2014 Greater Sudbury municipal election

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The 2014 Greater Sudbury municipal election was held on October 27, 2014 to elect a mayor and 12 city councillors in Greater Sudbury, Ontario. In addition, school trustees were elected to the Rainbow District School Board, Sudbury Catholic District School Board, Conseil scolaire de district du Grand Nord de l'Ontario and Conseil scolaire de district catholique du Nouvel-Ontario.

Contents

The election was held in conjunction with those held in other municipalities in the province of Ontario. For other elections, see 2014 Ontario municipal elections.

Candidate registration opened on January 2, 2014. The last day for candidate registration was September 12, 2014; although the offices of mayor and all twelve city council seats saw contested elections, some candidates for election to the school boards were declared acclaimed to office on that date as no opposing candidates registered by the deadline.

For the first time in the city's history, the 2014 election included an online voting option as part of efforts to increase voter turnout. [1]

Issues

The predominant election issue was the functioning of Greater Sudbury City Council in the 2010-14 term. Under mayor Marianne Matichuk, who was widely criticized as lacking the leadership skills necessary to build a working coalition of support for her agenda, [2] the council's work frequently bogged down in a state of political gridlock. [3]

In addition, the council faced extensive criticism for its 2013 decision to refuse oversight from the Ontario Ombudsman's office, [4] as well as the management of community development funds, disbursed by city councillors, which have been widely criticized as having the potential to be misused as political slush funds. [5]

In conjunction with the election, a municipal referendum was held on the issue of deregulating retail store hours in Greater Sudbury, which was one of the few cities in Ontario where retail stores were still not permitted to open on Boxing Day. [6] Matichuk had pledged to deregulate store hours in the 2010 election, although her motion to do so failed when she presented it to council on February 9, 2011; [7] the referendum was approved by council in September 2012. [6]

A poll conducted by Oraclepoll Research for the city's Northern Life newspaper found that despite the transparency and government effectiveness issues that had dominated the municipal political scene over the previous term, basic pocketbook issues such as road maintenance and property taxes were most commonly identified by voters as their main priorities in the election, with integrity and ethics ranking as the top priority for only a small minority of voters. [8]

Mayoral race

In the early months of the campaign, Matichuk's silence about her reelection plans gave rise to media speculation that Premier Kathleen Wynne planned to appoint Matichuk as the Ontario Liberal Party's candidate in the provincial electoral district of Sudbury for the 2014 provincial election. Both Wynne and Matichuk denied the reports; [9] [10] however, the speculation failed to die down because of Matichuk's continued lack of clarity about her plans, and the local Liberal riding association's inability to get a firm date commitment for its nomination meeting from the party's head office. [11] The party finally nominated Andrew Olivier as its candidate on May 8. [12] In addition, virtually all of the major figures from Matichuk's 2010 campaign team publicly declared that they would not participate in a 2014 campaign on her behalf. [13]

Matichuk announced on June 19 that she would not run for a second term as mayor. [14] Despite the controversies that marred her first term in office, however, Oraclepoll Research's first poll of the race, released on June 24, 2014, suggested that she still held a healthy lead over any of the declared candidates among decided voters, with 38.1 per cent support. [15]

Former mayor John Rodriguez, who was defeated by Matichuk in the 2010 election, registered as a candidate for mayor on May 9. [16] The other declared candidates were Jean-Raymond Audet; Jeanne Brohart; Brian Bigger, who took leave from his job as the city's auditor to mount his campaign; Ron Dupuis, the incumbent city councillor for Ward 5 (Valley East); [17] Jeff Huska, a biomedical engineering technologist at Health Sciences North; [18] Richard Majkot, a retired former staffer at Toronto City Hall; [19] Dan Melanson, the former president of a local taxpayers' lobby association who was himself an advisor to Matichuk's campaign in 2010; [20] and Ed Pokonzie and David Popescu, both perennial candidates in the Sudbury area. [21]

Opinion polls

Percentages of decided vote.

Polling firmLast date of pollingBiggerDupuisHuskaMelansonRodriguezOthersDon't know/
Wouldn't vote		Poll commissioned byReference
Oraclepoll ResearchOctober 22, 2014311652321434.1 Northern Life [22]
Oraclepoll ResearchOctober 16, 201434.915.14.724.719.83.838.7 Northern Life [23]
PrimeContactOctober 10, 201444.77.17.115.317.68.215Prime Contact [24]
Oraclepoll ResearchSeptember 26, 201433.29.66.423.722.34.825 Northern Life [25]
September 19, 201431.1136.422.526.50.530.4 CJTK-FM [26]

Election results

CandidateVotes%
Brian Bigger 27,30346.32
Dan Melanson11,34519.25
John Rodriguez 10,24317.38
Ron Dupuis5,1768.78
Jeff Huska2,5844.38
Richard Majkot1,4122.40
Jeanne Brohart4940.84
Jean-Raymond Audet2560.43
David Popescu670.11
Ed Pokonzie650.11
Total valid votes58,945100.0

Referendum

In conjunction with the municipal election, three referendum questions on store hours in the city were posed to voters.

The referendum results were not legally binding on the city, as participation on all three questions fell slightly short of 50 per cent of registered voters; although the overall election passed 50 per cent voter turnout, the referendum questions garnered only 47 per cent participation. [27] Some voters who were opposed to the proposal reportedly opted to abstain from the referendum questions, out of the mistaken perception that rather than bouncing the issue back to city council again, a failure to achieve 50 per cent turnout would make it legally impossible for any change in store hours to take place at all.

Mayor-elect Brian Bigger and several of the new councillors stated that they considered the result to be a sufficient mandate to proceed with deregulation of store hours, [27] and the city's store hours bylaw was repealed at the new council's first official business meeting on December 9, 2014. [28]

Question 1

Are you in favour of retail business establishments having the choice to open to the public on December 26?

ResponseVotes%
Yes34,31261.12
No21,82638.88

Question 2

Are you in favour of retail business establishments having the choice to open to the public on the Civic Holiday, the first Monday in August?

ResponseVotes%
Yes34,89462.38
No21,04737.62

Question 3

Are you in favour of allowing retail business establishments to choose the hours when they are open to the public?

ResponseVotes%
Yes42,51175.46
No13,82624.54

Council

Ward 1

Ward 1 was an open seat, as former councillor Joe Cimino was elected to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario in the 2014 provincial election. [29]

CandidateVotes%
Mark Signoretti1,78039.67
Chris Spry1,12525.07
Matt Alexander58913.13
Paul Soucie2746.11
Thomas Trainor2615.82
Denis Ferron2325.17
Mathieu Labonté1673.72
Sidney Shapiro591.31
Total valid votes

Ward 2

CandidateVotes%
Michael Vagnini2,75249.36
(incumbent) Jacques Barbeau2,19039.28
Daniel Xilon3987.14
Chad Odnokon1522.73
Joseph Palmateer831.49
Total valid votes

Ward 3

Ward 3 was an open seat after Claude Berthiaume announced his retirement from politics.

CandidateVotes%
Gerry Montpellier1,88442.14
Marcel Montpellier1,31129.32
Matt Belanger96021.47
Jesse Gaudet3167.07
Total valid votes4,471100%

Ward 4

CandidateVotes%
(incumbent) Evelyn Dutrisac2,11248.10
François Couture1,71339.01
Paul Lefebvre56612.89
Total valid votes

Richard Paquette was a registered candidate, but withdrew his candidacy for personal reasons in April. [19]

Ward 5

Ward 5 was an open seat, as incumbent councillor Ron Dupuis was a candidate in the mayoral race.

CandidateVotes%
Robert Kirwan1,46735.78
John Lundrigan96923.63
Richard Larcher89121.73
Joseph Berthelot48311.78
Kent MacNeill2907.07
Total valid votes

Ward 6

CandidateVotes%
René Lapierre1,93337.56
(incumbent) André Rivest1,66332.31
Fernand Bidal86516.81
Kevin Brault68613.33
Total valid votes

Ward 7

CandidateVotes%
Mike Jakubo 2,48650.90
(incumbent) Dave Kilgour1,52531.22
Robin Auger4148.48
Gordon Drysdale3717.60
Walter Prus881.80
Total valid votes

Frank Mazzuca, Jr. was a registered candidate, but withdrew on May 22, 2014.

Ward 8

CandidateVotes%
(incumbent) Al Sizer1,97345.04
Stefano Presenza1,04223.78
Michael Cullen1,01323.12
Gerry Perras2195.00
Kerry Latham1343.06
Total valid votes

Ward 9

CandidateVotes%
Deb McIntosh2,00035.28
Les Lisk1,03718.29
Wyman MacKinnon69112.19
Lin Gibson67911.98
Paul Stopciati65711.59
Aaron Beaudry3536.23
Will Thomson2524.45
Total valid votes

Ward 10

CandidateVotes%
Fern Cormier2,08538.84
John Antonioni1,20022.35
Hannu Piironen1,04219.41
Mila Wong79414.79
Steve Ripley2474.60
Total valid votes

Ward 11

CandidateVotes%
Lynne Reynolds2,19440.86
(incumbent) Terry Kett1,70031.73
Mike Bleskie85115.89
Chris Nerpin3566.65
Vincent Lacroix2564.78
Total valid votes

Ward 12

CandidateVotes%
(incumbent) Joscelyne Landry-Altmann2,17952.98
Tay Butt1,13627.62
Shawn Ouimet49812.06
Robert McCarthy3027.34
Total valid votes

Rainbow District School Board

Zone 1

Zone 1 consists of Wards 1 and 2 in the city.

CandidateVotes%
(incumbent) Gord Santala2,48342.58
Jennifer Michaud1,47725.33
John Hamalainen98216.84
Frank DeBurger89015.26
Total valid votes

Zone 2

Zone 2 consists of Wards 3 and 4 in the city, as well as much of the Unorganized North Sudbury District north of the city, including the townships of Cartier, Cascaden, Foy, Hart, Harty, Hess, Moncrieff, Shining Tree and Trill.

CandidateVotes%
(incumbent) Tyler Campbell1,71157.49
Anita Gibson1,26542.51
Total valid votes

Zone 3

Zone 3 consists of Wards 5 and 6 in the city.

CandidateVotes%
Judy Kosmerlyacclaimed

Zone 4

Zone 4 consists of Wards 7 and 8 in the city, as well as the outlying municipalities of French River, Killarney, Markstay-Warren and St. Charles, and the unorganized townships of Burwash, Cox, Davis, Eden, Hawley, Hendrie, Henry, James, Laura, Loughrin, Secord, Servos, Street and Tilton.

CandidateVotes%
(incumbent) Dena Morrisonacclaimed

Zone 5

Zone 5 consists of Wards 9 and 10 in the city.

CandidateVotes%
(incumbent) Doreen Dewar3,40459.67
Jessica Joy1,24821.88
Dylan Gibson1,05318.46
Total valid votes

Zone 6

Zone 6 consists of Wards 11 and 12 in the city.

CandidateVotes%
(incumbent) Judy Hundaacclaimed

Sudbury Catholic District School Board

Zone 1

Zone 1 consists of Wards 1 and 2 in the city.

CandidateVotes%
(incumbent) Estelle Scappatura1,19754.21
Clara Steele1,01145.79
Total valid votes

Zone 2

Zone 2 consists of Wards 3 and 4 in the city, as well as much of the Unorganized North Sudbury District north of the city, including the townships of Cartier, Cascaden, Foy, Hart, Harty, Hess, Moncrieff, Shining Tree and Trill.

CandidateVotes%
(incumbent) Raymond Desjardinsacclaimed

Zone 3

Zone 3 consists of Wards 5 and 6 in the city.

CandidateVotes%
(incumbent) Michael Bellmoreacclaimed

Zone 4

Zone 4 consists of Wards 7 and 8 in the city, as well as the outlying municipalities of Markstay-Warren and St. Charles.

CandidateVotes%
Nancy Deni1,24153.38
(incumbent) Barry MacDonald1,08446.62
Total valid votes

Zone 5

Zone 5 consists of Wards 9 and 10 in the city, as well as the outlying municipalities of French River and Killarney, and the unorganized townships of Burwash, Cox, Davis, Eden, Hawley, Henvey, Hendrie, Henry, James, Laura, Loughrin, Secord, Servos, Street, Tilton and Wallbridge.

CandidateVotes%
Tyler Peroni1,47752.38
Geraldine Meskell1,34347.62
Total valid votes

Zone 6

Zone 6 consists of Wards 11 and 12 in the city.

CandidateVotes%
(incumbent) Jody Cameronacclaimed

Cameron was subsequently removed from office on March 30, 2015, after failing to file his financial statements from the 2014 election by the filing deadline of March 27; [30] even though Cameron had been acclaimed to his seat and thus had no campaign expenses to report, he was still legally required to file a statement formally declaring his lack of expenses. [31] Calling the matter an accidental oversight, [31] Cameron appealed the decision and was reinstated as trustee and board chair in April. [32]

Conseil scolaire public du Grand Nord de l'Ontario

Zone 7

CandidateVotes%
Lynn Despatie28167.06
Françoise Monette13832.94
Total valid votes

Zone 8

CandidateVotes%
Robert Boileauacclaimed

Zone 9

CandidateVotes%
Claude Girouxacclaimed

Zone 10

CandidateVotes%
Jean-Marc Aubinacclaimed

Zone 11

CandidateVotes%
Raymond Labrecqueacclaimed

Zone 12

CandidateVotes%
François Boudreauacclaimed

Conseil scolaire de district catholique du Nouvel-Ontario

Zone 4

Two to be elected.

CandidateVotes%
Paul Demers1,95540.54
Louise Dubé1,70235.30
Paul Marleau1,16524.16
Total valid votes

Zone 5

Two to be elected.

CandidateVotes%
André Bidal2,72833.83
Marc Larochelle2,19327.19
Normand Courtemanche1,90623.63
Pierre Beaumier1,23815.35
Total valid votes

Zone 6

Two to be elected.

CandidateVotes%
Louise Essiembreacclaimed
Marcel Legaultacclaimed
Total valid votes

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References

  1. ↑ "As nomination deadline passes, attention turns to getting out the vote". Northern Life , September 16, 2014.
  2. ↑ "Taxpayers deserve better: Matichuk". Northern Life , September 28, 2012.
  3. ↑ "Get past public spats, former mayor urges council". Northern Life, October 10, 2012.
  4. ↑ "Council fires 'unbelievably rude' Ontario ombudsman". CBC News, February 13, 2013.
  5. ↑ "Slush fund showdown". Sudbury Star , February 21, 2012.
  6. 1 2 "Sudburians to decide store hours". Northern Life, September 12, 2012.
  7. ↑ "Regulated store hours to stay in Greater Sudbury". Northern Life , February 10, 2011.
  8. ↑ "Roads most important issue for Sudburians, poll finds". Northern Life , September 28, 2014.
  9. ↑ "There will be a Sudbury race: Wynne". Sudbury Star , March 24, 2014.
  10. ↑ "False rumours tying her to Liberals part of election season, Matichuk says". Northern Life , February 25, 2014.
  11. ↑ "Nomination delays frustrate Sudbury Liberals". Sudbury Star , March 28, 2014.
  12. ↑ "Andrew Olivier named Sudbury Liberal riding candidate". CBC News, May 9, 2014.
  13. ↑ "Mayor's 2010 campaign team won't be back". Sudbury Star , March 31, 2014.
  14. ↑ "Matichuk will not seek re-election". Sudbury Star , June 19, 2014.
  15. ↑ "Matichuk had big lead before quitting mayoral race, poll finds". Northern Life , June 24, 2014.
  16. ↑ "John Rodriguez aims to reclaim Sudbury mayor job". CBC News, May 9, 2014.
  17. ↑ "Dupuis sets his sights on mayor's seat in next municipal election". Northern Life , March 18, 2014.
  18. ↑ "Mayoral candidate wants accountability". Sudbury Star , March 13, 2014.
  19. 1 2 "Majkot joins mayoral race". Sudbury Star , April 21, 2014.
  20. ↑ "'Our cherished city is broken': Melanson". Sudbury Star , April 8, 2014.
  21. ↑ "Sudbury mayors' race sees 3 candidates step forward so far". CBC News, March 19, 2014.
  22. ↑ "Pollster: It's now a two-person race". Northern Life , October 22, 2014.
  23. ↑ "Most are undecided over who they want as Sudbury's mayor". Northern Life , October 20, 2014.
  24. ↑ "Sudbury mayor's race Bigger's to lose: Pollster". Sudbury Star , October 14, 2014.
  25. ↑ "Brian Bigger has most widespread support, poll finds". Northern Life , September 28, 2014.
  26. ↑ "Poll shows three-way race for mayor in Sudbury". Sudbury Star , October 7, 2014.
  27. 1 2 "Referendum fails, but Bigger will push for deregulation". Northern Life , October 28, 2014.
  28. ↑ "Council repeals Sudbury's store hours bylaw". Sudbury Star , December 10, 2014.
  29. ↑ "It's official: Cimino paints Sudbury riding orange". Northern Life , June 12, 2014.
  30. ↑ "Sudbury Catholic District School Board searches for new chair". CBC Sudbury, April 1, 2015.
  31. 1 2 "Catholic School Board chair removed from office". Sudbury Star , March 30, 2015.
  32. ↑ "Jody Cameron restored as chair of Sudbury Catholic School Board". CBC Sudbury, April 24, 2015.
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