Dan Leblanc
Dan Leblanc of Bay Estates may be new to the municipal game, but he’s confident he would do a good job of representing the citizens of Ward 4 and the Town of Northeastern Manitoulin and the Islands as a whole. Mr. Leblanc explained that he’s been a taxpayer in Ward 4 since 1976 as a cottager who then decided to make the Northeast Town his full-time home in 2000. Mr. Leblanc owned The Co-operators insurance franchise for Manitoulin since 2000, selling the business in 2011 to maintain a solo insurance career. It is this business background that Mr. Leblanc says would make him an excellent candidate for council. “This is my first time in politics,” he said, explaining that it’s something he’s always wanted to do. “I always thought that once I reached a certain age and had the time, I would get more involved, and now I’m at that plateau in my life. I’ve always been interested in how this Island ran.” Mr. Leblanc said there should be a way to bring together the people of Ward 4 to meet on a regular basis “to talk things out” and air their concerns. “I think the people need someone who’s going to represent them and talk to them.” He said he’s “a firm believer that two terms are enough for anybody” and that there is a need for new blood around the council table. “Taxes continue to sneak up, very little, but they’re still creeping up and the blame goes to MPAC (Municipal Property Assessment Corporation),” he continued. Mr. Leblanc says Ward 4 residents don’t get their tax dollars’ worth of services. “Roads are all we have,” he said. “Spread the wealth.” A wealth of life experience and a keen eye for business will be a major asset for the council table, Mr. Leblanc assures. “I think I have a lot to offer. I’m new to it, but I catch on quick.”
