Timmins Mayor Michelle Boileau looking at the year that was in 2023 and the year that is to come.
She says one accomplishment that stands out last year is improved communication with the residents of Timmins. “That was something we had heard about going into the term and that we had committed to as a council, wanting to improve communication coming from the city.” She adds council also set a goal to better the amount of consultation and opportunities for public engagement. “We launched our first-ever budget engagement process which consisted of four meetings and an online survey.”
Boileau admits the city had some difficult conversations surrounding public safety last year with residents, but she still feels that just listening to what people are worried about should be viewed as a win. “Things really did seem to reach a boiling point in the community which means there are a lot of people paying attention, and that’s a good thing.”
She says another hardship facing a great number of residents in Timmins is affordability, something being felt by so many people across the province and the country. She adds decisions on infrastructure, including new and maintaining existing, are always challenges for council. “Hearing about the potholes in the road and other improvements needed comes up weekly. That’s something we have to keep top of mind as we are addressing the more kind of emerging, point-in-time type of issues.”
The mayor feels something the city needs to continue working on since they weren’t able to advance the file enough in 2023, is housing. She says it is one thing she regrets. “I think it’s understandable due to factors out of our hands. The rising cost of construction, workforce challenges, inflation, interest rates, and all the rest. We didn’t get to see as many new housing starts as I would have liked.”
Join us tomorrow as the mayor discusses issues council will be faced with as we begin 2024.