THUNDER BAY – Kim Ducharme says she wants to revive Thunder Bay’s reputation for having a giant heart.
Ducharme, a child and youth care practitioner who describes herself as hard working, ethical and candid, has entered the at-large race, one of 26 people seeking one of five spots up for grabs during the Oct. 22 municipal election.
The mother-of-two lists public safety, social infrastructure, youth engagement, resourceful use of tax dollars and building on reconciliation as her top priorities.
Ducharme said she chose to enter the at-large race because she believes little is being done to move forward any of the issues near and dear to her heart.
“I think my level of frustration in the lack of mobilizing issues in the city sort of got my attention. I just decided one day to stop complaining and put my name in and put my money where my mouth was, so to speak.”
Racism in Thunder Bay is particularly disturbing, she said.
Ducharme pointed to a debate in council surrounding Senator Lynn Beyak, who came under fire for comments she made about the residential school system.
“I was disappointed with the lack of mobilization around that and the ongoing discourse it took to come up with some idea what to do about that,” she said. “And that was the breaking point for me in terms of doing something about it and getting involved and start talking about the issues that people are concerned about.”
The conversation has to start, she added.
“I think it’s the No. 1 issue for us. We’re getting known across the province, across the country as being a highly racist community, violent community. We need leaders that are going to be willing to put that on the table and talk about it,” Ducharme said, “because you can’t start to address it if you don’t start talking about it.”
She’d also like to end the disconnect between the city and what’s going on in local neighbourhoods.
“Are our city leaders showing up in those neighbourhoods that are struggling, that are experiencing racism and issues of violence?
In Ducharme’s mind, the answer is no.
