Eight contenders are vying for the position of mayor of Greater Sudbury as citizens gear up for the impending municipal election. Each candidate was tasked by CBC News to furnish a 100-word response to three identical questions before the voting day on Oct. 26. The responses, organized alphabetically by the candidate’s last name, were reviewed by CBC solely for spelling, grammar, and word limit adherence. Any answers exceeding 100 words were trimmed at the nearest complete sentence.
Bob Johnston, championing the slogan “No Ties, No Lies,” was present at a town hall at the Sudbury Indie Cinema alongside four other candidates. When asked about his mayoral pursuits, Johnston emphasized the urgency for change and an audit to assess the city’s current status, stressing the importance of prioritizing the citizens. His key focus areas for Sudbury include addressing road conditions, corruption, homelessness, addiction, and mental health issues through a comprehensive audit. If elected, Johnston’s immediate priority would be tackling the 10 identified crises with emergency strategies.
Paul Lefebvre, the incumbent mayor of Sudbury, highlighted his reelection bid as an opportunity to build upon the progress achieved during his tenure. He underscored advancements made in housing, development, job creation, infrastructure, healthcare, and community welfare, emphasizing the ongoing work required. Lefebvre outlined a multifaceted approach to address Sudbury’s pressing concerns, such as infrastructure, job creation, affordable housing, social issues, climate change, tax affordability, and community well-being. His proposed initiatives include expanding housing stock, boosting the tax base, investing in infrastructure, job creation, homelessness eradication, and climate action to achieve net-zero emissions.
Rodney Newton articulated his mayoral candidacy as a quest to enact positive changes that benefit the current and future generations residing in Sudbury. His vision focuses on enhancing the city’s livability, safety, and affordability. Newton identified the cost of living and financial allocations as critical issues warranting attention. If elected, his primary objective would be to prioritize crucial matters before addressing less urgent concerns.
Michael McIntosh expressed his mayoral aspirations with a specific goal of reinstating weekly garbage collection services in the city. He aimed to address the restoration of this essential service and the extension of transit hours as top priorities for Sudbury. If elected, McIntosh emphasized that his immediate focus would be on reinstating weekly garbage pickup services.
Keenan Menard’s mayoral candidacy is centered on propelling the growth, transformation, and prosperity of Sudbury. His campaign platform underscores the importance of improving transit, infrastructure, healthcare, housing, employment opportunities, and addressing social issues like homelessness and mental health. Menard identified enhancing public transit as his primary focus upon assuming office.
Miranda Rocca-Circelli’s mayoral bid is grounded in the belief that Greater Sudbury deserves leadership that is accountable to its residents, prioritizing transparency and community feedback. She emphasized the need to restore oversight mechanisms, empower local communities, prioritize infrastructure, and enhance citizen engagement. Rocca-Circelli outlined key focus areas including accountability, infrastructure development, ward autonomy, community facility ownership, housing, and emergency readiness. Her immediate priority, if elected, would be reinstating the Office of the Auditor General to ensure fiscal accountability and transparency in city operations.
