The Mayoral Candidates in the upcoming Municipal Election debated about business-related topics yesterday at the Timmins Chamber of Commerce Business Debate at the Porcupine Dante Club.

Candidates George Pirie, Lauchlan McInnes, Daniel Fortier, Raymond Burey and Steve Black exchanged their views on several issues relating to Timmins businesses and the future of the city.

The first topic the candidates discussed was on having a transparent city council that would be more responsive to the city’s business needs.

Burey started things off by saying he’d advocate for a council of 4 with 1 mayor. He expressed the need for council to represent seniors, youths, Indigenous Peoples, and French-speaking citizens. Fortier agreed that the French population needs to be better represented and he added that council should be talking to the citizens more often. Pirie said that the business community needs to be at the council table so that council can better understand the key economic drivers for the community. He would support a committee system for council. Black said council does meet with members of the business community every month and that many meetings were had before the Municipal Accommodation Tax was brought to council. Black said open dialogue is key and if re-elected, he will continue having open discussions with members of the business community.

The construction of the highly-debated aquatic centre was the next topic. Burey argued against the sports complex, saying it would be a waste of money to tear down one good building just to build a new one. He emphasized the need to fix the current pool and he suggested that if there were to be a new pool, it should be brought to the downtown area so encourage a Smart City, which would increase housing opportunities downtown and encourage a growth in population to help grow the downtown area. Fortier said he’s spoken with doctors who wanted to open a practice in Timmins but said there was nothing to do in the city. Fortier supported the aquatic centre if there is money to build it. He said if there is no money, then it’s not worth it. Pirie referenced the Timmins 2020 Plan and said the city should not go ahead with the plan until more studies are done. He emphasized the importance of reviewing the options and needs of the community and said the majority of chamber members said “no” to the pool and that they would not finance it. Black said the city has done a strategic plan and studies for the new sports complex and that all the recommended steps have been completed. He said the city would only go ahead with the plan if funding from the Federal and Provincial level was available. Black said he’d happily support the pool if they can get the proper funding. MacInnes echoed Black’s thoughts and added that the new complex could increase tourism and be used to host other events. He also said the pool needs the proper funding to go forward.

The candidates were then asked about what partnerships they would pursue to grow the economy. Fortier said he will work with manufactures to help with affordable homes, recycling, jobs and more. Pirie emphasized the importance of a partnership with the Mushkegowuk and Indigenous community. He said we need to be a partner with them and that we can help drive the cultural advances in the city with their support. Black agreed that partnerships with the Indigenous community are key and that the city also needs industrial and commercial partners. He says this is crucial to attracting more jobs and more people to Timmins. He also expressed the importance of Timmins getting the NORONT Smelter and the opening of new mines. MacInnes said the city needs to support its manufacturing partners and that the city needs to protect its resources. Burey said Industry partners should be at the council table and should help financially support the city with things like infrastructure.

The candidates were asked about budget cuts and what they would cut if elected. Black praised the city’s public services and when asked to cut the budget of these services, he happily declined. He said there can be fiscal responsibility without services being cut. He supported keeping Golden Manor operating and he rejected the development of two new fire stations in Porcupine and Whitney. MacInnes said cutting larger city events like Stars and Thunder could help spread the wealth to smaller events and services the city needs. He also said big companies that operate in the area should help contribute to the city and bring some money to the table. Burey said, regarding the Golden Manor, that he would see a private company come and operate the facility.and he would hope new management could help the Manor get out of debt. Fortier said he wouldn’t cut anything right now and that he’s willing to donate his own wages for the first two months on the job to a special cause in Timmins. Pirie said there is too much red tape at City Hall and no one can get anything done because of the bylaw regulations. He said people are waiting for funds and services.

The candidates then gave their thoughts on how they will attract new businesses to Timmins, if elected. MacInnes said the red tape at City Hall causes construction delays and more. He said the city needs to be in proper condition to attract new businesses, meaning work needs to be done on the roads and infrastructure. Burey said he would streamline the way the city does business, making Timmins more business friendly with no red tape and no hold ups that stall our growth. Fortier emphasized the need to beautify the city and invest in more green spaces and more places for people to go in downtown Timmins. Pirie said we need to support our businesses so their operating costs and taxes are more affordable. Black said he would support the CIP program expansion, enhanced downtown snow removal and a rail park for exports. MacInnes said he would grow the city so there was more money for infrastructure to promote more growth. He said the city needs proper infrastructure access so businesses can be developed.

The future of Timmins was the next topic and candidates shared what they saw as an ideal future for the city. Pirie said the declining population is bad for the city and that we need to work to allow young people to stay and live here. He would restart the Timmins Youth Council so address the needs of young people. He said we need to diversify the economy and support the indigenous communities as they are the fastest growing population that could stay, live and work here. Black said the city needs to be seen as an attractive place to live if the youth are going to stay. He said we need to work with big industries like NORONT and GoldCorp to bring people into the community so they can spend in the community. MacInnes said the city will continue to grow if it has the proper infrastructure and attention is put on the beautification of the city. He said making it a place people want to live will combat the population decline. Burey said the Smart City in downtown Timmins will attract young people to live here. And Fortier said the city could look at more technology, like robotics, the draw the attention of young people. He also said movable homes could be an affordable solution to the housing crisis.

The candidates made their closing statements and Pirie mentioned having an open, transparent government for the people of Timmins. He emphasized the need for fiscal responsibility and that the challenges ahead can be tackled if the city works together with all its partners. Fortier said the boy’s club mentality at City Hall needs to stop and that the mayor should not be sitting on any boards; that’s for members of City Council to do and share information with the mayor. He said the roads need to be fixed and people should be allowed to drive their ski-dos on sidewalks in the winter. Burey said the city needs to incorporate a Smart City into the downtown area and invest in a new bypass. MacInnes said big businesses should share their wealth to ease the tax burden on smaller businesses. He said people need affordable homes and he would work to beautify the city and improve its infrastructure. Black said he thinks Timmins is on the right track. He said he works closely with the Timmins Chamber and is hoping to see the NORONT Smelter come to Timmins. He said he’s happy to work with any Councillor elected and he hopes he’ll have that chance if he’s re-elected.

All Mayoral Candidates spoke passionately about issues facing Timmins. The citizens of Timmins will decide who will be the next mayor of the city on Monday, Oct. 22nd, when they go to the polls for the Municipal Election.

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