Sudbury's mayor on 2023 priorities for the city
Sudbury's new mayor, Paul Lefebvre, is heading into the new year with a list of priorities for the city, issues such as homelessness, addiction, and a new arena.
One of the first items on the list to tackle is infrastructure and make sure there is enough money set aside.
"How do we address that, make sure that there’s enough capital set aside for not only for this year, but having a plan for the next five to 10 years, and how to tackle that. So, I think it’s very important to articulate that to the community as well," Lefebvre said.
And with the municipal budget coming up, Lefebvre said it’s going to be a challenging one due to the $17 million deficit.
"That’s certainly one of the first things that we’re going to tackle as a council," Lefebvre said.
"As well as there’s major projects that we’re looking at that we’ve actually financed over the last few years, so what are we looking at for that? How do we approach that."
When it comes to the arena -- which has been a controversial topic of discussion for years -- Lefebvre said he thinks it should stay in the downtown core.
"I really believe that it’s important to have a strong, attractive place to be, that is downtown," he said.
"So, an arena, whatever form it takes. Is it a renovation? A retrofit to a new arena? What can we afford? There’s money set aside for that, so what can we do with that money? What can we accomplish? And I know that’s what the staff is working on at this time, to explore those options."
One growing issue in the city is homelessness, but the mayor said there will be plenty of positive changes coming this year in the way of new housing.
"We know we received federal funding a few years ago and that’s going to be built in the spring. As well as there’s other funding that we have been approved from the feds, again for housing, on this transitional housing," Lefebvre said.
"So, I really believe that by the end of 2023, 2024, we will be having around 60 to almost 80 new shelters, apartments for people that are in transitional housing needs, which is huge."
The mayor said he will not stop advocating for more when it comes to the homelessness situation.
In regards to the opioid crisis, Lefebvre said he is hoping to identify the gaps and address the services the city needs.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Former homicide detective explains how police will investigate shooting outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion
Footage from dozens of security cameras in the area of Drake’s Bridle Path mansion could be the key to identifying the suspect responsible for shooting and seriously injuring a security guard outside the rapper’s sprawling home early Tuesday morning, a former Toronto homicide detective says.
Federal government grants B.C.'s request to recriminalize hard drugs in public spaces
The federal government is granting British Columbia's request to recriminalize hard drugs in public spaces, nearly two weeks after the province asked to end its pilot project early over concerns of public drug use.
Stormy Daniels describes meeting Trump during occasionally graphic testimony in hush money trial
Stormy Daniels took the witness stand Tuesday at Donald Trump's hush money trial, describing for jurors a sexual encounter the porn actor says she had with him in 2006 that resulted in her being paid off to keep silent during the presidential race 10 years later.
MPs agree Canadian gov't should improve new disability benefit
The federal government needs to safeguard the incoming Canada Disability Benefit from clawbacks and do more to ensure it actually meets the stated aim of lifting people living with disabilities out of poverty, MPs from all parties agree.
Bye-bye bag fee: Calgary repeals single-use bylaw
A Calgary bylaw requiring businesses to charge a minimum bag fee and only provide single-use items when requested has officially been tossed.
CFL suspends Argos QB Chad Kelly at least nine games following investigation
The CFL suspended Toronto Argonauts quarterback Chad Kelly for at least nine regular-season games Tuesday following its investigation into a lawsuit filed by a former strength-and-conditioning coach against both the player and club.
Boy Scouts of America changing name for first time in 114 years, aiming for inclusivity
The Boy Scouts of America is changing its name for the first time in its 114-year history and will become Scouting America. It's a significant shift as the organization emerges from bankruptcy following a flood of sexual abuse claims and seeks to focus on inclusion.
opinion Tom Mulcair: Trudeau's handling of Poilievre's 'wacko' House turfing a clear sign of Liberal desperation
When Speaker Greg Fergus tossed out Pierre Poilievre from the House last week, "those of us who have experience as parliamentarians simply couldn't believe our eyes," writes former NDP leader Tom Mulcair in his column for CTVNews.ca
New charges for Ont. woman who previously admitted to defrauding doulas
The Brantford, Ont. woman who was previously sentenced to house arrest after admitting to deceiving doulas has been charged again in connection to a new victim.