Diane Ballantyne: Championing a passion for local government
Diane Ballantyne has been recognized in the past for her career achievements, but her latest is receiving an honourary mention in Municipal World’s 2024 Women of Influence in Local Government Award. Photo: Diane Ballantyne
2024 Women of Influence in Local Government Award Honourable Mention
Diane Ballantyne has been a dedicated public servant and educator for nearly three decades. But in that time, she has never been someone to seek out the spotlight – even when it is thrust upon her.
Ballantyne began her political career in the early 1990s working at Queen’s Park. She later spent nearly three decades working in the education sector before her election to Wellington County, Ont., council in 2018. She was re-elected in 2022.
Although she has been recognized in the past for her career achievements, her latest honour includes being given an honourary mention in Municipal World’s 2024 Women of Influence in Local Government Award. Sheilagh O’Leary, deputy mayor for the City of St. John’s, Nfld., is the 2024 award recipient. Colleen James, a council member in Waterloo Region, Ont., is the other 2024 honourable mention.
Ballantyne said she was surprised to receive such recognition, particularly alongside such remarkable women.
“I felt really honoured that I had been mentioned. I’ve since researched the two other women … and it’s really a privilege to be in such company,” Ballantyne said. “Those women have been doing really extraordinary work in their communities for a long time.”
Conflicting Emotions
Ballantyne admits to being “a little uncomfortable” with the idea of being recognized for her work in the municipal sector.
After all, recognition certainly has never been the motivation of why she would choose to get involved in her community. It’s not the reason why she started a community dinner, the Renegade Rainbows Project, or offered up her free time coaching a team back when she was a teacher.
From Ballantyne’s perspective, one doesn’t give back to the community for the sake of recognition, but rather because they believe there’s a need. That certainly is why she has always chosen to get involved.
“An important part, in my opinion, of having a rich and full life is feeling connected to the community that you live in,” she said. “So much of what happens in your community is done by volunteers. And if I want to have a community that has lots of different opportunities and celebrations and ways to create connections, then I want to be a part of helping to build those things.”
Supporting Young Women
All that said, Ballantyne said she strongly supports women being recognized. She said it’s especially important for younger women to see it.
Ballantyne said she agrees with the adage you can’t be what you can’t see. And so, if you see somebody that’s busy in the community doing “this, that, or the other thing,” whether it’s running for office or whether it’s just helping out at a parade or a community barbecue, it’s an opportunity for young people. This way, she said, they get to see a woman who is already busy, maybe raising kids, too, but still is able to support their community.
“That’s going to hit somebody at a particular point in their life and go, ‘Oh, maybe then I can do that too.’ That’s important.” Ballantyne said. “It’s important so they see what opportunities are available.”
Importance of Varied Voices
Andy Lennox, warden of Wellington County and the mayor of Wellington North, agrees in the importance of setting a good example.
Lennox, who was first elected as mayor in Wellington North in 2014, said he believes women have been underrepresented in the political realm – and continue to be so. Working with several women over the years as elected officials, he knows it has been harder for them than many men.
The criticism they receive is often harsher, more personal, and they often don’t get the kind of support they need to weather those storms. But bringing more women to the table changes the tone of the conversation, Lennox said. And often, it becomes a more productive tone. As such, finding ways to make the process more accessible for women to participate is important.
Ballantyne, he added, reflects that.
“First of all, she’s very articulate. She’s well spoken. She’s passionate about what she’s doing. And it’s the people she represents that come first and foremost,” Lennox said. “She’s very active in her advocacy and her efforts to make life better for people. Diane is certainly deserving of this recognition.”
A Woman of Influence
While eager to champion women in the municipal space, Ballantyne admits to having never really thought of herself as a woman of influence.
She wouldn’t phrase it as influence, but she does consider what she does as important advocacy work. That said, she acknowledges that advocacy is another way of saying someone is trying to influence something.
Put another way, Ballantyne said it is about doing the work. And when you are doing the work, you are modelling something that people may hopefully notice.
“I think the most important thing is to do the work. And if people come along with you, that’s great,” she said. “There are things that I’ve started in the community that I was like, I’m not sure how this is going to go. But I feel like there’s a need for this particular thing. And then let’s see what happens. It’s not always about getting it right or winning. It’s about what you learn in the journey along the way.”
Sexism, Online Threats Continue
Ballantyne is in her second term of county council. But even so, she has had many conversations around the challenges women face in the political realm. And this, she adds, goes for whether someone is running for office or is currently serving.
She feels “incredibly lucky” not to have faced the same level of online and threats – “at least in the same way” – as have many of her colleagues.
Still, Ballantyne cites the online threats and sexist bullying that led former MP Catherine McKenna to not stand for re-election in 2021 as examples of the “absolutely appalling” behaviour women face on a regular basis. And when it comes to racialized women, Ballantyne adds, too often the dangers come with a whole new level of vitriol. It is a situation that Ballantyne calls “absolutely a shame” and “harmful to our democracy.”
Whether these attacks come through social media interactions or real-world confrontations, Ballantyne said it is a situation that discourages people, particularly women, from getting involved.
“We know that the research shows that the attacks are much more disgusting toward women who are running or serving an office,” Ballantyne said. “And we lose a lot in that because it’s important to have diversity of all kinds around the table. We’re going to make better policy decisions, we’re going to have richer discussions, when we have varied perspectives around those tables.”
Passion for Local Government
Despite all the pressures women face, Ballantyne remains committed to the challenge. She also remains steadfast in encouraging other women to get involved in politics.
Ballantyne acknowledges that local government today is “incredibly challenging.” There are a whole host of issues that hadn’t traditionally been the responsibility of local governments. And it’s frustrating, she said, when there are issues such as homelessness, drug addiction, or mental health that residents are rightfully concerned about and are anxious for what their elected representatives are going to do about it.
Still, addressing that challenge is something Ballantyne sees as the rewarding part of her work. Because when someone comes to her with concerns around a given topic, she is eager to have the conversation.
“If you feel that strongly about a particular issue and have that question, then I think that at least you’re going to get an accurate piece of information from me, or I’m going to be able to get back to you with the most accurate information as possible,” Ballantyne said. “And then you’re going to go talk to your friends about that. And be better informed. I think that helps reduce the polarization that we’re experiencing.” MW
✯ Municipal World Executive and Essentials Plus Members: You might also be interested in Sean Meyer’s article: Rowena Santos: Take your place and own it with style and grace.
Sean Meyer is digital content editor for Municipal World.
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