As part of FAN-NWO’s non-partisan election awareness work, we invited candidates for Mayor in the Municipality of Neebing to respond to the same three questions about local food systems and the issues that affect people, communities and our region.
FAN-NWO does not endorse or oppose any candidate. Candidate responses are presented verbatim, as received, and have not been edited by FAN-NWO.
Candidates for Mayor:
- Joey Busch
- Obinna (Obie) Egbuchulam
- Florence Maclean
- Ziggy Polkowski – No publicly available email address identified*
- Brian Wright
*FAN-NWO was unable to contact Mr. Polkowski through the same email-based outreach process as no publicly available email address was identified.
Candidate Responses
Joey Busch
What will you do to support food systems in your municipality?
I am Métis. The protections of food systems, whether it’s farming or hunting, trapping, fishing, and harvesting from nature, is not only of personal importance but also of cultural importance to me. As a rural township with a small tax base monetary support is not something I could promise. However, I would support partnering with local farmers and residents to find creative solutions to the problems such as farmers markets or organizing volunteers to harvest the fruit from the multitude of old orchards as many have been almost forgotten for a generation (or more) and encouraging home based food production.
What will you do to protect farmland, the environment and forest and freshwater food systems?
I would support the “Stop the Spray” initiative and ensure we follow sustainable development practices as Neebing grows to maintain the long-term health of our natural environment and its systems. I am against subdivisions taking farmland and prime forest areas and I would fight to protect these areas from encroachment. I would also support hunters, fishers, trappers and harvesters using our natural food systems and ensure they don’t lose access to this important resource.
What will you do to support access to food for all?
I believe this is problem we solve as a community. As Neebing is rich in land I believe we should start victory gardens, like during WW2, to ensure robust local food production. My support for this initiative would be provided regardless of the outcome of the election. I am a college trained Horticulturalist a personal goal is to build a greenhouse to get vegetable starts ready to give away to anyone who needs them or is willing to grow them for those that do
Obinna (Obie) Egbuchulam
What will you do to support food systems in your municipality?
As Mayor, I would support initiatives that enable farmers, growers, and home-based food businesses to thrive without unnecessary municipal barriers. I would encourage partnerships with local farmers, community organizations, businesses, and neighbouring municipalities to promote local food production and purchasing. I would also support community gardens, farmers’ markets, and other practical initiatives where there is demonstrated community interest. Support would include incentives to encourage full participation. My approach would be to listen to the people who grow and produce food and ask a simple question: What can the municipality reasonably do to make it easier for you to succeed?
What will you do to protect farmland, the environment and forest and freshwater food systems?
Protecting Neebing’s natural environment and rural character is central to responsible stewardship. Responsible stewardship is at the heart of my campaign and leadership. Our forests, lakes, agricultural lands, and open spaces are environmental assets that also contribute to our quality of life, local food systems, recreation, and our municipality’s identity. I support responsible land-use planning that protects environmentally sensitive areas and productive farmland while respecting private property rights. I will support thoughtful, appropriate development for a rural municipality, with careful consideration of its long-term effects on water, drainage, forests, agricultural land, infrastructure, and neighbouring properties.
What will you do to support access to food for all?
I will not duplicate work already being done effectively by community organizations like yours, businesses, and other levels of government. I would focus on partnership rather than duplication. As Mayor, I would support collaboration with food system networks, Indigenous partners, and provincial and federal programs to identify gaps and connect residents with existing resources. The Rural Cupboard Food Bank serves Neebing residents. I will strengthen Neebing’s partnerships, determine whether residents face transportation or accessibility barriers, and identify gaps that aren’t currently being addressed
Florence Maclean
What will you do to support food systems in your municipality?
If elected Mayor, I would be interested in working with FAN-NWO to discuss potential partnerships with the Municipality of Neebing to support food systems in our community. As the former Director of Industry Research Partnerships at Lakehead University, I would be very interested in participating in research and innovation efforts that support FAN-NWO and Neebing residents.
What will you do to protect farmland, the environment and forest and freshwater food systems?
One of my priorities, if elected Mayor, would be to create sustainable economic opportunities in Neebing that support jobs, increase tax revenues and bring new residents to Neebing. Of course, sustainability means protecting farmland, the environment, forests and freshwater food systems.
What will you do to support access to food for all?
The rural cupboard food bank operates in Oliver Paipoonge and welcomes residents from Neebing to assist in access to food for those in need. I would be interested in working with them to see if another site is needed in Neebing for those who may not have access to a vehicle, the delivery of goods, transportation to the site, and understanding if the demand is greater than they can supply.
Brian Wright
What will you do to support food systems in your municipality?
I have been on our last 3 Councils, & we always do whatever is necessary to support our local farmers, protect farmland, the environment, forest & food systems.
What will you do to protect farmland, the environment and forest and freshwater food systems?
As a Council, every year we donate to the local food bank & support local farmers’ markets.
What will you do to support access to food for all?
If I am elected Mayor, I will endeavour to continue these initiatives & welcome local delegations at our Council meetings to discuss what more can be done.
Looking for candidate responses from another community?
FAN-NWO invited candidates for mayor or reeve in seven municipalities in the Thunder Bay area to respond to the same questions. Responses are organized by community and published verbatim, as received.
View all 2026 municipal election candidate responses here
Election Day: October 26, 2026
