Sault mayoral candidates meet with voters
Candidates vying to be Sault Ste. Marie’s new mayor say a few issues appear to be top of mind for voters: homelessness, drug addiction and mental health.
The Sault Ste. Marie Public Library hosted a meet-and-greet this week, giving candidates a chance to pitch their platforms directly to constituents and take questions.
Though the five candidates have their differences, they all agree that the city’s ongoing struggle with homelessness, addiction and mental health is the biggest issue.
Ozzie Grandinetti, a small business owner and former city councillor, said he would explore private partnerships if elected mayor.
“I’ve said this many times -- we have to lobby the provincial government for funding and possibly do a private partnership with the private sector to get things going and helping the people out that need the help,” he said.
Current councillor Donna Hilsinger agreed, adding she, too, would lobby the province for more money.
“We need to relentlessly advocate for the services that we need to address homelessness, mental health and addictions,” said Hilsinger.
“And we need to follow the good work and continue the good work that the Sault Ste. Marie Housing Corporation has been undertaking to address homelessness.”
Tobin Kern, an Ontario Works employee and newcomer to the local political scene, said the addictions crisis needs to be treated as a health care issue.
“It is a health care crisis and we definitely need more assistance from the province who oversees health care,” said Kern.
“We need to ensure our service providers do have the space to collaborate and do what they do best.”
Robert Peace, a newcomer to the Sault, is calling for greater collaboration between all levels of government.
“The barriers have to get broken down between government agencies, between provincial agencies, federal agencies,” Peace said.
“There are dollars, there’s just no leadership bringing these people together. And I think that’s what an effective, efficient mayor can do at city hall in Sault Ste. Marie.”
Councillor Matthew Shoemaker, who attended the meet-and-greet via Zoom, wants to see direct investment from the city to deal with the addictions crisis.
“What I’ve committed to doing, if elected, is putting municipal dollars into getting a safe consumption site established so that the province can take over the operation of that,” said Shoemaker.
Meantime, the City of Sault Ste. Marie said voter cards are in the mail and that advance polls open Oct. 8. Election Day is Oct. 24.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Chants of 'shame on you' greet guests arriving for the annual White House correspondents' dinner
An election-year roast of U.S. President Joe Biden before journalists, celebrities and politicians at the annual White House correspondents' dinner Saturday.
What is a 'halal mortgage'? Does it make housing more accessible?
The 2024 federal budget announced on April 16 included plans to introduce “halal mortgages” as a way to increase access to home ownership.
Here's where Canadians are living abroad: report
A recent report sheds light on Canadians living abroad--estimated at around four million people in 2016—and the public policies that impact them.
Deadly six-vehicle crash on Highway 400 sparked by road rage incident
One person was killed in a six-vehicle crash on Highway 400 in Innisfil Friday evening.
Opinion I just don't get Taylor Swift
It's one thing to say you like Taylor Swift and her music, but don't blame CNN's AJ Willingham's when she says she just 'doesn't get' the global phenomenon.
Invasive and toxic hammerhead worms make themselves at home in Ontario
Ontario is now home to an invasive and toxic worm species that can grow up to three feet long and can be dangerous to small animals and pets.
Harvey Weinstein hospitalized after return to New York from upstate prison
Harvey Weinstein’s lawyer said Saturday that the onetime movie mogul has been hospitalized for a battery of tests after his return to New York City following an appeals court ruling nullifying his 2020 rape conviction.
'We are declaring our readiness': No decision made yet as Poland declares it's ready to host nuclear weapons
Polish President Andrzej Duda says while no decision has been made around whether Poland will host nuclear weapons as part of an expansion of the NATO alliance’s nuclear sharing program, his country is willing and prepared to do so.
Central Alberta queer groups react to request from Red Deer-South to reinstate Jennifer Johnson to UCP caucus
A number of LGBQT+2s groups in Central Alberta are pushing back against a request from the Red Deer South UCP constituency to reinstate MLA Jennifer Johnson into the UCP caucus.