The final mayoral debate in the 2018 municipal election campaign took place on Oct. 11 at the ParkSide Centre on Durham Street.
Hosted by the group CARP, a packed house of mainly senior citizens listened as candidates stake out their positions on issues pertinent to the city’s eldest voting demographic.
As expected, incumbent mayor Brian Bigger was the focus of attacks by the people trying to defeat him in the election.
After the debate, Bigger’s campaign issued a news release highlighting the seniors’ programs and services available in Greater Sudbury, as well as awards the city has received for programs it offers. Some but not all of these were instituted under Bigger’s tenure as mayor.
The full text of Bigger’s release appears below.
Following Thursday evening’s excellent debate at the Parkside Centre, hosted by the Sudbury CARP Association, Mayor Brian Bigger wanted to reiterate all the support, programming and focus the City of Sudbury extends to its ageing population.
“Last night was a great debate,” said Mayor Brian Bigger. “Our City needs to ensure we extend the level of respect our ageing population deserves. They are the foundation of Greater Sudbury and as Mayor I will ensure we keep our City accessible and as friendly as we can for every single one of our great residents.”
Below are some of the priorities and programs currently underway or ongoing within the City of greater Sudbury:
- Creating an Age Friendly Community was one of our ten Population Health Priorities
- Our Age Friendly Community Action Plan & Received an Award from the Ministry of Seniors Affairs
- Anadel Hastie & Barbara Nott, both Co-Chairs of Seniors Advisory Panel to Mayor and Council received Provincial Recognition for Senior Volunteerism.
- The Keeping Seniors Warm annual event is incredibly successful in helping seniors in need across our community
- Established a Community Paramedicine Program that provides post hospital admission support and care for seniors in their homes
- Aging in Place Annual Conference
- Successful with New Horizon Grants - Pickle Ball, Research at Pioneer Manor, Francophone Programming for Pioneer Manor
- We Fund Seniors Active Living Centres (formerly Elderly Person Grant) - $89,107 in 2017. Plus $148,453 specific to Parkside Older Adult Operation Costs
- Winter Walking now available in arenas during winter month
- Established Greater Sudbury Seniors Network which has over 52 Not for Profit Organizations that work to improve services and community support within the city.
- Created the Seniors Active Living Guide
- Transit - Booklets on how to use conventional transit, Handi-transit with training available
- Seniors free rides on transit has evolved to a program for those most needing financial assistance
- Seniors Tax Rebate provided for Low Income
- Currently evaluating affordability of access to transit and leisure services
Over Bigger’s term of the last four years, despite higher forecasts, Mayor Bigger has held taxes down to an average under 2.2% per year. (The lowest tax increase over a four-year council term since 2003).
Learn more about Brian Bigger’s campaign by visiting his election page on Sudbury.com.
