Nathan Boulet
Candidate for Mayor for the City of Timmins
Questions & Answers
Who is Nathan Boulet?
My upbringing
I am the youngest sibling out of 5. I have 3 older brothers and 1 older sister. I grew up in a small northern Ontario logging town called Caramat. My father was a logger and my mom was basically a saint.
I grew up in a Christian home. I loved playing sports in my youth. I mostly played hockey as a goalie. I had a very good upbringing. Lots of good memories. I always had the love and support of my parents.
My work career
I’ve had many different jobs over the years. I’ve worked as a forest fire fighter, a paramedic, a flight paramedic, a confined space rescuer, a property manager as well as a real estate agent to name some of them. I have enjoyed many different jobs. I see now that it’s all about service. We are to serve one and another with joy in our hearts. That’s the spirit for us to have if we’re to find fulfillment in our work.
My sporting experiences
I’ve loved the experience of playing sports for the majority of my life. There’s great joy in the moment when you’re really caught up in playing a sport. I have enjoyed playing a great variety of sports including hockey, volleyball, ping pong, muay thai, brazilian jiu-jitsu. I did play hockey, muay thai, mma & brazilian jiu-jitsu rather competitively. There is certainly joy to be had in pushing yourself in any endeavor. Some of the lessons I’ve learnt from playing sports is that there’s great benefit from living a life of discipline and also that life isn’t a competition to be won but rather a co-operation to be enjoyed.
My education
I wasn’t really into the education system. I found myself looking at the clock to be released on most days. Though I wasn’t really into school, I did really enjoy reading from a young age. I especially liked reading proverbs of any kind since as long as I can remember. I did some job specific training in order to be a firefighter, a paramedic, a real estate agent as well as to be a forest fire fighter. I believe it’s important for us to do that which we’re attracted to do and called to do. Some will be called to be great scholars and others to simpler positions and both are great in their own ways.
My life now
I’m happily married to my wife and we gladly raise her 2 kids together. We have 3 cats and 2 dogs so there’s always some action in our home. We like the simple and natural life. We like nature and generally can be found in nature or researching nature. I currently work as a real estate agent for Royal Lepage Northern Realty Leaders. I do feel that the winds of change are blowing in my life. Should the people of Timmins select me as their mayor then I would be very happy to serve them in this manner.
What is your platform?
Truth
My platform is the truth. Truly, one can only build upon the truth. We must all look for the truth in all things and walk in this truth. One of my mother’s quotes is this: “The truth is unshakable.” The one that builds a life, a relationship, a business or a City upon the truth will find this quote to be true.
Love
Perfect love is perfect understanding. Love sees all things and considers all things. Love considers all people as well. I believe that if we: “do to others as we would have others do unto us”, that we will do well as people, as a City and as a nation.
Justice
The parent that loves his or her child will correct them if they go astray. Though correction is difficult, it's completely necessary. Without justice, lawlessness will prevail. I believe we're in a time of lawlessness in our City and that it's time for justice to prevail. Justice is impartial. This means the same laws and the same punishments for everyone.
Righteousness
King Solomon said that when the righteous rule, the people rejoice. I believe this to be true. Whomever is the most righteous are the people who we as a City should elect as mayor and council for the benefit of all. The man or woman who is perfectly righteous is a person that truly has nothing to hide nor even the desire to keep anything hidden.
Why have you put your name in to be mayor?
See this article on this topic:
How do we strengthen and improve our City?
One of my first Muay Thai coaches would say “teamwork makes the dreamwork”. Some may think that it is cheesy but it is indeed true. As it is written: “A Kingdom divided against itself cannot stand.”
A divided kingdom isn’t a strong kingdom as it fights within itself & against itself. A strong City is one that operates in one accord and is of one mind.
How do we bring about 45,000 people to agree and walk in one accord?
We as a group decide what we can all agree on and walk in. A group can be united in one of two things. The truth or falsehood. I believe everyone deep down wants to walk in the truth. Another item that I believe that all people would agree upon is the need to walk in love. The choice is always before us whether we choose to walk in love or walk in hate. Love is that which builds, edifies & encourages. Hate is that which works destruction. One must always be vigilant to discern between truth & falsehood as well as love and hatred.
Love is that which considers every man, woman & child. One that prefers their own gain over their fellow man, women & children will always miss the mark.
We must always choose to do that which is for the greatest good. In doing so, we truly are the “City with the Heart of Gold”.
By collectively choosing to walk in both truth and love, this City will without a doubt rise to another level for the benefit of all.
How do we heal this broken heart of ours?
As many know, we’re currently plagued with many issues. Violence, crime, lawlessness and homelessness have made their abode in our City.
Another fantastic quote from my mother: “A problem is an opportunity for a solution.” I believe we’re in agreement that we have a problem. Now the time has come to put our hearts and minds together to work out the solution(s).
Gold must go through the fire in order to be purified.
So must we go through the fire to be the “City with a Heart of Gold”.
Truly, we must recognize that the gold from the earth can’t make us rich as a City.
It is the gold that is mined from within every man, woman and child that brings lasting riches both in our lives and to this City.
One must decide whether they want to be part of the problem or part of the solution. Personally, I want to be part of the solution. I will stand with any and all that want to be part of the solution.
We must not look for a hero to come and save us. We must look in the mirror and say: “What can I do for my neighbors and our City?”.
The time has come and the time is now. There’s no better moment and there never will be a better time than NOW.
A group that walks in one accord thinks about all the members in the group. We are to be this City that walks as one to rise out of this. Everyone can make a contribution. We all have something. Perhaps it’s time for some, money for some and resources for some.
Solution # 1
The continuous work of restoring hope & dignity to our fellow man/woman or children who have fallen.
That which is broken can be made whole again. This is a permanent and ongoing work. We must give ourselves to serving them.
As for me and my household, we are interested in running a not-for-profit organisation to address the needs of the people.
We want to establish clean & safe place(s) where people can come to be rehabilitated. We do own land which we are willing to start developing for these needs now.
Our vision is to create a space where people can heal from their addictions and/or traumas. A place set in nature. A place where there is work for them to be a part of.
If you’re willing to be a part of this then please email me at: nathan.c.boulet@gmail.com.
Solution # 2
Organising & operating a volunteer based workforce
There is work and opportunity for all under the sun. It is my belief that we feel better when we’re actively creating and contributing to making things better overall.
I believe there are many who would be willing to be a part of this and all that is missing is a bit of support, oversight and encouragement.
High school kids could use their volunteer hours to make a positive contribution to the community. Homeless folks could choose to be part of the solution as well.
I believe we should strengthen and assist any who want to be part of the solution.
We can tackle simple little projects that make this City better for everyone together such as: painting over graffiti, picking up garbage, etc.
Solution # 3
Work with existing groups to increase synergy within the City
There are currently many groups willing to assist in handling some of these issues within our City. I believe it would be advantageous for all to establish a committee amongst these groups so that they can work more collaboratively.
Solution # 4
Make it easy and pleasant to work & build in the City of Timmins
It is well known that we have to build in this City. Many want to come and work here. The time has come to build places for them. We, as a City, need to ensure this process is as smooth as possible for the builders and developers. Let us leave no stone unturned in this effort.
On transportation
We as a City need to look at all the services we're currently providing and honestly ask ourselves if it's working for us as a whole.
For example, if the current bus system is losing the City money each and every year then it's something we need to look at.
We have to look at our options.
Perhaps a private company would be willing to purchase our existing bus service.
If this makes sense for the private company, our residents, our City and it's budget then that would certainly be a big win for all.
On “drugs”
I don't personally like the word “drug” as I feel it isn't specific enough.
I'll start the conversation by addressing opioids. Opioids can certainly be good tools for those in great pain. However, they have become as a double edged sword. On one side, they alleviate pain in our suffering loved ones. On the other hand, they can contribute to great pain through addiction & premature deaths.
Let us reason together on some solutions:
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Let us cut back on how much we're prescribing these medicines. Let us explore alternative therapies and medicines.
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We are to enforce justice on those who are selling these dangerous substances on the streets.
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Let us work on healing those who turn to these substances due to the emotional pain in their hearts.
On tourism
People want to go to beautiful places. Do you want to go visit a place known for crime & homelessness? Most people don't.
By beautifying and revitalizing our City, we will naturally grow our tourism sector.
We do have a lot to offer. We're a nature lovers paradise here in Timmins.
We can breathe life into our downtown once more as well.
If we make this a nice place for all of us to live then certainly people will want to come for a visit/vacation.