Louise Portelance: Leadership Principles

EVERYTHING STARTS WITH A DREAM

Everything that we have in Sudbury of value started out as an idea – Laurentian University, College Boreal and Cambrian College, the regreening initiative, the Northern Lights Festival, Science North, Dynamic Earth, Cinefest, the new Northern Medical School and more. Louise knows that everything starts with a dream and she isn’t about to sit around and wait for money to appear to make something happen. She is going to work with community partners as well as the provincial and federal levels of government to develop exciting new ideas and then find the money to make the dreams a reality.

GOOD LEADERSHIP IS PARTICIPATORY

Louise believes that the best way to achieve positive change is to empower citizens to work together to build their communities and shape their own dreams. Her track record clearly shows that she leads by working with and inspiring others. Louise believes that cities are only as strong as their citizens and she plans to work side-by-side with people throughout the City to create a better future for all. She will bring a participatory leadership style to local government that:

	Implements a policy-directed style of governance that makes the vision, mission and goals and objectives of the City of Sudbury clear and accessible to each public servant.
	Creates a workplace that rewards excellence and innovation.
	Empowers and inspires each and every public servant to make a unique contribution to the vision and mission of the City of Greater Sudbury.

PARTNERING FOR A BETTER FUTURE FOR ALL

Louise also plans to work diligently to equalize opportunities throughout the City. She understands that amalgamation has led to some significant challenges, particularly for those living in outlying communities. She believes that these communities need to recreate a sense of unique identity and spirit, while becoming full partners in the larger community that is the City. She believes that we all share a responsibility to work together for a good quality of life and that we all have a right to provide input into policy decisions that affect us. Every citizen owns a piece of the municipality and as equal shareholders, the only fair model of service delivery is a model that is equalized. Everyone has a right to essential services. Everyone has the right to live in a city where they feel safe and secure.

PRUDENT FISCAL MANAGEMENT LEADS TO A HEALTHY ECONOMY

As a business owner, Louise understands how important it is that we live within our means. At the same time, key investments must be made to ensure a healthy, sustainable economy in a context of declining support from other levels of government. We need a strong infrastructure, good roads, meaningful employment for our youth, a high standard of health care, and tourism. Louise believes that the City of Greater Sudbury is poised to become the centre for education, commerce, health care and the arts in the North. She plans to build on our strengths to make Sudbury a world-class city and the city of choice to live, work and raise a family.

ARTS AND CULTURE ARE KEY ELEMENTS OF THE COMMUNITY

The Arts Community in Sudbury is vibrant and growing – growing to the degree that many events are now over capacity. Arts and culture are key elements in drawing people to a community and in promoting and supporting creativity in children and young people. Involvement in art and music has been proven to stimulate brain development in all areas of learning! Louise believes strongly that a renewed understanding of the importance of arts and culture is vital for local government and that we need a cultural Master Plan in this city to preserve local culture.

CARING FOR EACH OTHER IS GOOD FOR US ALL

Louise believes that a city is only as strong as its communities and communities are only as strong as their citizens. Our collective quality of life is directly related to how well we take care of each other. Children need a healthy start in life, seniors are to be valued and supported in living independently as long as possible and no one should be hungry or homeless in this city. Her years of experience as a community volunteer speak to her concern for those among us who are most vulnerable.