Timmins mayoral candidate says his businesses won't be conflicts of interest, if elected
The owner of a taxi company and an automotive repair shop in Timmins tells CTV News he will step away from running his businesses to focus on fixing chronic issues in the city if he's elected mayor in the upcoming municipal election.
Rick Lafleur said he wants to use his business experience to bring more companies and residents to the city, as well as tackle crime, homelessness and high property taxes for homeowners.
Lafleur said his own business interests won't distract him from his goals, if he gets the mayor's seat.
"I will not be involved at all, within the companies, I'll be focussing 110 per cent on the city," said Lafleur.
"I'm ready to roll up my sleeves and put the energy into the city."
His taxi company often deals with the Timmins Police Services Board on regulatory matters for taxis and Lafleur often works with city officials as a businessperson.
But, Lafleur said his wife and other management will be taking over the operations of his companies, which he said will limit any conflicts of interest in his mayoral duties, if elected.
"They will be dealing with the police service board or any other matters that come forth," he said.
"The time is right and I've got the right people in place now."
He is one of only two candidates running in the Oct. 24 municipal election.
His only challenger for the mayor's position is Michelle Boileau, a current Timmins city councillor finishing her first term.
Timmins Ward 5 Coun. Michelle Boileau. Aug. 15/22 (Lydia Chubak/CTV Northern Ontario)
Earlier this week, Ward 3 Coun. Joe Campbell told CTV News in a phone interview that he is seriously considering running for the mayor's chair. His name does not appear on the candidates list as of Friday morning.
Find the list of Timmins candidates running in the municipal election here.
Find voting information here.
Background
Timmins' current mayor is Kristin Murray, a city councillor and deputy mayor, who took on the role after George Pirie was elected as Timmins MPP in June. She has not appeared on the nomination list as of Aug. 18. The deadline to file nomiation papers is Aug. 19 at 2 p.m.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Quebec nurse had to clean up after husband's death in Montreal hospital
On a night she should have been mourning, a nurse from Quebec's Laurentians region says she was forced to clean up her husband after he died at a hospital in Montreal.
Northern Ont. lawyer who abandoned clients in child protection cases disbarred
A North Bay, Ont., lawyer who abandoned 15 clients – many of them child protection cases – has lost his licence to practise law.
Bank of Canada officials split on when to start cutting interest rates
Members of the Bank of Canada's governing council were split on how long the central bank should wait before it starts cutting interest rates when they met earlier this month.
Maple Leafs fall to Bruins in Game 3, trail series 2-1
Brad Marchand scored twice, including the winner in the third period, and added an assist as the Boston Bruins downed the Toronto Maple Leafs 4-2 to take a 2-1 lead in their first-round playoff series Wednesday
Cuban government apologizes to Montreal-area family after delivering wrong body
Cuba's foreign affairs minister has apologized to a Montreal-area family after they were sent the wrong body following the death of a loved one.
'It was instant karma': Viral video captures failed theft attempt in Nanaimo, B.C.
Mounties in Nanaimo, B.C., say two late-night revellers are lucky their allegedly drunken antics weren't reported to police after security cameras captured the men trying to steal a heavy sign from a downtown business.
What is changing about Canada's capital gains tax and how does it impact me?
The federal government's proposed change to capital gains taxation is expected to increase taxes on investments and mainly affect wealthy Canadians and businesses. Here's what you need to know about the move.
New Indigenous loan guarantee program a 'really big deal,' Freeland says at Toronto conference
Canada's Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland was among the 1,700 delegates attending the two-day First Nations Major Projects Coalition (FNMPC) conference that concluded Tuesday in Toronto.
'Life was not fair to him': Daughter of N.B. man exonerated of murder remembers him as a kind soul
The daughter of a New Brunswick man recently exonerated from murder, is remembering her father as somebody who, despite a wrongful conviction, never became bitter or angry.