HELLO, I'M YOUR NEIGHBOUR,
Natalie Labbee.
YOUR Ward 7 Candidate
Experience. Community. Commitment. Integrity
WHY AM I RUNNING?
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Simply put, I am running because I was asked. I am running to be a strong voice for YOU! I am running because I believe that great cities are built by great neighborhoods.
Did you know that Elections Ontario suggests that women running for office are often asked at least 8 times before they consider running for positions in levels of Government?
I wasn’t asked quite that many times, but I also have prior experience as a Municipal Councillor, so it really didn’t require too much mulling over it.
Natalie Labbee
WARD 7 CANDIDATE
Capreol, Falconbridge, Garson & Skead
(249)377-6197
A little about me
I am a firm believer that you never get a second chance to make a first impression and as you take a look this website, I want you to know that I see this opportunity as a very important job interview.
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I am a passionate, dynamic and experienced community leader with over 25 years experience in Volunteer Management, Community Events planning and Administration. Building relationships and making a positive difference for others each day is part of my DNA!
Bonus! I have been a Municipal Councillor in the past, so I understand what it takes to be your YOUR Ward 7 Councillor here in the Greater City of Sudbury!
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I offer a fresh perspective and solid examples of community leadership throughout Northern Ontario, so sit right back, grab a chair and I will tell you all about myself!
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HOW I HAVE BEEN PREPARING FOR THIS ROLE
Over the last decade, there’s been an increasing focus on encouraging more women to be part of municipal government. And although many organizations such as AMO, Politics Now and ElectHER are striving towards reaching gender parity by 2030 in politics for women, I don’t want this election to be solely about being a woman or because people want someone new. I want to win because of my own merit.
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Over the past four weeks, I have been very busy participating in Live Virtual meetings hosted by various communities such as Owen Sound, Grey Bruce and Whitby.
I sought out these sessions so that I could get a refresher of sorts. They were hosted by women who are current and past elected municipal officials and Councillors. There was so much information shared and lots of support in navigating the often muddy waters of running a successful campaign. What a value-added experience!
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I want to thank the countless people who have encouraged me over the years in my personal and professional life and who have asked me to run, especially former Mayor of Sudbury & MPP, Jim Gordon, who’s words of encouragement helped me make the decision to take the next steps.
The words of support and expressions of faith from former longtime City Councillor Ted Callaghan and outgoing Ward 7 Councillor, Mike Jakubo have also meant so much.
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I also have to acknowledge former Mayor of Capreol, Dave Kilgour for all of his genuine and kind words of support and encouragement every time we chatted.
I first met Dave in 2014 when I moved to Capreol. I attended a Capreol CAN meeting and I didn’t know a soul. I stepped up at that very first meeting and raised my hand to offer to take over the Capreol Santa Claus parade. After that meeting, Dave came to sit with me and he wanted to know all about me.
Over the next few years, we had many opportunities to chat. He wanted me to run in 2018 and it just wasn’t the right time. He has since passed away but I always have his pep talks in the back of my mind. I know he would be so proud that I am ready this time around.
WHAT LEADERSHIP MEANS TO ME
The beauty of leadership lies in the fact that a person does not need a formal title to prove that they are a leader. Instead, people follow leaders because of their values, vision, passion, purpose, inspiration and so much more.
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I am bold. I am brave, I am kind and I inspire people!
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It’s not about your title, power, or how many letters you have at the end of your last name; it’s all about inspiring people to believe in themselves, their gifts, and their potential. I’ve prided myself on being a person who has inspired and motivated others. People choose to follow me voluntarily. They trust me because they know I genuinely care. That is a big part of what makes a great leader!
I believe that my role in this life is to help people and that’s what drives me forward. It’s at the heart of everything I do.
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WHAT OTHERS WILL SAY ABOUT ME
I have had a lot of people describe me as having courage. Courage to speak up for what is right. Courage to challenge situations. Courage to make tough and sometimes unpopular decisions and the courage to be vulnerable in order to succeed.
When I believe in something strongly, I will fight for it. For me, the genesis for that is not being braver than anyone else. I know how tough this role is. I lived it for four years from 2010-2014 when I was on Council in northwestern Ontario.
If you ask those who know me, who have worked or volunteered with me, they will be synonymous in telling you that I am a gatherer of people. I rally people. They will also tell you that I am committed, hard-working and resourceful and that I show all the way up!
I also would like to believe that I have lead by example in so many aspects of my life – whether that be in my work or in the many volunteer organizations I have invested my time into over the past 25 years.
WHAT I STAND FOR
As a Council, we will have to make decisions on issues that are sometimes complex and often controversial. The position is one that is not an easy task.
My primary role is to represent Ward 7 and the people who live in it. Councillors provide a bridge between the community and the council.
The 3 main roles of a Councillor is to be a representative, a policy-maker and as a steward; I will be a true Ambassador for Ward 7 and for Greater Sudbury.
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As your newest Council member, my priority is to listen to residents, encourage opportunities for engagement and transform their feedback and views into meaningful action.
Engagement comes in all types of forms ~ I encourage you to participate in online forums about issues that are important to you! Write letters to the Editor. Attend local CAN meetings to find out what’s going on in your community. Engage with Council. Keep us accountable to you!
It’s also important to work collaboratively with all fellow Council members and City Staff, carefully considering all viewpoints. That is an ongoing priority for me. I want to be part of a team that helps bring decorum back to our Council meetings.
WHY ME?
Well, why NOT me? I have the experience, the drive and the reputation as a solid community leader who cares about our communities.
I don't come from money. My family is not well known.
Everything I have accomplished in my life and all that I have is because of hard work, determination and getting back up when I fall.
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I have worked for 2 municipalities and have been an elected Municipal Councillor. I have lived experience and understanding from both sides.
I have experience in Economic Development, Strategic Planning, managing staff and situational leadership training.
I have coordinated regional conferences and been a delegate at many as well, including AMO, FONOM, Ontario Good Roads and ROMA to name a few.
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I have been a small business owner. I actually started my own trucking company when I was only 23 years old. I developed a Business Proposal and submitted it to our local Development Corporation. They denied me the first time, but the Development Manager really believed in my abilities and my tenacity so he advocated for me and guess what? I got it! I was the youngest person to get approved for a Start Up loan at that time. And as a young female to boot!
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Logging contracts for the business took my spouse and I to various small communities across northwestern Ontario. I had to move every few years, but I immersed myself in each of those communities and sought out ways that I could share my experience, talents, time and ideas so that I could enhance the quality of life in the community. And I did just that!
Some of the projects included resurrecting a defunct Winter Carnival, starting an Entertainment Series and accessing touring grants that bridged shows and created partnerships with other isolated Northwestern Ontario communities and more! I look forward to sharing more about all of this with all of you over the coming months!
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I have sat on a Municipal Housing Board and I was asked to develop a deficit reduction plan on behalf of our Board that was presented and accepted by the Thunder Bay DSSAB regarding the status of our community as a Project in Difficulty (PID). I am extremely proud of my ability to contribute and make positive change on that level.
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Other aspects of my experience include working with Boards as a staff member, as well as being a Volunteer Board Chair & Member, realizing successful applications for project grants, cultivating meaningful relationships with stakeholders in various capacities, collaborating on many projects with all levels of government, and media relations.
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I have also spearheaded and coordinated many “Meet the Candidates” nights for the provincial and federal elections for Superior-North and Algoma-Manitoulin, and actually worked on the campaign trail for several Candidates for different parties since 1995.
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My volunteer experience is extensive. It spans over 25 years! It includes organizations such as Victim Services, the Blind River Beavers Jr. A Hockey club, organizing food drives, singing to raise money for Cancer, being a peer counselor for troubled Youth, organizing a fashion show to raise money for the Local Hospital auxiliary, managing both my Son’s hockey teams, being the Chairperson of the Entertainment Series, stepping up to running the canteen at our local downhill ski club, and most recently, joining the committee to get Capreol Days back up and running and as the Coordinator of the Capreol Santa Claus Parade since 2014, all of which I am so very proud of!
MY PRIORITIES
I will put Ward 7 & the residents of Greater Sudbury first.
I will encourage public engagement through regular reviews and hosting Town Halls to ensure we are meeting the community’s expectations. Your opinion matters to me.
I will strive to ask the hard questions and find efficiencies vs cost effectiveness in regards to services
I will support economic vitality that ensures sustainable and responsible growth
Some key issues that are important to me include:
Seniors Advocacy
Improved Transit, Roads and Infrastructure
Helping our Vulnerable community
Attracting business to expand and diversify our tax base
Jobs, homelessness & affordable housing
Being an ambassador and proponent for our Downtown core! Support local!
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Working in the non-profit sector for so many years is a benefit for so many reasons! I have learned how to do more with less! I have learned to identify the Need to Have’s from the Nice to Have’s. We must shift to operating our municipality in this way.
I strive for excellence. Not perfection. I don’t know it all and I don’t have all the answers, but I want to find out!
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One of my staff once introduced me to a community partner as his "larger than life Manager" and I took that as the highest compliment. I know I will bring the same energy and dedication to this position as your Ward 7 Councillor.
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WHAT'S NEXT
Over the next few months, I am going to be sharing important accomplishments and community initiatives that I have spearheaded myself at the grassroots level or have been a part of in the various communities I have lived in throughout Northeastern & Northwestern Ontario. It’s important for me that you get to know me if you don’t already.
Whether it is one year from now or twenty, balancing the inevitable growth of our city with the immediate needs of the community is – and should remain – the number one priority.
Are YOU on the VOTER’S LIST?
YOUR VOTE MATTERS!
Democracy starts on the doorstep and together with my team, I am going to win my seat, one door at a time!
On October 24, 2022, I will be asking for your VOTE of confidence in me.
Vote Natalie Labbee, Councillor for Ward 7