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Donica LeBlanc
Donica LeBlanc is a School Board Trustee for the Lakehead District School Board in Thunder Bay.
In our ongoing effort to spotlight the experiences of women in municipal politics, we reached out to those elected in the 2022 municipal elections in Northern Ontario. We asked these newly elected councillors and trustees to share their insights and reflections on the transition from candidate to council. Here are their candid and firsthand accounts of the challenges, surprises, and lessons learned along the way.
Donica LeBlanc is a School Board Trustee for the Lakehead District School Board in Thunder Bay.
What initially inspired or motivated you to run for council, and how did you envision your role before being elected?
As a retired educator, education remains a passion as it is the most important way to improve lives. I wanted to become a trustee to see things from another perspective and be a voice for the community.
How did your expectations or perceptions change once you took office?
Not a lot. [It] was a learning curve in relation to understanding the role of the trustee and the politics of running meetings and how each meeting has a specific purpose. My role continuously reminds me I am here for the children.
Were there any surprises or unexpected aspects of the role?
I love being invited to events and the schools. I learn so much and appreciate the hard work of staff to make life better for students. The trustee relationships surprised me. A great group of people!
What were the biggest challenges you faced when transitioning from a candidate to an elected official?
Learning the role. Completing the online training was onerous. Wading through the material, building relationships with the trustees (some have been there a while, others were new), and then running for Vice-Chair!
What do you wish people knew about running for office, based on your own experience?
Running for office — [be] in the public eye, listen to people, [and] make people aware of what a trustee does. There is some paperwork and accounting, but it is not difficult when running for a trustee position.
What were the significant milestones or accomplishments you achieved during your tenure?
Learning the role, building relationships with great people, [and] being part of OPSBA and its fantastic PD.
On the flip side, what were the challenges you faced during your first year, and how did you navigate or address them?
Some challenging issues or situations to resolve. Getting through the training and then trying to implement it.
Were there specific instances or experiences that significantly impacted your approach to governance or leadership?
Marion Thompson's training on Governance and the Good Governance Guide were crucial in learning about the role. Learning to run a proper meeting and being part of committees.
What valuable lessons have you learned or insights gained that you'd like to share with others considering a similar path in politics?
Be fair, have an open mind, and be prepared to work with people who may have very opposing opinions to your own. Learn to navigate that while simultaneously being a collective voice.
What do you wish people knew about working as a politician, based on your experience?
You have to be a people person; you have to be comfortable with conflict, and sometimes work [with] the people to make things happen.
Where can people find you?
These profiles are part of our ongoing series featuring women councillors and trustees elected through the ElectNOW initiative. Surveys were sent to all woman councillors and trustees who participated in the 2022 ElectNOW series. While some answers have been edited for clarity and spelling, the responses provided are the candidates' own and do not necessarily reflect the views of PoliticsNOW. If you are a woman councillor, mayor, or trustee residing in Northern Ontario and would like to be featured in this series, please fill out our survey.
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.
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.
Where can people find you?
Learn about the other women running in the 2022 Ontario Municipal Election in Northern Ontario.
Kelly Fettes
Kelly Fettes aims to offer the fresh perspective of a community-minded parent with a goal to advocate for students actively and prepare them to thrive and grow. Her perspective is important in the quest to improve the school experience, making it work for all students, parents, teachers, and partners alike. Kelly has served on a number of volunteer boards, including Little Lions Waldorf Daycare, Leadership Thunder Bay, and most recently, the Thunder Bay Country Market. These commitments have included executive designations (President & Vice-President) and Director at large. She is an active volunteer who strives to improve this community, donating her time to several community initiatives. Currently, Kelly is employed as an Administrative Officer at Lakehead University, where she utilizes her superior skills in staff, client and stakeholder relationships and provides her expertise in administrative procedures and protocols.
Kelly Fettes is running for School Board Trustee for the Lakehead District School Board in Thunder Bay.
Kelly arrived in Northern Ontario in 1988 to attend Lakehead University, and since that time she has called Thunder Bay home. After graduating Lakehead University, Kelly continued her education at Confederation College. She began her career in June of 1994 and has worked in the local travel industry, event coordination and office management. She is very passionate and supportive of local small businesses and the economic growth of the city and region. Kelly believes in giving back to her community, growing healthy teams and lifting up those around her to reach their goals. She has sat on a variety of volunteer boards and committees. As a committed community volunteer and parent, Kelly strives to model leadership and community values for her son.
Why are you running for this position?
Kelly believes she can offer a fresh perspective of a community-minded parent who aims to actively advocate for students and prepare them as they thrive and grow in the Thunder Bay District. Her perspective is an important one in the quest to improve the school experience, making it work for all students, parents, teachers, and partners alike.
For several years, Kelly has volunteered on various types of not-for-profit boards, which have included Little Lions Waldorf Daycare, Leadership Thunder Bay, and most recently, the Thunder Bay Country Market. These commitments have included executive designations (President & Vice-President) as well as Director at large. To Kelly, boards are teams, and she believes that if we live in a community, we need to find ways to help make everyone’s lives better, especially our children’s. Kelly is an active volunteer and strives to make this community better, donating her time to a number of community initiatives.
Currently, Kelly is employed as an Administrative Officer at Lakehead University, where she utilizes her superior skills in staff, client and stakeholder relationships and provides her expertise in administrative procedures and protocols. Kelly’s current work, past board governance, and community service experience, combined with her passion for making positive change for the youth who are the future of Northwestern Ontario, make her a winning candidate for the role of School Trustee.
What innovative projects would enhance life in your municipality?
I would like to see the creation of more youth advisory groups (of all ages) to discuss their thoughts and ideas on what multiple initiatives would be of interest to youth in our community. This list may include ideas around types of indoor/outdoor physical activities to the arts, including music, theatre, story writing, photography, paint, etc. to life experience activities such as cooking and food knowledge, simple accounting, to coding or STEM experiences to prepare them for a future career. Life is changing so fast for our youth today, and asking them to identify what interests them may be a key to keeping them engaged and active
If you received a $1 million grant to use for your municipality any way you wanted, what would you do with it?
One million dollars doesn’t go as far as one would think these days but investing in elementary youth culinary programs would be a start to teaching food basics, including food preparation, ingredients (local growing and farming practices), health and wellness, as well as life skills at an early age. With our schools made up of many diverse backgrounds, students would have opportunities to learn about the food culture backgrounds of their peers. The one common language we all speak is food. It nourishes the body and helps our brains and bodies grow. In today’s world, families are made up of many dynamics, and young people are relied upon to help more around the home, this includes meal prep, kitchen cleaning and safe practices. It is said, “the kitchen is the heart of the home”, let’s help educate our youth of all ages on the proper ways of enjoyment of being in the kitchen.
What do you think are the greatest challenges your municipality faces?
Our community is facing several social, and economic challenges, three of the challenges include an increased rate of homelessness, high crime rates and the continuing high costs of housing and maintaining a home.
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?
Working with a school board’s communications department on a campaign of how to get more parents to participate in their child’s schools. Updates, newsletters, policies, and procedures are key when keeping up to date with your child’s educational experience. Communication between parents, teachers, and students will make decision-making processes clearer and more beneficial to the student, who the Board Trustees are responsible for advocating for.
What is your favourite thing to do in your municipality?
I have lived in Thunder Bay for over 34 years and have always enjoyed what our outdoors has to offer to all ages and families. This summer, I discovered the joys of our local running, hiking and biking trails. These trails are truly an amazing source of nature and exercise and an excellent place to find solitude for the soul.
Why do you think it’s important for women to be represented in civic leadership, including on committees, boards and municipal councils?
It is important for women to be represented at all levels of leadership, and we all have a role to play in taking on new opportunities. Challenging ourselves to share, give, or do more in our community is an important action, whether on a volunteer level or advancing one’s career. The female perspective is an important part of creating an equitable society. Women are poorly represented in all levels of politics. We need to learn to lift each other up and encourage each other to take on new challenges.
What does a ‘feminist city’ mean to you?
I believe in equality for both sexes, but I also believe it goes beyond “sex” and includes different gender identities, cultures and backgrounds. It means we strive to create a more diverse community in which we can all live, work, volunteer and play and where we all feel safe in our community. A city in which we can feel free of discrimination to discuss real-life issues, make changes to policies or guidelines when necessary and advocate for all students regardless of age, race, ethnicity, creed, nationality, sexual orientation or personal circumstance. I believe in equal opportunities for all genders.
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:
An initiative to continue to reduce harmful gender roles and stereotypes by educating our young girls and young women on the importance of their value and voice as a person. It is important to continue to offer and enhance STEM and extra-curricular activities and programs for young girls and young women, to give them the tools and confidence they need to enhance their future goals.
Where can people find you?
TBPL - Candidate Debates
Learn about the other women running in the 2022 Ontario Municipal Election in Northern Ontario.
Ellen Chambers
Ellen has spent her entire career in education, beginning as an elementary teacher and then continuing in the classroom and special education. She was the president of the local Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario (ETFO) and an ETFO Provincial Executive Member. She advocated locally, provincially, and nationally for LGBTTQI+ students’ rights and safety. Ellen was on the Project Advisory Panel for the Egale First National Survey on Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia in Canadian Schools. She is co-chair of Diversity Thunder Bay (DTB), chair of DTB Education Committee, volunteer for Birds Canada, and a founding member and past co-chair of Thunder Pride. She is the recipient of the ETFO provincial Humanitarian Award, the ETFO President’s Award, the Thunder Bay Mayor’s Hero Award and the Thunder Pride Visionary Award. Her passion is education and children. Her love is her family and friends (and dogs and nature). She pledges to help whenever she can.
Ellen Chambers is running for School Board Trustee for the Lakehead District School Board in Thunder Bay.
Ellen (she/her) has spent her entire career in education, beginning as an elementary teacher and then continuing in the classroom and special education. She was the president of the local Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario (ETFO) and an ETFO Provincial Executive Member. She advocated locally, provincially, and nationally for LGBTTQI+ students’ rights and safety. Ellen was on the Project Advisory Panel for the Egale First National Survey on Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia in Canadian Schools. She is co-chair of Diversity Thunder Bay (DTB), chair of DTB Education Committee, volunteer for Birds Canada, and a founding member and past co-chair of Thunder Pride. She is the recipient of the ETFO provincial Humanitarian Award, the ETFO President’s Award, the Thunder Bay Mayor’s Hero Award and the Thunder Pride Visionary Award. Her passion is education and children. Her love is her family and friends (and dogs and nature). She pledges to help whenever she can.
Why are you running for this position?
I am passionate about public education and believe that trustees make a difference through their decisions in the lives and education of children. Trustees are the only elected officials whose sole existence is in regard to children and their education.
What innovative projects would enhance life in your municipality?
In regard to education, I believe that the new strategic plan at Lakehead Public Schools with the Indigenous Learning Framework will take our schools and children to a better place in our commitment to Reconciliation. Anti-racism and anti-discrimination projects will enhance the lives of people in our community.
If you received a $1 million grant to use for your municipality any way you wanted, what would you do with it?
End homelessness.
What do you think are the greatest challenges your municipality faces?
Safety and equity for all.
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.
What is your favourite thing to do in your municipality?
Work on anti-racism.
Why do you think it’s important for women to be represented in civic leadership, including on committees, boards and municipal councils?
Women are 50% and more of the population without our voice how can you say the committee etc. has the voice of the people.
What does a ‘feminist city’ mean to you?
All women are represented and are safe and no longer exploited.
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:
I am a school trustee seeking re-election I work to ensure that all children are safe and receive an equitable and the best education we can provide.
Where can people find you?
Learn about the other women running in the 2022 Ontario Municipal Election in Northern Ontario.
Yuk-Sem Won
Yuk-Sem Won is a Labour Law litigator, Part-Time Faculty Member at Confederation College specializing in Business, and has a background in Education. She has raised her family, established her career and has over 30 years of volunteering and governance experience, including the Thunder Bay District Labour Council, TBay Business Women’s Network, Accueil francophone, TBay Chinese Canadian Association, and the Orange Abinoojiinh Movement for Residential School Survivors. She has never been able to ‘just wait’ for change to happen but chooses to invest time and energy to be a part of the change she wants to see. This is the foundation of her community leadership and interest in politics. As Neebing Ward Councillor, she wants to bring her experience, knowledge, and advocacy skills to city council. She appreciates the non-partisan structure of municipal politics, focusing on collaboration and respectful advocacy for the needs of the people, economic development and the community's well-being.
Yuk-Sem Won is running for Council in Neebing Ward in Thunder Bay.
Yuk-Sem Won (she/her/elle) is a Labour Law litigator, Part-Time Faculty Member at Confederation College specializing in Business, and has a background in Education. She has raised her family, established her career and has over 30 years of volunteering and governance experience, including the Thunder Bay District Labour Council, TBay Business Women’s Network, Accueil francophone, TBay Chinese Canadian Association, and the Orange Abinoojiinh Movement for Residential School Survivors. She has never been able to ‘just wait’ for change to happen but chooses to invest time and energy to be a part of the change she wants to see. This is the foundation of her community leadership and interest in politics. As Neebing Ward Councillor, she wants to bring her experience, knowledge, and advocacy skills to city council. She appreciates the non-partisan structure of municipal politics, focusing on collaboration and respectful advocacy for the needs of the people, economic development and the well-being of the community.
Why are you running for this position?
I have been involved in the background of politics for 20 years and was a candidate in the 2019 and 2021 Federal elections. My community engagement, leadership and knowledge of issues across the Northwest have been recognized and valued at many levels. I have decided to focus my efforts on the people of Thunder Bay and my Ward of Neebing to ensure we have a strong experienced voice at City Council. I am a trusted and experienced voice in Thunder Bay and have a proven record of positive engagement and advocacy that I believe our Ward needs over the next four years.
What innovative projects would enhance life in your municipality?
I believe that Thunder Bay must focus on improving the quality of life for all residents, investing wisely in projects and programs that are founded on equity and access. We need to work together as a Council to review proposals such as the sports complex, mental health and addictions rehabilitation, affordable housing and safe/accessible community spaces.
If you received a $1 million grant to use for your municipality any way you wanted, what would you do with it?
I would leverage the money with funding opportunities to focus on a mental health rehabilitation centre for the Northwest. Alternatively, on a smaller scale in the Ward, I would leverage the monies for safe and accessible pedestrian walkways for Neebing.
What do you think are the greatest challenges your municipality faces?
The major issues are rooted in equity and affordability. We need to look at affordable housing, poverty, addictions, safety and economic development.
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 would like to engage the residents of the Ward in targeted and public consultation; be accessible for meeting with groups and individuals through calls, email or in-person visits; provide regular updates through email or mailing, as well as the potential for a newsletter for Ward residents. There is nothing quite like knocking door-to-door and meeting residents to ensure that they know who you are and can count on you to be there if and when they need you or when you as a Councilor need to hear from them.
What is your favourite thing to do in your municipality?
Neebing Ward is a haven of little corners of paradise: rural spaces within the City. Making the Ward more accessible for walking safely would be valued by all residents. Within Thunder Bay, my time has always been spent out in the community, participating and meeting people at events, bringing my family out to enjoy the many spaces that the City has to offer. I like to focus my time on events that bring awareness to equity, diversity and positive community projects. As a community leader, I value the many invitations and opportunities to celebrate programs and spaces and often organize events that enrich our lives.
Why do you think it’s important for women to be represented in civic leadership, including on committees, boards and municipal councils?
It has become both a buzzword and a taboo to talk about equity and diversity in leadership. The reality is that women and racialized voices are still very much under-represented. We need to realize that our decision-making and the way we behave are rooted in our lived experience, we each bring a way of thinking, acting, and questioning that has been built over our lifetimes. It is evident that there is a difference in lived experience, the understanding and impact of power and privilege, and how our differing experiences shape how we think and behave. True public representation must reflect the population we serve and have the voices, experiences and vision of diverse leadership.
What does a ‘feminist city’ mean to you?
My first reaction is to cringe, yes, even as a woman, because I have faced the backlash of trying to advocate for women and racialized issues in politics. I am sad that it is likely a societal reaction of thinking that in the year 2022, we don't need to talk about the word feminism anymore: aren't we done with that from the suffragette and women's lib movements of last century? Then my better sense jumps in, and I push past the taboo of the words to really think about what a feminist city could be. A city that has open and welcoming spaces for women; that values their issues and realities; that remembers to look at things from various perspectives; that focuses on projects and initiatives for their reality; that pays attention to the issues and concerns, taking the time and effort to view them with a lens of the reality of women (think safety, family, roles and responsibilities, etc); that always takes an equity lens on decisions because the voices and realities of all people are taken into consideration. That power and privilege are shared. That voices are given weight. That decisions can be different because of the lived realities of the societal roles, responsibilities and expectations of women. We need to strive for true representation of the population in leadership, especially within our City. And for that, people need to stop cringing at the word feminism and start accepting it as empowerment of half the population in a shared responsibility.
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:
The idea of a mental health and addictions centre for the Northwest is desperately needed and should have a component that focuses on women. The importance of safety in the community for women is a hushed conversation, and we need to bring focus and attention to it. The ideas of "general public" endeavours are great for accessibility, but we must also remember the voices and realities that are lost in the general, and forgotten by the public. We have to review each policy, project and initiative with a diversity lens, ensuring we make space and actively seek out these perspectives.
Social Media Handles
Where can people find you?
TBPL meet and greet Oct 3; email or call, or I hope to see you at your door!