Transparency and accountability took the spotlight at a mayoral debate in North Bay, Ontario, on Monday evening. Although the incumbent mayor, Peter Chirico, is not seeking re-election, his use of a corporate credit card was a major topic of discussion during the debate.
Last year, following an investigation by the city’s integrity commissioner revealing over $17,000 in personal expenses charged by Chirico, including hockey tickets, golf memberships, and family meals labeled as “city business,” the council voted to dock his pay for 60 days. Chirico later reimbursed the city for those expenses.
During the debate at West Ferris Secondary School, mayoral candidate Connor Currie received enthusiastic support from the audience when he criticized candidate Melanie Demers’ proposal for council members to self-regulate through peer assessments. Currie pointed out that self-regulation had contributed to the current situation.
Demers, however, stated that if elected mayor, she would welcome public feedback on the council’s performance and emphasized accountability by affirming that council members failing to meet public standards would be dismissed.
Another candidate, Jamie Lowery, a current city councillor, emphasized personal accountability in matters of spending on a corporate credit card, highlighting the importance of individual moral judgment over policy compliance.
In response to Lowery’s attendance record as a councillor being questioned by candidate Maggie Horsfield, he defended his commitment to improving the city as mayor, prioritizing substantive work over ceremonial appearances.
The debate, co-hosted by the North Bay and District Chamber of Commerce and Cogeco Television, focused on issues such as attracting investment, property tax reduction, and addressing housing affordability and homelessness. Lowery’s proposal to prioritize physician recruitment as a means to attract new residents received strong support from the audience.
Regarding homelessness, both Horsfield and Lowery agreed that relocating the city’s low-barrier shelter near Chippewa Secondary School to a new site was necessary. Horsfield pledged to work with provincial and federal counterparts to secure additional funding for homelessness initiatives and advocate for improved support for addiction, mental health, and housing services.
The debate highlighted the candidates’ positions on key issues affecting North Bay, with a strong emphasis on transparency, accountability, and solutions to pressing community challenges.
