In anticipation of the OAA’s 2023 Conference, Designing for Dignity, we reached out to local folks from across the Sudbury region to share what they think makes it a great place to live, work, and play. In our ‘Faces of Sudbury’ series, we share their responses, in their own words.

These personal reflections shed light on the richness of the region, and celebrate the many facets that will be showcased at the bespoke Conference event in June. For the first time, the OAA is holding its annual conference at the gateway to Northern Ontario—a place of resource extraction and regeneration, of remoteness and richness, of communities and design challenges. The setting prompts us to have new conversations as well as to learn from and collaborate with local communities about the role the profession must play in supporting dignity for all.

1. Who are you and what do you do?
I am a politician at the provincial level. I represent the large riding of Nickel Belt, from Alban to Foleyet and most of the communities in the outskirts of the City of Greater Sudbury.

2. What excites you about living in the Sudbury area?
I just love that we are surrounded by water and forest. 18% of us live on a lake or a river and all of us have access to beautiful beaches and nature trails.

3. What makes Sudbury “home” for you?
My family like many others, are the third generation of mine workers. My father-in-law, my husband were industrial electricians in our mines and my daughter has followed in their footsteps.

4. What’s your favourite building or structure in the city? Why?
My favourite structure is the SNOLAB, because it is located 2 km under the ground at Creighton Mine.

5. What is Sudbury’s best kept secret?
The fact that we are very welcoming and celebrate our diversity, everyone can find their home here.