Kristin Murray makes history as first person of colour to be mayor of Timmins
Timmins has a new mayor -- and she's the first person of colour to hold the seat. Kristin Murray has been appointed to take over the mayor's office until the upcoming election.
Although Murray will only be in charge for a couple months, she's determined to make her mark on the city.
"It's exciting because I think being in the mayor's seat, you get to see a different aspect of the city that you don't necessarily get to see when you're a councillor," she said.
"There's opportunities and I'm really looking forward to kind of getting my hands right in there and doing great things."
As deputy mayor, council tapped Murray to carry out the rest of the mayoral term until the October municipal election.
It's a historic moment for the city because on top of being the city's first black and Indigenous city councillor, Murray is the first person of colour to serve as mayor.
George Pirie, the outgoing mayor who is now a provincial cabinet minister, said Murray's appointment sends an important message.
"It encourages every single individual that might come from the Indigenous community or any other racialized community, that Timmins is a great place," Pirie said.
"It's a welcoming place, it's open. It respects the diversity and, in fact, it encourages diversity."
The local multicultural society said as the city becomes more diverse, people of different ethnicities are engaging in city life. Murray could inspire others to enter politics.
"It's wonderful to have this fresh perspective and there's so much more that I'm sure will result out of this in a positive way," said Marnie Lapierre, of the Timmins Multicultural Society.
Celebrations aside, Murray said she's ready to get to work. She wants to help bring more businesses to the city, support social services and strengthen partnerships with community groups.
"It's about community," she said.
"It's about people seeing them in spaces and places that they've never been before. That representation really matters."
Although Murray's term is short and she didn't say whether she'll run to keep the mayor's chair in October, she said she hopes this won't be the last time the city sees a person of colour at the helm.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
Documents reveal Ottawa's efforts to get Loblaw, Walmart on board with grocery code
It was evident to the federal government as early as last fall that Loblaw and Walmart might be holdouts to the grocery code of conduct, jeopardizing the project's success.
opinion The special relationship between King Charles and the Princess of Wales
Royal commentator Afua Hagan writes that when King Charles recently admitted Catherine to the Order of the Companions of Honour, it not only made history, but it reinforced the strong bond between the King and his beloved daughter-in-law.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Improve balance and build core strength with this exercise
When it comes to cardiovascular fitness, you may tend to focus on activities that move you forward, such as walking, running and cycling.
New Norad commander calls Canada's defence policy update 'very encouraging'
American troops will be spending more time training in the Far North, the new commander of Norad says, a strategy that fits 'hand-in-glove' with Canada's renewed focus on Arctic defence.
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
$70M Lotto Max winners kept prize a secret from family for 2 months
During a special winner celebration near their hometown, Doug and Enid shared the story of how they discovered they were holding a Lotto Max ticket worth $70 million and how they kept this huge secret for so long.