Addictions crisis still on the mind of outgoing Sault mayor

As his days in office wind down, Sault Ste. Marie’s soon-to-be ex-mayor is reflecting on his eight-year tenure at the head of the city council table.

While Christian Provenzano is generally proud of this time at city hall, there is one issue that he would have liked to have seen some resolution on: the addictions and mental health crisis that has gripped his community.

“I certainly feel that I’ve done what I could do,” said Provenzano.

“But, I certainly recognize that we haven’t been successful and that more needs to be done to get people the care they need and deserve that are dealing with mental health and addiction issues.”

He said inaction on the part of senior levels of government has resulted in the city not getting the healthcare supports that it needs.

But Sault Ste. Marie MPP Ross Romano disagrees.

“Mayor, don’t let the truth get in the way of your own shortcomings,” said Romano, who points to the city’s residential withdrawal management facility as evidence of provincial action.

“Originally they were looking at an $11 million project and we ended up announcing, as you know, a $20 million project not long ago, and the amount of services that have been added in our community has increased.”

In response, Provenzano said he’s content to let citizens decide on his record.

“It’s unbecoming of political leaders to speak like that about one another, so I’m not going to engage in that,” he said.

“What I’m going to say is I’m comfortable letting the community decide about the efforts that I’ve made.”

Connie Raynor Elliott, founder of grassroots addiction support and advocacy group Save Our Young Adults -- or SOYA -- said Provenzano has always made himself available to hear her concerns.

“He runs a law office, he has family like all of us, and he made a really good effort,” said Raynor Elliott. “I’m going to miss him.”

Meantime, Provenzano said he’s been meeting regularly with mayor-elect Matthew Shoemaker to ensure a smooth transition. On the addictions file, Shoemaker has said the establishment of a safe consumption site is job No. 1.

As for his future, Provenzano said he’s looking forward to being a private citizen.

“I’ve got no current political aspirations, and I really am content to just be a lawyer and just to be a private citizen and contribute to my community in other ways.”