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Mayoral race: Bigger vows to reduce red tape for business

Proposes city, developers share cost of a facilitator who would resolve disputes
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Greater Sudbury Mayor Brian Bigger speaks at a news conference Monday on Kelly Lake Road. (Darren MacDonald)

Greater Sudbury Mayor Brian Bigger says if re-elected Oct. 22, he'll create a new position of facilitator to resolve disputes between developers and city staff.

Bigger said the role wouldn't be full-time, and the cost would be shared between businesses and the city.

"It's a new initiative that I think will make our city more efficient, make it more developer friendly ... and make us a city where more people will want to invest and build and grow and make a life for themselves," Bigger said Monday. "This is how you save time and eliminate red tape."

Speaking at a news conference on Kelly Lake Road, Bigger was eager to push the message that the city's economic growth is strong and, as a result, there are several businesses who want to invest in the city.

"There are many eager investors right now, as we speak,” he told reporters. “We're seeing so much investment happening, but there could be much more."

Developers “constantly” contact him directly to try address problems getting approvals for their projects, Bigger said, so he realized it was time to find a way to streamline the process. 

"This summer, I met with several developers across our city,” he said. “I listened to them and I wanted to know what it would take to increase development and lessen the time it takes to start a project.

"We have more projects in the works -- obviously an arena is coming and we're focusing on seeing our greater city in a constant state of positive growth."

The facilitator would be someone agreed on by both the city and developers, and who is familiar with planning and building rules. Their role would be to address issues such as policy interpretations, building permits and a host of other issues that are part of the development process. 

"This will not be a full-time employee, but an appointed facilitator," he said. "The facilitator will be agreed upon by both the city and the developers. Costs will be shared equally between city and developers (and) the facilitator will issue the final decision in any matter that arises.”

Speaking to reporters after his announcement, Bigger said the facilitator's goal would be to reduce the time it takes to get approval for a development by resolving issues quickly.

"I know that it's often the interpretation of a policy or a misunderstanding and these kinds of things slow down development,” he said. "When people come to invest, there is a lot of policy, a lot of regulations that need to be considered and different ways of approaching investments.

“This about eliminating red tape and allowing the investors who are telling me they want to invest, and that time is money for them."


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Darren MacDonald

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