Roads, red tape and a new arena top of mind at chat with Sudbury's mayoral candidates
Red tape, roads, growth and whether to build a new arena were the hot topics Thursday evening as the Greater Sudbury Chamber of Commerce hosted a fireside chat with select mayoral candidates.
The chamber said it recently polled members to find out which mayoral candidates they wanted to hear from during the event, with the top five candidates invited to take part.
Taking part were Evelyn Dutrisac, Don Gravelle, Paul Lefebvre, Miranda Rocca-Circelli and Mila Wong. Incumbent Brian Bigger withdrew from the race earlier this week and was not present.
The chamber and members of the audience had the opportunity to ask questions through moderator Jessica Pope.
Over the summer, the chamber outlined its municipal election platform naming leadership, municipal red tape and growth as some of the top priorities.
"We need to increase our talent base and our workforce -- and in order to do that, Sudbury needs to be attractive," said the chamber's Anthony Davis.
"We need affordable housing. We have the work … we have the jobs. Our businesses need to grow. Our businesses want to grow, but we need people here to help fill that void. So in order to grow a city, we need to attract good, skilled, talented people."
Taking part were Evelyn Dutrisac, Don Gravelle, Paul Lefebvre, Miranda Rocca-Circelli and Mila Wong. Incumbent Brian Bigger withdrew from the race earlier this week and was not present. (Alana Everson/CTV News)
All five of the candidates taking part in the fireside chat agreed red tape is a major barrier at city hall.
"It's stopping our businesses from developing and what's happening is we are losing a lot of businesses," said Dutrisac. "They find that we are not working with them."
"Maybe we can have a specific department that is for these people," Gravelle said.
"We can encourage them and guide them through the whole process."
"What's going on in North Bay is that it's easy to do business there," said Lefebvre.
"It's easy to bring your business there and to expand on the lands there. So I think what we need to do in the City of Greater Sudbury is (have) more industrial lands available and serviced."
The moderator of the chat called the arena and Kingsway Entertainment District issues divisive. CTV News asked some candidates their thoughts on the arena.
None said they currently supported building a new rink.
"Definitely I will refurbish (Sudbury Arena) based on the experience of North Bay," said Wong. "There is good bones in there and it will be not as costly."
"Everyone would love a brand new amazing facility," said Rocca-Circelli.
"I think right now we really need to focus on what we need in order to survive as a community and looking at what we have and what we can do with what we have."
"The arena should be downtown," said Lefebvre.
"Now with respect to a new arena or refurbished arena, we need to see what we can afford."
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.