Meet the candidates: Greater Sudbury

With a population of more than 165,000 people, Greater Sudbury is the largest city in northeastern Ontario.

To match the larger population, the city also has the most candidates running for mayor. Nine people have applied for the job. It will be up to residents to choose their preferred candidate on Oct. 24.

Mayoral candidate David Pospescu did not respond to CBC's request by the deadline.

Miranda Rocca-Circelli

What are the top three issues you would like to tackle, if elected?

1. Audit and freeze on capital spending to best identify where there are gaps in our budgets.
2. Civic Engagement and create opportunities for our citizens to have a voice and to be heard. This includes looking at hosting town hall meetings quarterly that can provide an opportunity for our citizens to be heard.
3. Human Health which includes mental health and our vulnerable community. Environmental sustainability.

What is your involvement in the community?

My involvement in the community has never wavered even while raising my three children and running my businesses. I was born and raised in the city of Greater Sudbury. I have been involved in community incentives, organizations and groups my entire life.

Currently I run a non-profit youth organization to support the development of youth in basketball. Throughout the years, I have been on various committees including a board of directors member for the United Way Centraide de Sudbury, and Chair of their GenNext program. I was a volunteer for the Look Good Feel Better Program for many years through the Cancer Foundation. I served as the VP of communications for BPW Sudbury, I also danced in the Sudbury Easter Seals Dancing with the Stars. I continue to volunteer my time to various events and causes.

If elected mayor, what will be your first priority?

The first priority as mayor would be my commitment to an external audit of our budgets and to freeze capital spending.

Mila Wong

What are the top three issues you would like to tackle, if elected?

1. Forensic Audit on the Finances of The Corporation of Greater Sudbury
2. Freeze property taxes
3. Restart the maintenance/repair of deferred infrastructure.

What is your involvement in the community?

Please visit website:milawongformayor.com

If elected mayor, what will be your first priority?

The number one above, we need to know the state of our finances.

Don Gravelle

What are the top three issues you would like to tackle, if elected?

1. If elected, I would like to end wasteful spending. One example is having a third party such as Fire Marque. Fire Marque is a third-party company that has the city fire department charges reimbursed and takes 30 per cent as their fee. The average payments are in the neighbourhood of $4,000. Fire Marque would make $1,200 for as little as a couple of emails. If the city had only 100 calls, that would amount to $120,000. I've been informed that 500 calls per year is normal. That is well over $500,000 in savings that could be realized from this spending alone.
2. Secondly, after visiting the outer communities, it has become apparent that they are not getting a say and that the city facilities are not well maintained. This needs to change so making sure all wards have a say is what I pledge.

What is your involvement in the community?

My community involvement consists of several things. I assist organizations like Petsave by being a driver from time to time of the Bark Bus, transporting dogs and cats from northern communities so they can find their forever home. My family often fosters some of these animals when the need arises.

I am on the board of directors of my local community centre and instrumental in bringing in new ideas and implementing them.I have volunteered several times to answer phones at the CTV Lions Christmas telethon. At Christmas time, I sort food at the local food bank and I also donate blood/plasma.

If elected mayor, what will be your first priority?

My first priority is to review the fire optimization plan. From what has been reported to date, it may save money, but also may cost lives. Ultimately the safety of our citizens and visitors is of utmost importance. In an emergency, time is everything so this should be the first priority for the new council.

Bob Johnston

What are the top three issues you would like to tackle, if elected?

1. Homelessness
2. Addictions
3. Rental health must be worked on..Downtown

What is your involvement in the community?

Founder of Tomorrow's Hope, Cruisin for Organ Donors...organizations, lead Ambassador Tap transplant program at HSN. Founder of Memory park on LorneStreet.

In 2013, I put Sudbury on the map by appearing on Undercover Boss Canada...Foodbanks Canada.

Ran the shelter at Grace Family Church.

Involved in promoting Chloe Arsenault, Miss Galaxy North Canada.

Founder of The Homeless of Champions in the Sudbury arena clothing and personal hygiene products.

Member of the Irish Heritage Club.

If elected mayor, what will be your first priority?

A total review of upper management...house cleaning, an external audit of operations, debt andreserves.

Devin Labranche

What are the top three issues you would like to tackle, if elected?

1. Making it easier to rezone, severance, lower development charges and permit fees to build Sudbury into the future.
2. Become competitive with our municipal neighbors with regards to commercial and industrial land taxes and other strategies to draw in business
3. Increase city revenue streams to be able augment services

What is your involvement in the community?

I'm retired from just under fiveyears as a volunteer firefighter, I've invested my education at Laurentian University and I find myself constantly involved in attending community events and trying to bring people together to explore everything this city has to offer.

If elected mayor, what will be your first priority?

I think people need some closure on what to do with the arena. My first priority will be to commence negotiations with private investors to see what can be accomplished on that front for something new. If negotiations fall through, I will look at a refurbishment option. It would be great to get something new for the city. Mind you we have to be responsible with the budget and where we invest our money for future revenue streams.

Paul Lefebvre

What are the top three issues you would like to tackle, if elected?

I am running for mayor because I am concerned about the future of our city. I want to work with the city council and citizens to build a city we can truly be proud of -- and that future generations are able to enjoy. To do that, we need to strategically invest in ourselves.

1. As mayor, I will act as Sudbury's Brand Ambassador to promote our economy and attract newbusinesses, professionals and families.
2. I will protect green space and encourage community development that enhances ecological resilience and reduces emissions. I will empower community leaders in solving social problems so no one is left behind.
3. I will support projects that enhance livability for our citizens and make Sudbury a recreation and entertainment destination.

What is your involvement in the community?

My extensive work in the community over the past 20 years as a volunteer, as a board member, as a community builder -- demonstrates that I am a leader and a consensus builder. And I have proven, as Sudbury's voice in Ottawa, that I can work with all levels of government and all community groups to deliver results for Greater Sudbury.

I will leverage my experience and skills to negotiate longer-term/stable funding with federal and provincial governments, introduce a social procurement policy within city operations, empower an innovative public service, and build on existing strategic plans.

If elected mayor, what will be your first priority?

I will listen to citizens across all communities in Greater Sudbury, build consensus on council, and drive the projects and initiatives that will make Greater Sudbury a more livable, sustainable and prosperous community for all. I see my role as mayor as Greater Sudbury's brand ambassador a true champion of our city internally and externally.

Evelyn Dutrisac

What are the top three issues you would like to tackle, if elected?

1. Budget/taxation Ensure hard earned tax dollars are spent wisely and efficiently. The new council must focus on smart government, smart growth and smart spending of taxpayers money on dealing with the needs of the city as prioritized by our residents. We must put forth budgets that are sustainable, that focus on increasing our tax base and not overburdening the existing rate payers.
2. Empower and stand up for all residents By empowering and engaging persons, we obtained real successes. I have worked with the other levels of government to move our City forward.
3. Support business and industry In my first 100 days, I will request a staff report on where the city stands in relationship to other comparative cities. We realize that development fees are necessary; however, how do we compare and is there any leeway in further reducing fees? In addition, it is imperative that we prepare a position paper on the roadblocks preventing growth in our city. As a former member of the planning committee, the city takes the blame for many of the issues that are owned by the province. The public need answers.

What is your involvement in the community?

I have always been involved in the Community. Since 2018, I have been an active member of the following committees:

City of Greater Sudbury`s Senior`s Advisory Panel to Mayor and Council

Co-Chair of the City of Greater Sudbury Compassionate City

City of Greater Sudbury Population Health, Safety and Well Being

Member of the Age Friendly Committee for Greater Sudbury

Member of Family Council at S.t Gabriel Long Term Care Home in Chelmsford

President of Caf Heritage Rayside Balfour

Club Richelieu de la Valle, Sudbury, ON

Filles d'Isabelle, Cercle d'Youville, Azilda, ON

Member of le club ge d'or Azilda, Azilda, ON

Director Board of Directors Abbeyfield Houses Society of Canada

Vice - Chair Moyen Nord Fdration des ans et retraits francophones de l'Ontario (FARFO )

If elected mayor, what will be your first priority?

My first priority will be to tackle the city of Greater Sudbury budget. Our residents are strapped and they are very worried about the rising costs of living. As I am campaigning I am hearing these major concerns from our youth to our older adults.