Part 5

I am also pleased to report on the progress we are making with our Community Improvement Plans.

In December of 2016, a new Downtown Sudbury Community Improvement Plan was approved by Council. It includes a number of financial incentives intended to foster investment, re-development and residential unit creation in the downtown.

We’re also working on Community Improvement Plans in Chelmsford and Capreol, and staff are also working on a nodes and corridors study in support of responsible planning and development across our city.

I’ve given you so much information and I have not yet discussed the Large Projects initiatives which Council will be meeting to discuss on June 27^th and 28^th.

We have some big decisions to make in the next week. Transformational decisions.

Now I know many of you here are probably wondering if I am going to speak about my opinion on where the event centre should be located, but I would like to have that discussion at Council to respect both my Council and the process.

Council voted in favour of an open, transparent, fair and competitive process with the aid of PriceWaterhouseCoopers.

Mr. Ron Bidulka and our team at the City have worked hard to ensure that Council has received the best information available to make the most informed decision when the time comes.

The intended goal of the report on the event centre was always to ensure that Council had the information that it required.  I’m currently reviewing the report from the consultant and look forward to the discussion next week. I would like to thank the public for their patience.

Like I’ve said through my speech: we need to lean in.

On the 28^th, Council will be meeting to receive an update on the Library-Art Gallery as well as the Synergy Centre.

The working group believes they can host up to 250 events annually by year 5 of operations and boost the number of events held in Greater Sudbury by 25%, generating $23 million in direct and indirect returns to our City’s GDP.

We need a convention centre and I look forward to these discussions as well.

Council will also be receiving an update on a new home for the main library and art gallery. Proponents of this project have found many similarities in working together alongside Lord Cultural Resources and are moving along well in their efforts.

And as I talk about all of these amazing projects, I think about the people who use them… you the residents.

And I am reminded that it’s you: the people that are the reason Why I Love Greater Sudbury and why I am so proud to be your Mayor.

It’s about everyone in this room – that are helping to build Greater Sudbury. As I said previously, I want to lean in, to deliver results for all of you.

It’s exciting to think about the prospects ahead for Greater Sudbury but it’s important that we understand that we can afford them AND fix more infrastructure at the same time.

In conclusion, I want to thank you, the people, for making my job so enjoyable.  

I remain confident that we are on the right path forward and we will achieve our goals when we work together.

Thank you very much. Merci beaucoup mes amis.
 

Chi-Miigwech.