Good morning, Greater Sudbury! Here are a few stories to start your day on this Thursday morning.
Get your passport in 10 days at new Sudbury office
In welcome news for northern travellers, Sudbury will be home to a new ten-day passport office, part of new measures to improve service delivery at passport offices across the country. Sudbury MP Viviane Lapointe made the announcement today on behalf of both she and Nickel Belt MP Marc Serré. In addition to the existing passport offices offering pick-up service, Canadians with proof of travel can now both apply and request in-person pick-up of their passport at the 19 Lisgar St. location of Service Canada Sudbury, as well as seven other locations across the country. Unlike the regular Service Canada centres, these eight locations offer 10-day service, which means that Canadians can apply for a passport in one of those locations and the passport will be available in 10 business days, either by mail or in person pick-up.
Bigger declines to join his opponents in making a pay-cut pledge
While the vast majority of his political opponents make pay-cut pledges of varying amounts, Mayor Brian Bigger isn’t joining them. City council received backlash following the release of a Sudbury.com story last year in which it was clarified the mayor’s salary and benefits increased by 60 per cent in four years. The Greater Sudbury mayor’s total salary and benefits increased from $143,347 in 2016 to $228,873 in 2020, putting his earnings in the same ballpark as Premier Doug Ford’s. Much of the increase – approximately $45,000 – took place in 2019 in reaction to a tax change that found one-third of elected officials’ pay previously considered tax-exempt becoming taxed. Each city councillor’s pay was also boosted by approximately $6,000 each that year, all to help make up the difference and shield their take-home pay from the impacts of the tax change.
Sudbury to host a World Suicide Prevention Day Event on Saturday
Saturday will be a day of observance and awareness in Sudbury for suicide prevention. The Suicide Safer Network (SSN) said it is hosting a family-friendly memorial event on September 10 for World Suicide Prevention Day from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Elizabeth Street Gazebo in Bell Park. The Suicide Safer Network (SSN) are invested community members, survivors of suicide loss, front-line professionals, educators, and organizations committed to connecting community members to the resources and supports needed to empower people to provide life saving support and to heal from the loss of suicide. Organizers said the purpose of the event is to raise awareness about suicide, its impact, and the efforts underway to destigmatize suicide. The SSN group said roughly 11 people die by suicide every day in Canada.
Scrap Cancer fundraiser returns for 11th year
The Northern Cancer Foundation and Triple M Metal announced the kickoff to the 11th annual Scrap Cancer challenge. Running until Oct. 7, the event encourages the public to donate scrap metal and electronic waste, which is converted to cash to support the work of the Northern Cancer Foundation. The foundation raises funds and purchases equipment that supports the work of th Northeast Cancer Centre. “Last year, Scrap Cancer raised over $46,000, and this year we are trying to double that amount!” the foundation said in a news release. “Every dollar raised during this drive will directly support priority equipment, research, and patient care at the Northeast Cancer Centre.”
City report yields no cost-effective alternatives to road salt
Those seeking alternatives to sodium chloride (road salt) for de-icing roads and parking lots are likely to be disappointed in a new city report. Following a list of possible alternatives, a report by city engineering services director David Shelsted notes, “there are no cost-effective alternatives to salt,” with the vast majority at least 10 times more expensive than what the city already uses. It’s also unclear what the potential long-term impacts of many of the chemicals might be, while other options also contain chlorides or nitrogen, “and are also environmentally problematic.” The report is on the agenda for the Sept. 13 city council meeting. It was drafted at the request of city council to investigate ways of limiting the use of road salt at the Kingsway Entertainment District property, a now-cancelled municipal hockey arena/events centre planned for construction on The Kingsway.
City tasked with cutting $17.7M from 2023 budget
With next year’s budget forecast currently reflecting a property tax levy increase of 9.3 per cent, city administration has a steep hill to climb to meet city council’s 3.7 per cent increase target. “As in prior years, there are familiar, significant financial pressures,” according to a report by city finance co-ordinator Kelsi Bernier, which is on the Sept. 13 city council meeting agenda. “There are also additional pressures such as significant price changes due to inflation, affecting a variety of inputs such as increased energy costs, insurance, and contractual obligations. The potential remains for anticipated, but unrealized, senior government funding.” City council gave administration the 3.7 per cent 2023 tax increase target in June, which at the time was expected to include shaving off $16.3 million. The update up for city council discussion next week cites a need to reduce net costs by approximately $17.7 million.
Read the full story on the Sudbury.com homepage.
Another gorgeous day in the forecast
Expect another sunny gorgeous day with a high of 25. Fog patches will dissipate over the morning. Wind will become southwesterly at 20 km/h late in the afternoon. The UV index today is seven, or high. Tonight, the skies will stay clear and the mercury will dip to 14.
