Only two candidates in North Bay's mayoral race
Municipal councils in Ontario are nearing the end of this term’s four-year cycle and with an election on the horizon, there are only two candidates running in North Bay's mayoral race as the nomination deadline looms.
Friday afternoon is the deadline to submit nominations for city council and school board nominations for those interested in seeking public office.
And as of Friday morning, only two North Bay candidates have expressed interest in succeeding Al McDonald as mayor.
McDonald announced last year he would not seek re-election after serving three terms.
Current North Bay city councillor Johanne Brousseau, whose first term in municipal politics is coming to a close, is taking a shot at the mayor's position.
"I'm a swimmer and I compare this to swimming a 5-kilometre swim, and I believe I did it successfully," she said.
"Now I’m ready to enter the waters and do a 10-kilometre swim."
But Brousseau has competition for the mayor's chair.
Former deputy mayor and current North Bay and District Chamber of Commerce President Peter Chirico is in the race.
CTV News reached out to him, but he was not available for comment.
The deadline to submit nomination papers is Aug. 19 at 2 p.m.
The candidate's paper must be accompanied by an endorsement of support signed by 25 voters along with a fee of $100 to run for city council and $200 to run for mayor.
"In order to run, they have to own or lease property in the City of North Bay," city clerk Karen McIsaac told CTV News.
"They don't have to live in the city, but they have to own or rent property."
The nomination must be certified by the clerk before the person becomes an official candidate for office. Election documents are prohibited from being filed by fax.
With only two candidates on the ballot as of Friday morning, McIsaac said many recognize the amount of work that goes into the job.
"There's also a lot of new rules with the integrity commissioner. It's just a huge time commitment," she said.
Brousseau calls it an exciting time for candidates.
"North bay is demonstrating that it has a good, strong democratic process," she said. "Congratulations to all those running."
As of Friday morning, 27 people are on the ballot seeking a city councillor role, including seven who are seeking re-election.
A full list of candidates can be found here.
Voting information can be found here. Residents can vote online between Oct. 13 and election day on Oct. 24 once receiving a voter letter in the mail.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'Anything to win': Trudeau says as Poilievre defends meeting protesters
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is accusing Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre of welcoming 'the support of conspiracy theorists and extremists,' after the Conservative leader was photographed meeting with protesters, which his office has defended.
What is changing about Canada's capital gains tax and how does it impact me?
The federal government's proposed change to capital gains taxation is expected to increase taxes on investments and mainly affect wealthy Canadians and businesses. Here's what you need to know about the move.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.
Bank of Canada officials split on when to start cutting interest rates
Members of the Bank of Canada's governing council were split on how long the central bank should wait before it starts cutting interest rates when they met earlier this month.
Pilot reported fire onboard plane carrying fuel, attempted to return to Fairbanks just before crash
One of the two pilots aboard an airplane carrying fuel reported there was a fire on the airplane shortly before it crashed and burned outside Fairbanks, killing both people on board, a federal aviation official said Wednesday.
'One of the single most terrifying things ever': Ontario couple among passengers on sinking tour boat in Dominican Republic
A Toronto couple are speaking out about their 'extremely dangerous' experience on board a sinking tour boat in the Dominican Republic last week.
7 surveillance videos linked to extortions of South Asian home builders in Edmonton released
The Edmonton Police Service has released a number of surveillance videos related to a series of extortion cases in the city now dubbed 'Project Gaslight.'
Ukraine uses long-range missiles secretly provided by U.S. to hit Russian-held areas, officials say
Ukraine for the first time has begun using long-range ballistic missiles provided secretly by the United States, bombing a Russian military airfield in Crimea last week and Russian forces in another occupied area overnight, American officials said Wednesday.
Manitoba government tables bill to end ban on homegrown recreational cannabis
Manitoba is planning to lift its ban on the home growing of recreational cannabis.