North Bay’s mayor and deputy mayor look ahead to 2022
The calendar is flipping to 2022 and with it comes changes at the municipal level in North Bay.
Mayor Al McDonald will not be seeking re-election and deputy mayor Tanya Vrebosch has her sights on Queen’s Park, planning to run to become Nipissing MPP next June.
Both are looking back at 2021 and looking forward to what’s to come before council’s term ends.
“The confidence level in our community is off the charts,” said McDonald.
He said besides navigating through the COVID-19 pandemic, the issue of homelessness, drugs and mental health on city streets has been a struggle to get a handle on.
“We developed a community and well-being plan that we’re bringing together to make a difference in that side of things,” said McDonald. “Mostly all good, but some challenges as you can imagine.”
The mayor touts record building numbers, a booming TV and film industry and the construction of basketball courts behind the transit commission.
In 2022, expect a new face at the helm. McDonald confirmed earlier in the year that he has no intentions to seek re-election.
“If I look back over my 12 years, it was a pleasure to serve and the citizens have been fantastic,” he said. “I’m going to miss the people and miss the staff.”
For her part, Vrebosch said the two big projects she wants to check off the list are the Cassellholme redevelopment project and building a new twin-pad hockey arena.
“We cleaned up and made sure we had a balanced 10-year capital budget," she said.
"It’s been a struggle over the last four years with those two projects, but I think what we’ve come up with going forward in the new budget is going to give us Cassellholme and the community centre."
Vrebosch will be seeking a seat at Queen’s Park in the June election. She’s running for the Ontario Liberals.
“As a politician at the municipal level, it’s where you get stuck,” she said. “I can work on bridges, roads and parks, and playgrounds. I can work on those. What I hear from the average person is mental health, addictions and crime.”
Both McDonald and Vrebosch said the city is in good shape as we flip the calendar to 2022.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Senate expenses climbed to $7.2 million in 2023, up nearly 30%
Senators in Canada claimed $7.2 million in expenses in 2023, a nearly 30 per cent increase over the previous year.
Pedestrian, baby injured after stroller struck and dragged by vehicle in Squamish, B.C.
Police say a baby and a pedestrian suffered non-life-threatening injuries after a vehicle struck a baby stroller and dragged it for two blocks before stopping in Squamish, B.C.
Tom Mulcair: Park littered with trash after 'pilot project' is perfect symbol of Trudeau governance
Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair says that what's happening now in a trash-littered federal park in Quebec is a perfect metaphor for how the Trudeau government runs things.
Demonstrators kicked out of Ontario legislature for disruption after failed keffiyeh vote
A group of demonstrators were kicked out of the legislature after a second NDP motion calling for unanimous consent to reverse a ban on the keffiyeh failed to pass.
RCMP uncovers alleged plot by 2 Montreal men to illegally sell drones, equipment to Libya
The RCMP says it has uncovered a plot by two men in Montreal to sell Chinese drones and military equipment to Libya illegally.
Government agrees to US$138.7M settlement over FBI's botching of Larry Nassar assault allegations
The U.S. Justice Department announced a US$138.7 million settlement Tuesday with more than 100 people who accused the FBI of grossly mishandling allegations of sexual assault against Larry Nassar in 2015 and 2016, a critical time gap that allowed the sports doctor to continue to prey on victims before his arrest.
BREAKING Canucks goalie Thatcher Demko won't play in Game 2
The Vancouver Canucks will be without all-star goalie Thatcher Demko when they face the Nashville Predators in Game 2 of their first-round playoff series.
Man wanted in connection with deadly shooting in Toronto tops list of most wanted fugitives in Canada
A 35-year-old man wanted in connection with the murder of Toronto resident 29-year-old Sharmar Powell-Flowers nine months ago has topped the list of the BOLO program’s 25 most wanted fugitives across Canada, police announced Tuesday.
Doctors ask Liberal government to reconsider capital gains tax change
The Canadian Medical Association is asking the federal government to reconsider its proposed changes to capital gains taxation, arguing it will affect doctors' retirement savings.