Joyce Timpson is running for council in Sioux Lookout.
Joyce has PhD in social work from Wilfrid Laurier University and is now semi-retired. For 4 decades, she has worked for First Nations north of Sioux Lookout in mental health and research. Having served 4 terms on Council, her accomplishments include the development of an Environment Committee, laying of groundwork for the establishment of a Friendship Accord between the Municipality and 4 northern First Nations, working towards women's involvement in municipal politics, and bringing a woman's perspective to a predominantly male council as one of only 2 women of the 4 Councils on which she has served.
Why are you running for this position?
Although thinking of retiring, I received much encouragement from the community to submit papers for another term on Council.
What innovative projects would enhance life in your municipality?
Capitalize on the beauty of the area by making a wilderness area close to the municipality more accessible to the public and suitable for more wilderness activities
If you received a $1 million grant to use for your municipality any way you wanted, what would you do with it?
I would use it to enhance the above mentioned wilderness area now used for hiking, cycling, cross country skiing. I would fund an accessible road, install toilet facilities and make existing cabins suitable for rental.
What do you think are the greatest challenges your municipality faces?
Housing to accommodate the growth while ensuring that the growth is accompanied by services that will ensure high quality of life.
Other than the official communication methods (minutes, municipal notes), how else will you reach out to your constituents to involve them in the decision making process?
Establish a Facebook Page.
What is your favourite thing to do in your municipality?
I enjoy stepping in for the Mayor delivering greetings at events such as graduations, grand openings, conferences etc
Why do you think it’s important for women to be represented in civic leadership, including on committees, boards and municipal councils?
Women comprise more than 50% of the population and are the predominant caregivers and drivers of domestic and family life. Government decision making affects everything women do but is based on an antiquated system that favours debate over discussion, majority rule over consensus, rules over common sense. We should not simply be "represented". We should be equally represented. As a result, the system favours the worldview and roles of men.
What does a ‘feminist city’ mean to you?
Access to public transit, robust day care, Council which accommodates meeting schedules to women's lives and allows for more virtual participation, streets with curbs that accommodate carriages etc....basically a city designed to accommodate females and males, not only males.
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:
To allow or more women's voices in decision making, we need to accommodate council to the realities of women's lives such as accommodating meeting schedules to the realities of women's lives, and allowing for more virtual participation in meetings..
Where can people find you?
Cllr Joyce Timpson Facebook Page
