board of trustees participates in making decisions that would benefit all schools and their communities. She remains committed to quality education and would love the opportunity to be a voice of education experience for the community at the trustee table.
Why are you running for this position?
Lakehead Public Schools is a system that faces many of the challenges of Northwestern Ontario: isolated schools, rural schools, and urban schools. I am running for this position to help bring the different communities' voices to the trustee table.
What do you think are the greatest challenges your municipality faces?
After listening to the session, Deconstructing the Reconciliation Conversation, I was struck by a question the speaker asked about Every Child Matters. The question was, "What matters to every child?" Perhaps to start to answer the question, we might look at a partnership with the city and schools to collect voices from children and their parents/guardians to determine what matters to every child in our municipality.
If you received a $1 million grant to use for your municipality any way you wanted, what would you do with it?
I would apply it to the project above so that the needs of our children are being identified and met within the community.
What do you think are the greatest challenges your municipality faces?
The greatest challenges that our municipality faces are drug addiction, gangs, and violence.
Other than the official ways of communicating (minutes, municipal notes), how else will you reach out to your constituents to involve them in the decision making process?
Social media. Opportunities to meet with parent groups or holding town hall meetings.
What is your favourite thing to do in your municipality?
I love to curl, play ball, and walk the various walking trails in Thunder Bay and the surrounding areas.
Why do you think it’s important for women to be represented in civic leadership, including on committees, boards and municipal councils?
I think it is important for women to be represented so that we are role models to others that we provide value added leadership to committees, boards, and municipal councils.
What does a ‘feminist city’ mean to you?
A "feminist city" means women are equally represented and respected for their work.
Please identify the most critical policy, project, or initiative in your platform that addresses systemic barriers faced by women in your municipality, and describe why:
In education, the systemic barriers faced by women might begin in childhood. For example, are there any courses in secondary school that are largely male-dominated? If yes, this would provide an opportunity for staff to determine why that might be the case.
Where can people find you?
Learn about the other women running in the 2022 Ontario Municipal Election in Northern Ontario.
Angela Caputo
Angela (she/her) is a serial entrepreneur and community hype woman. In 2019, she was named Young Entrepreneur of the Year by Northern Ontario Business. In 2020 when the pandemic struck, she chaired an initiative to bring lunches to children in geared-to-income housing and was awarded by TD Canada Trust for doing so. Angela was recognized as 1 of 6 recipients across North America for the TD “Thank You” program for her commitment to her community. Her business, The Breakfast Pig, has been awarded and written about across Canada.
Angela Caputo is running for Council in Ward 3 in Sault Ste Marie.
Angela (she/her) is a serial entrepreneur and community hype woman. In 2019, she was named Young Entrepreneur of the Year by Northern Ontario Business. In 2020 when the pandemic struck, she chaired an initiative to bring lunches to children in geared-to-income housing and was awarded by TD Canada Trust for doing so. Angela was recognized as 1 of 6 recipients across North America for the TD “Thank You” program for her commitment to her community. Her business, The Breakfast Pig, has been awarded and written about across Canada.
Why are you running for this position?
I am a woman in her prime who is ready to effect positive change for Sault Ste Marie. I want to represent the demographic of women under 40 and moms, who often go unrepresented. My goal is to inspire women who will assist one another in realizing their dreams of running for public office. I also want my daughter to know she can do anything she wants, despite society's restrictions on women.
What do you think are the greatest challenges your municipality faces?
I think that Sault Ste Marie sells itself short. We do not believe in ourselves enough, and I intend to be a leader who changes that mindset.
Other than the official ways of communicating (minutes, municipal notes), how else will you reach out to your constituents to involve them in the decision making process?
I have enjoyed canvassing so much. I plan to canvass the neighbourhoods involved in specific decisions. I would also like to hold my own Ward Meetings and invite residents to discuss issues that will affect them. I am also a big social media advocate and plan to reach all demographics through the various platforms and use that to create polls and get feedback.
What is your favourite thing to do in your municipality?
I love taking walks through our hub trail, especially in the fall. Fall in Sault Ste. Marie is absolutely stunning.
Why do you think it’s important for women to be represented in civic leadership, including on committees, boards and municipal councils?
Women run their households, plan the bill of vacations, handle much of the financial duties and have very valuable opinions. Diversifying our leadership would bring vibrancy to every facet of government.
What does a ‘feminist city’ mean to you?
Feminism is the equality of the sexes. To me, a feminist city would be a place that does not put gender first and definitely does not use gender as a barrier. Women would be heard loud and clear and have their ideas implemented, and be given credit for them.
Where can people find you?
Learn about the other women running in the 2022 Ontario Municipal Election in Northern Ontario.
Julie Ann Bertram
Julie Ann (she/her) is a parent of 3 children attending schools within the NNDSB. Her background is in the arts, as a musician and writer. She has been running a business in West Nipissing for over ten years and sits on a few volunteer committees in her small community of Field. She believes that strong and progressive communities begin with a strong and progressive public education system.
Julie Ann Bertram is running for School Board Trustee in Zone 1 for the Near North District School Board in West Nipissing.
Julie Ann (she/her) is a parent of 3 children attending schools within the NNDSB. Her background is in the arts, as a musician and writer. She has been running a business in West Nipissing for over ten years and sits on a few volunteer committees in her small community of Field. She believes that strong and progressive communities begin with a strong and progressive public education system.
Why are you running for this position?
I can bring a different type of insight and expression to the table where the voices of our students, parents, teachers, and support staff are heard while upholding the progressing vision, mission, and values of the Board and the Ministry of Education. Concise communication between advocates, the Board, and policymakers is key to quickening action taken throughout the public education system.
With the pandemic came extra responsibilities at home, I became involved in my children’s schooling much more than I had ever planned. During this time, it was important for me to understand how they learned, what they missed about in-class learning, how they navigated online learning, and what they liked about learning from home. Now that most students are back in the classroom, I feel it urgent that extra academic assistance and mental/social health supports are available within schools to help alleviate the stress of the past few years. These observations, along with further discussions, can be beneficial to creating a future of education where our children are inspired, engaged, and well-prepared for the next stages of life in society.
What do you think are the greatest challenges your municipality faces?
The challenges our municipality faces are the same as most: a high cost of living, reduced quality of life, food insecurity, homelessness, problematic substance use, violence, and a rise in mental health issues combined with a lacking support system.
Other than the official ways of communicating (minutes, municipal notes), how else will you reach out to your constituents to involve them in the decision making process?
It is important to note how most people prefer to communicate these days.
Social media campaigns and direct emails with concise messaging, perhaps witty, and inventive correspondence from trustees to the community can surpass the traditional humdrum notices we all tend to ignore, and therefore tend to miss out on pertinent information. I feel a lack of humour in general has been a detriment to what should be an overall excitement as we help shape the future! We may want to take a step forward, away from the conventional solemnity that has been the norm.
Involving students in these communications is also important. Young people have generous and infectious energy that will automatically bring parents and community partners into the information fold.
Why do you think it’s important for women to be represented in civic leadership, including on committees, boards and municipal councils?
Women in leadership positions bring a less authoritative and more collaborative approach to the workplace, providing a different set of talents and imaginative solutions to the table. A creative perspective and unique sensitivity allow for ideas that may otherwise be missed.
Where can people find you?
Facebook
mail@julieannbertram.com
289-970-0150
Learn about the other women running in the 2022 Ontario Municipal Election in Northern Ontario.
Marilyn Cully
Marilyn (she/her) is a widow, retired nurse, and licensed real estate agent. She has been on many committees over the years. She simply wants to help the people of Thunder Bay.
Marilyn Cully is running for Council-At-Large in Thunder Bay.
Marilyn (she/her) is a widow, retired nurse, and licensed real estate agent. She has been on many committees over the years. She simply wants to help the people of Thunder Bay.
Why are you running for this position?
I want to help the people of Thunder Bay.
What innovative projects would enhance life in your municipality?
A health unit with a police station in the downtown core to help the mental health patients and needy on the streets. The police station with two police who actually walk the beat day and night can be where the action is all the time. A care station with food and an extra health unit for people in need. Being a mental health nurse, I feel this is needed in Thunder Bay's three most crime-related areas.
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 money toward the stations mentioned above, as they are so needed in Thunder Bay: Simpson Street, Cumberland Street and Frederica Street.
What do you think are the greatest challenges your municipality faces?
Crime and needy
Mental Health
Infrastructure
High taxes
Garbage and snow removal
Other than the official ways of communicating (minutes, municipal notes), how else will you reach out to your constituents to involve them in the decision making process?
I will take phone calls as I have my phone number and emails on all my signs and will also sit down and listen to concerns and create events and fundraisers to create funds to help.
What is your favourite thing to do in your municipality?
I love simple things like walking the marina, singing karaoke and going to free dances outside or any outside events in winter or soccer and football baseball games. I feel people need more inexpensive events. Thunder Bay has excellent entertainment, and we can utilize our own musicians and any type of entertainment.
Why do you think it’s important for women to be represented in civic leadership, including on committees, boards and municipal councils?
Women have different perspectives on things than men. A lot of time, they are more family-orientated and include the children. I have worked on many committees over the years, such as JaycettesLyonettes Minor Football, taught Sunday School and see the need for a woman’s influence in sports and somewhat of a gentle touch in all activities.
What does a ‘feminist city’ mean to you?
To me, it is just giving the whole picture as in the past, most politicians were men and all things were black and white — I mean, somewhat biased. This way, we should have a true picture of a society with a little of a woman’s way of doing things and maybe a lighter touch.
Please identify the most critical policy, project, or initiative in your platform that addresses systemic barriers faced by women in your municipality, and describe why:
Systematic barriers would be getting our point across as more men are always out there to outweigh the situation. We will have to do a lot of research and have conferences with many to get our point across, especially in the finance areas and social aspects of our city.