THUNDER BAY – Yuk-Sem Won is no stranger to the political process.
A two-time federal election candidate for the NDP, Won this fall is seeking to become the Neebing councillor at city hall, saying her previous political experience has taught her a lot about the issues of those living in the ward – not to mention collaborations with community leaders over the past five years – that could serve her well on council.
“I think our city needs that kind of leadership and experience,” she said. “Especially with a lot of new faces coming onto council. [Voters] are going to look for people that have that trust, that ability to build connections and bring them that information, and that’s what I’m offering.”
Won’s No. 1 concern for the ward is to do something about the amount of traffic, improving the infrastructure in Neebing and making it a much more walkable community.
“There are so many families in Neebing Ward that are just looking for safe places to walk, to play with their kids, to have their kids go to the community centres and whatnot. So definitely the infrastructure and the roads are No.1 on my list,” she said.
A labor law litigator and instructor at Confederation College, Won says she’s been volunteering in the community for the past 30 years and has experience with such organizations such as the Thunder Bay District Labour Council, the Thunder Bay Business Women’s Network, Accueil francophone, the Thunder Bay Chinese-Canadian Association and the Orange Abinoojiinh Movement.
“I have never been able to just wait for change to happen, but choose to invest time and energy to be a part of the change I want to see,” she says on her official campaign biography at thunderbayvotes.ca.
“This is the foundation of my community leadership and interest in politics.”
Won says community spaces and community organizations are at the heart of Northern Ontario, but building these spaces, such as the controversial indoor turf facility proposed during the last term of council, shouldn’t come at the expense of her grandchildren’s taxes.
“What we need to do is look at a modest proposal that gets the needs met without going over and above that would over-tax and burden all of our families. In the North, we’re used to getting things done so it’s accessible… without being the No. 1 most beautiful place in Canada,” Won said.
The first-time municipal candidate said there is no easy solution to fixing the social issues that plague the city and her ward, but it starts with finding ways to combat addiction and poverty, and building supports for people moving into the community.
That’s where council can best try to solve the problem, she said.
“When you tackle those root problems, that’s how all the rest will come to play, including safety and police and things like that. To be able to invest and collaborate with community groups, see what’s out there for people and make sure we’re investing some of the tax dollars toward the programs, such as the Shelter House and the food programs, I think is going to be key to address a lot of those social issues.”
