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
Most of Canada to receive emergency alert test today
The federal government will test its capacity to issue emergency alerts today, with the exception of Ontario, where the test will take place on May 15.
OPINION What King Charles' schedule being too 'full' to accommodate son suggests about relationship with Prince Harry
Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, has made headlines with his recent arrival in the U.K., this time to celebrate all things Invictus. But upon the prince landing in the U.K., we have already had confirmation that King Charles III won't have time to see his youngest son during his brief visit.
Ontario man devastated to learn $150,000 line of credit isn't insured after wife dies
An Ontario man found out that a line of credit he thought was insured actually isn't after his wife of 50 years died.
Boy Scouts of America is rebranding. Here's why they're now named Scouting America
After more than a century, Boy Scouts of America is rebranding as Scouting America, another major shakeup for an organization that once proudly resisted change.
Trial begins for Winnipeg serial killer who claims he was mentally ill
The trial of a man who admits he killed four women in Winnipeg is set to begin Wednesday, and a law professor says lawyers for Jeremy Skibicki have multiple hurdles to clear for a defence of mental illness.
New Canadian study could be a lifesaver for thousands suffering from CTE
A first-of-its-kind Canadian research study is working towards a major medical breakthrough for a brain disorder, believed to be caused by repeated head injuries, that can only be detected after death.
Rape, terror and death at sea: How a boat carrying Rohingya children, women and men capsized
In March, Indonesian officials and local fishermen rescued 75 people from the overturned hull of a boat off the coast of Indonesia. Until now, little was known about why the boat capsized.
Stormy Daniels describes meeting Trump during occasionally graphic testimony in hush money trial
With Donald Trump sitting just feet away, Stormy Daniels testified Tuesday at the former president's hush money trial about a sexual encounter the porn actor says they had in 2006 that resulted in her being paid to keep silent during the presidential race 10 years later.
These adults born in the '90s partnered with their parents to buy homes in Ontario
An Ontario woman said it would have been impossible to buy a house without her mother – an anecdote that animates the fact that over 17 per cent of Canadian homeowners born in the ‘90s own their property with their parents, according to a new report.