THUNDER BAY – Every year, come budget time, voters can count on Rebecca Johnson to question both city administration and her fellow city councillors about why the tax-levy increase is so high.
Johnson enters her fifth election cycle calling herself an agent for change in Thunder Bay, something the city desperately needs.
Though she’s held an at-large seat for 15 years, Johnson, who jokingly says she’s 50 and holding, believes hard work and listening to people is why she’s able to bring new ideas to council chambers.
“I’m out in the community a lot and I listen to what people are saying. And if you are a person that did not want to see change, then you would just sit back on your laurels and let it go at that,” said Johnson, the self-described Hazel McCallion of the North, a reference to the former long-serving mayor of Mississauga, who retired four years ago at 93.
“That’s not who I am. I’m a person who wants to find out what’s happening, so you’re constantly out seeking answers, you’re asking questions, you’re having coffee parties on an informal basis.”
It’s a system that’s worked.
After leading all at-large candidates in 2003, Johnson has finished no worse than fourth in three subsequent elections, handily winning re-election each time.
When she says she’s out in the community, she means it.
Johnson serves on more than 20 boards, organizations and committees, including Age-Friendly Thunder Bay and the city’s anti-racism committee.
She’s also mentors potential city council candidates, helping shape the next generation of Thunder Bay leaders.
Looking ahead to the next four years, Johnson knows one issue she plans to tackle head on.
“There’s no question we have a social wellness challenge in front of us. I’m seriously hoping that in the next term of council we can come to grips with some of that and actually put some solutions in place,” she said.
Johnson is also concerned about financial stability in Thunder Bay and plans to sharpen her budget hatchet.
“That is crucial. How are we going to be able to afford it? Everybody seems to want everything. Well, that’s not going to continue on, so how do we make those changes?” Johnson asked.
“We have to seriously look at service cuts, and unfortunately the service cuts that I might want might not be the service cuts that you might want. And I understand that. But we’re way beyond what we can afford to do.”
