With nominations closing Friday afternoon, ballots will soon be printed for this fall’s municipal elections in northeastern Ontario.
In Greater SudburyMayor Brian Bigger is aiming for a third straight win against nine challengers.
They include former Sudbury Liberal MP Paul Lefebvre, former Sudbury city councilors Evelyn Dutrisac and Mila Wong, political newcomers Miranda Rocca-Circelli, Devin Labranche and longtime downtown businessman Don Gravelle. city Tony Monteleone, poverty activist Bob Johnston and perennial religious extremist candidate David Popescu.
Forty candidates ran for Sudbury City Council’s 12 seats, up from 43 in 2018 and 60 in 2014.
There will be a new Councilor representing Ward 7 for the next four years, Mike Jakubo retiring.
There are four candidates on the ballot: Randy Hazlett, a former French River councilor who ran for PC in Nickel Belt in the last Ontario election, former Manitouwadge councilor Natalie Labbée and political recruits Daniel Wiebes and Mark McKillop.
Sault Ste. Marie, North Bay and Timmins will all have a new mayor this fall.
In the SaultMayor Christian Provenzano leaves the chain of office after two terms and five candidates are running to replace him: incumbent councilors Matthew Shoemaker and Donna Hilsinger, former councilor Ozzie Grandinetti, climate activist Tobin Kern and relations consultant Public Robert Peace.
Most City Council incumbents are looking to return, aside from retired Rick Niro.
Notable names on the list of council candidates include Sonny Spina, who as a federal Conservative candidate came within a few hundred votes of being an MP in September 2021, and Marek McLeod, a young First Nation member from Thessalon who, during that same federal campaign, asked a question of federal leaders during a televised debate.
North Bay Mayor Al McDonald is retiring after 12 years in the city’s top job and hopes to replace him with councilwoman Johanne Brousseau, former councilman and city manager Peter Chirico and political rookie Leslie McVeety.
Some 28 candidates are running for the 10 seats on North Bay City Council, including most of the incumbents, former councilors Sheldon Forgette and Derek Shogren, as well as Jamie Lowery, CEO of the Cassellholme long-term care home.
With Timmins Mayor George Pirie is entering provincial politics, current city councilors Michelle Boileau and Joe Campbell are hoping for the big chair, as is local businessman Rick Lafleur.
Pretty quiet races for the Timmins City Council. As of Friday afternoon, Rock Whissel and Bill Gvozdanovic seem acclaimed without any opponent. Most of the incumbent councilors are running this fall, along with former councilman Rick Dubeau, who was elected in 2018 while facing criminal corruption charges that were later dropped.
Some of the races to watch elsewhere in the northeast include West Nipissing, where in-council disputes have escalated so much over the past year that the province has had to step in.
Mayor Joanne Savage is not running again, but one of her main rivals, Councilor Dan Roveda, is seeking the top job, as are political newcomers Kathleen Thorne Rochon and Dave Lewington.
In Elliot Lake, Councilman Chris Patrie is challenging Mayor Dan Marchisella, who is seeking a third term.
Cochane will see a rematch of the 2018 mayoral race, with Peter Politis hoping to reclaim the seat from Denis Clement, who beat him by just five votes four years ago.
There will be new mayors in Temiskaming Shores and Kirkland Lake with the retirement of Carman Kidd and Pat Kiely.
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