Deb McIntosh is running for Council of Ward 9 in Greater Sudbury.
As a resident of Ward 9, Deb (she/her) has served in the community for the past 8 years. During that time, she chaired the Planning, Operations and Audit Committees of council, and was the Vice-Chair of the Finance Committee. She sat on the Greater Sudbury Economic Development Board, the Nickel District Conservation Authority and the Solid Waste, Public Art, Sustainable Mobility, Newcomer and Watershed Advisory Panels. During this past term of Council, she served on the Board of Directors of the Association for the Municipalities of Ontario and the Ontario Municipal Water Association. Her educational background is in accounting, and her work before being elected was as the Executive Director of Rainbow Routes Association and the Sudbury Food Bank. She is a recipient of a YWCA Woman of Distinction Award and a Community Builders Award for her work with Rainbow Routes Association. She is a Mom and Gramma.
Why are you running for this position?
Council launched several initiatives during our last term that I would like to see through to completion. I’d also like to initiate other projects related to my platform priorities. (www.debmcintosh.ca)
Being a City Councillor is first and foremost an opportunity for public service. Over my two terms on council, I have enjoyed working with residents throughout Ward 9 on a range of exciting community projects. I was also able to help many individual residents in their dealings with the municipality. Through all of this, I continue to learn and hope to have the opportunity to apply that knowledge in the next term to accomplish, even more, working for and with the citizens of Greater Sudbury.
What innovative projects would enhance life in your municipality?
More housing options would enhance our community's wellbeing. Availability, as well as affordability, are key to our community's future success. Tiny Homes and Co-housing developments are just two innovative options that need to be explored more fully.
If you received a $1 million grant to use for your municipality any way you wanted, what would you do with it?
Coming from the not-for-profit sector, my first response would be to leverage that $1m into $3 or $5 million from other levels of government and the private sector. Then I would consult with the community on what project or program they thought would positively impact the greatest number of people.
What do you think are the greatest challenges your municipality faces?
Short answer: Old road, bridges, pipes and buildings and how geographically large our municipality is.
What is your favourite thing to do in your municipality?
Work with individuals and community groups to solve problems and get things done.
Why do you think it’s important for women to be represented in civic leadership, including on committees, boards and municipal councils?
A woman's life experience is unique both individually and collectively. It is important that women are at the table to voice thoughts and opinions that may be different that our male colleagues; opinions and thoughts that may prod new and innovative thinking. It is important that the diversity we see in our community be reflected at the Board or Council tables so as to fairly represent the community we live in.
What does a ‘feminist city’ mean to you?
I believe that regardless of your gender that everyone should have equal access to municipal services, and it is partially through that lens that I make decisions. I also consider in my decision-making that there are those who fall through the cracks and need additional assistance from the municipality and the community as a whole. Given my own life experience, I recognize and highlight the times that it is women fell through the cracks. A "feminist city" pulls people out of the "cracks" and then seals up the "cracks".
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Where can people find you?
http://www.debmcintosh.ca/
