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.
Justine Mallah is a councillor in North Bay.
What initially inspired or motivated you to run for council, and how did you envision your role before being elected?
North Bay is a beautiful city with immense potential. I ran for Council because I wanted to make North Bay a safer, healthier, and more enjoyable place to live, and I didn't believe that was the direction being taken. Citizens are the heart of North Bay and deserve a City Council that puts the community first. I envisioned my role as being very much a representative of the public, listening to and advancing the collective values and priorities of the people of North Bay within the jurisdiction of City Council.
How did your expectations or perceptions change once you took office?
Progress really does take time.
Were there any surprises or unexpected aspects about the role?
I didn't expect how challenging the budget process would be. Municipalities have very tight budgets, and they're only getting tighter. The city’s budget covers, for example, roads, road maintenance, parks, transit, garbage, recreation, and water. With the significant increase in inflation, the costs of maintaining services, such as paving roads, significantly skyrocketed compared to the previous year. We also know that people are struggling, and many can't afford property tax increases. This has made for differing opinions and difficult decisions. For example: How can we maintain our services without tax increases or service cuts? How can we improve efficiencies? How much in reserves can we afford to use? What services/projects should be added or taken away? What does the data show us? Do we have enough information to make an informed decision?
What do you wish people knew about running for office, based on your own experience?
Being a City Councillor is a rewarding experience. You will gain a deeper understanding of the inner workings of your municipality, connect with diverse changemakers, and engage in stimulating discussions and important decisions that will impact the future of your community. But it isn't for everyone. Being a Councillor involves a lot of meetings, long reports, and an often overwhelming amount of emails. It's important to do your homework. Attend Council meetings, join a board, and get as involved in your community as possible. If you believe it's for you, I recommend doorknocking during the election period. It's time-consuming but also the most effective form of campaigning.
What are the significant milestones or accomplishments you’ve achieved during your tenure so far?
Working collaboratively with fellow City Council members, City staff, and several agencies, boards, and commissions, I am proud to have:
Advanced free recreation for families with the approval of a new inclusive Rotary playground and a Kiwanis All-Wheel Park.
Prioritized increasing the housing supply through the Housing Action Plan, Growth Community Improvement Plan, and Housing Accelerator Fund.
Achieved an increase in new housing development compared to the past 2 years, totalling 163 new dwelling units as of November 2023.
Supported the building of 60 new affordable housing units through a partnership between DNSSAB’s NDHC and the Ontario Aboriginal Housing Services Corporation.
Improved community safety and well-being by implementing a security and outreach team.
Secured a warming centre location before winter began.
Advanced road safety by increasing the number of community safety zones and moving forward with a road safety strategy.
Increased accessibility at the North Bay Public Library by no longer requiring a permanent address to obtain a library card.
Enhanced the beauty of our park spaces with art panels at Sunset and Champlain Parks and by supporting Clean Green Beautiful North Bay’s sculpture project.
Funded local artist initiatives through the Creative Industries Arts Fund Micro-Grants.
What valuable lessons have you learned or insights gained that you'd like to share with others considering a similar path in politics?
Every Council member comes into office with their own goals. However, resources are limited so not every goal will be achieved. It's important to work together, value each other's perspectives and expertise, and identify common priorities early on. I also learned to avoid reading online news outlets' comment sections
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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.
