Johanne Brousseau has announced her intention to seek election as the mayor of North Bay.
Brousseau is wrapping up her first term as a city councillor, during which she served as the chair of the council's community services committee. In the 2018 municipal election, around the council table, only Deputy Mayor Tanya Vrebosch's 7,297 votes exceeded Brousseau's total of 7,025.
Brousseau has been heavily involved in infrastructure projects in North Bay and has been outspoken on the need to bring the proposed community and recreation centre to fruition. She also played a large role in the realization of the multi-use recreation courts in the downtown-waterfront area.
She is one of eight children in her family and says they all inherited the strong work ethics and values of their parents.
"Growing up we were taught to treat others with respect, to have integrity, to be honest, be motivated, responsible, reliable, committed and be a team player. These values were strongly instilled in me and I strive to apply them in everything I do."
Brousseau owned and operated Creation Unique for 22 years. Upon selling her business, she transitioned into a new chapter of her career by becoming a national freelance sewing educator, travelling across the country to teach clients and business owners.
Over the past 50 years, Brousseau has volunteered with various clubs and boards. She started as a certified swimming instructor teaching swimming at all levels, then served as a board member and treasurer for the YMCA, and served on the organizing committee for the YMCA Strong Kids campaign. For 14 years Brousseau served as a board member for Caisse Populaire North Bay and for four years, served on l’Alliance des Caisses Populaires de l’Ontario as a board director. She has also volunteered for organizations such as North Bay Triathlon, North Bay SCUBA Club, North Bay Ice Breakers sledge hockey team, the Royal Life Saving Society, and the Red Cross aquatics branch.
Brousseau also participates in:
- Capitol Centre Board
- Nipissing University Board of Governors
- North Bay Hydro Holdings Board of Directors
- North Bay Police Services Board
- Rural Northern Immigration Pilot Committee
- Growth Community Improvement Plan Review Team
- Business Retention and Expansion Red Flag Team
- Comité local en immigration francophone de North Bay
- Tour de Trout Committee
- Bay Days Festival Committee
- Clean Green Beautiful Committee
The municipal election is on October 24. Brousseau joins Peter Chirico as a candidate for mayor.
