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.
