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
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment which has been banned at Queen’s Park.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
Body of Quebec man who died in Cuba found in Russia, family confirms
A Montreal-area family confirmed to CTV News that the body of their loved one who died while on vacation in Cuba is being repatriated to Canada after it was mistakenly sent to Russia.
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
Saskatchewan isn't remitting the carbon tax on home heating. Why isn't my province following suit?
After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the federal government would still send Canada Carbon Rebate cheques to Saskatchewan residents, despite Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe's decision to stop collecting the carbon tax on natural gas or home heating, questions were raised about whether other provinces would follow suit. CTV News reached out across the country and here's what we found out.
Montreal actress calls Weinstein ruling 'discouraging' but not surprising
A Montreal actress, who has previously detailed incidents she had with disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, says a New York Court of Appeals decision overturning his 2020 rape conviction is 'discouraging' but not surprising.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
RCMP officers had no legal authority to enter man's home, make arrest: B.C. court
A B.C. man has been found not guilty of assaulting two RCMP officers – with the court finding he was resisting an "unlawful entry and arrest" in his home before he was tasered, taken down and hauled away in handcuffs.