Five candidates vie for the position of North Bay mayor as the municipal election draws near. Each candidate was posed with three questions by CBC News ahead of the October 26 vote. Their responses, presented alphabetically by last name, are outlined below. CBC News has made edits to the responses solely for spelling, grammar, and word count purposes.
Connor Currie:
Connor Currie’s decision to run for mayor stemmed from the prior mayor’s expense scandal. He believed in the necessity of instigating positive change in North Bay and reinstating faith in the government. Despite evolving circumstances since announcing his candidacy in May, Currie remains confident in offering a fresh outlook to city hall. His key priorities encompass fostering trust and accountability in government, addressing housing diversity, homelessness, the West Ferris arena’s future, PFAS concerns in Trout Lake, and bolstering the city’s allure to residents and opportunities. If elected, his foremost focus would involve collaborating with the new council to outline shared objectives, scrutinize the city’s long-term plans, and acquaint himself with municipal operations for informed decision-making.
Melanie Demers:
Melanie Demers’ mayoral bid is fueled by her affection for North Bay and its inhabitants. She emphasizes the city’s neglect of its paramount asset: the youth. With a campaign motto of ‘It’s all about the kids!’, Demers draws on her over two decades of teaching experience to advocate for investing in young individuals. Instead of pursuing a principal role for financial gain, she aspires to effectuate city-wide transformation. Demers’ agenda revolves around prioritizing children, families, seniors, environmental preservation, and city hall accountability. She proposes initiatives like providing free parking for veterans, military personnel, police, and firefighters, alongside advocating for tax exemptions on healthcare workers’ overtime. If elected, her primary focus would be championing children and families in municipal decision-making, nurturing community partnerships, and enhancing public spaces for educational and recreational activities.
Maggie Horsfield:
Maggie Horsfield’s mayoral candidacy is motivated by her deep-rooted love for North Bay and her resolve to advocate for the community. Drawing from her four-year council tenure, she recognizes the city’s challenges and untapped potential. Horsfield stresses the populace’s yearning for steadfast, transparent leadership that offers pragmatic solutions. Her vision entails presenting a coherent strategy, fostering collaboration, and rekindling optimism about North Bay’s prospects. Key issues on her agenda encompass enhancing affordability and quality of life, ensuring community safety and public confidence, fostering sustainable economic growth, and modernizing city hall operations for improved service delivery. If elected, her initial focus would be reviving public trust, steering the council towards a clear direction, and expediting housing development to address affordability concerns swiftly.
Jaime Lowery:
Jaime Lowery’s mayoral aspirations are rooted in the urgent need for robust, pragmatic, and accountable governance in North Bay. With a background in executive leadership across various public sector domains, Lowery is equipped to translate plans into tangible outcomes. His campaign revolves around four core pillars: prudently managing public funds, reforming municipal governance for transparency, fostering economic growth, and nurturing strong communities and public safety. Lowery’s immediate goal, if elected, would be to reinstate fiscal discipline at city hall, align spending with community needs, and embark on infrastructure improvements, community safety initiatives, and enhancing city hall responsiveness. His overarching aim is to instill confidence in residents that the city is progressing purposefully.
Daniel Seguin:
Daniel Seguin is yet to provide a response to CBC News regarding his mayoral candidacy.