In the Ottawa municipal election of 1994, Howard ran as a community representative to replace the departing George Brown, defeating six opponents.
Howard was re-elected in 1997, increasing her percentage of the vote from 35% to 62%, despite the strong challenge by respected school board trustee Kathy Ablett.
In Beijing, Howard was elected to the local board of the Canada China Business Council for three years, and became chair of the Policy Committee.
In terms of corporate social responsibility, Howard committed to making a donation from her fair trade business sales to a Chinese charity and did so in 2008.
She has been active in the community as a director on the Riverside Park Community and Recreation Association,[9] restoring the Victoria Day Fireworks[10] to the new Mooney's Bay site, serving on several accessibility committees, on the Ottawa Rowing Club board,[11] and as President of the Somali Canadian Youth Centre[12] dedicated to help youth and their families involved with the criminal justice system.
She spoke at a 2016 conference about the lack of accountability in Ontario Liberal health care reforms that had inadequate consultation with physicians.