mayor mcdonald - address to the community - may 29-2012

7/31/2019 Mayor Mcdonald - Address to the Community - May 29-2012

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As of May 29, 2012

MAYOR’S BUSINESS LUNCH REMARKS DAVEDI CLUB NORTH BAY

Tuesday, May 29, 2012 – 12:00 Noon

1. Good Afternoon, welcome and thank you for

taking the time out of your busy day.

2. It is the people in this room, and many others

that couldn’t attend, that drive the economic

engine of North Bay and make this community

such a great place to live, work and play.

3. As Mayor of the City of North Bay, I am

extremely proud of our City, citizens, and

businesses - and very proud to recognize my

fellow Councillors for their commitment and



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dedication towards improving our community

and the entire North.

4. As I have stated before, but it is worth

mentioning again, our Councillors put in long

hours on behalf of the community - which goes

unrecognized by most.

5. Our Council consists of individuals with a wide

range of experience and interests – ranging from

social, environmental, and economic – which

help to maintain a balanced approach to decision

making within the community

6. In addition to Council – the City has a strong

Senior Management Team – this team haschanged and evolved over the past 5 years to

include a new Chief Financial Officer, new



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Director of Human Resources and Managing

Director of Corporate Services, new City Solicitor,

and now a new Managing Director of

Community Services – and will continue to

change and evolve with the retirement of our

current CAO Dave Linkie and his replacement

Jerry Knox.

7. Our Senior Management Team will continue to

provide strong leadership and advice to Council –

together with all of the staff at the City – we are

implementing the plans and strategies that I will

be touching on today.

8. The relationship between City Council and Staff

has been built on respect, trust and the

understanding of our respective roles and



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responsibilities and it is very strong. There is a

mutual commitment to ensure this relationship

thrives, for without it, we will be unable to

work cohesively in moving the community

forward.

9. As leaders, and interested citizens, I also wantto take the time to acknowledge your

contributions and involvement in working

together to make our community stronger.

10. Only by continuing to work together can we

meet the challenges before us - seize the

opportunities presented - and carve out our

own future.

11. North Bay is one of five large municipalities in

Northern Ontario – and we are recognized as



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being a vibrant, diverse, innovative, and safe

place to live.

12. North Bay-ites should step back - just for a

moment - and look around and see what we

have: beautiful waterfront; brand new state-of-

the-art Hospital; Nipissing and CanadoreEducation Centres; an Airport that can handle

any size plane in the world; the Capitol Centre;

two beautiful lakes with great water quality; a

natural escarpment which has recently been

protected; CFB North Bay; and, most

importantly, a diverse stable economy.

13. We are the envy of many.



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14. Today, I want to talk to you about some of our

challenges, some recent successes – and the

future for North Bay.

15. The most pressing challenge at this time facing

North Bay and the Northeast is the Province’s

announcement of “The divesture of the OntarioNorthland Transportation Commission”.

16. This issue is much larger than the loss of jobs or

services - it is a loss of an institution designed to

develop and service the people and businesses

of the North; it represents a potential demise of

the infrastructure we need as Northerners to

service businesses, citizens, and communities as

well as attract new investment.



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17. As municipal leaders in the North we are simply

asking to be engaged in the process, to ensure a

criterion is in place that protects jobs,

businesses and communities of the North - and

that a new deal be in place that can be

supported by the North.

18. I don’t want to diminish the challenge we have

ahead of us but our city has faced bigger

challenges in the past namely the layoff of 2600

public sector employees between 1991 and

1996 that was layoffs with jobs never coming

back.

19. We met that challenge, we re-gained

population, diversified the economy, and by

hard work by everybody – including you, our



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partners at the Province and Federal

governments and your council – we made it

work, so let’s work together again and meet this

challenge.

20. As I stated in my introduction, let’s talk about

recent successes.

21. Firstly - on behalf of Council and the citizens of

North Bay – let me thank you for promoting

North Bay around the world.

22. Because of your commitment and investment in

North Bay and the associated employment –

North Bay continues to enjoy growth in all

sectors of our economy - industrial, commercial,

housing, institutional, advanced manufacturing,



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Information Communication Technology, and

Mining Services to name a few.

23. North Bay’s economy is strong because of its

diversity, but we must continually strive to

support and seek out further growth in existing

and new business.

24. Much of the City’s industry is globalized and

serves international clients – we are fortunate

to not be dependent on any one market.

25. In our City – we have:

Forestry and Mining companies

A strong Tourism sector

Advanced Manufacturing

Aviation/ Aerospace Industry



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Information Communication Technology

companies

Alternate Energy companies

Health Services companies

The Public sector (our federal and provincial

partners)

Residential, commercial, industrial and

institutional development companies

And let’s not forget the critical role of

Nipissing University and Canadore college

26. By anyone’s measure, this is an impressive list.

27. With your help – and the commitment of

Council – we will continue to grow these

economic sectors and develop new ones.



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28. The strength of our local economy was evident

during the economic downturn that affected

communities worldwide.

29. While we weren’t unscathed by the downturn,

we certainly weathered it better than most.

30. Let me briefly touch on North Bay’s key

economic sectors

31. Mining Services.

32. In North Bay, the Mining services industry alone

has in excess of 65 local companies, employing

approx. 3,000 people and servicing the world’s

mining needs.



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33. These are highly advanced companies that

manufacture world class products or offer

highly technical expertise.

34. This is a bit of a “hidden economy” since we, as

the general public, often do not see the fruits of

their labour.

35. But believe me, these companies are pillars of

the community, employing highly-skilled

professionals.

36. Advanced Manufacturing, Aerospace and

Aviation continue to expand.

37. The City of North Bay is supporting the

continued growth of our local industrial sector

by developing a new Aviation Industrial Park at

the North Bay Airport.



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38. This park will provide North Bay with an

opportunity for business investment on either

364 acres ground or 235 acres airside land

making it attractive to the manufacturing,

aviation and aerospace industries.

39. This will ensure that in the future, our industrialmanufacturers will have access to serviced

lands to establish new operations or to expand

their business.

40. In addition to long established aerospace

companies such as Bombardier/Vortex,

Voyageur Airways, Canadore’s School of

Aviation, 3 excellent helicopter operations,

Nasittuq etc., the new Airport Park will see at

least three new businesses establish shortly.



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41. We’re working closely with the Airport Manager

and his Board to ensure we maintain the

significant competitive advantages afforded to

us by the 10,000-foot runway.

42. The 10,000-foot runway is only 1 of 4 in Ontario

– it, combined with our existing noise contoursaround the airport lands – allows us to land any

size plane in the world.

43. This runway and investments in the Airport –

including an expansion to the existing Airport

Terminal and serviced industrial land combined

with new international flights through Sunwing

and Air Transat, and trying to attract new

carriers – provides us with a great opportunity.



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44. In the future, you will see hundreds of new jobs

at the Airport, creating the kind of real growth

that will help us overcome some of the

challenges that I mentioned earlier.

45. Information Communication Technology.

46. North Bay is home to a diverse cluster of

Information Communication Technology (ICT)

companies - many of which are small- and

medium-sized enterprises.

47. These companies take advantage of our state-

of-the-art telecommunications infrastructure,

skilled workforce and lower operating costs to

service a global market.



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48. Our existing firms are enhancing their current

offerings and / or expanding into markets

including digital media, 2D/3D conversion, film,

mobile, advanced programming and

development, repair and overhaul, data storage

and next generation of contact management

centres focusing primarily on back office

shared/service opportunities.

49. Some examples of growth in the ICT sector

include:

a. Canadore College’s new 2D-3D

conversion lab that supports their

new Integrated Media Centre

(private/public sector partnership).

This is a phenomenal project that



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will support the growing film

industry within the Community.

b. Expansion of contact management

centres’ lines of business to include

their client’s National E-chat

program (result of bilingual skill setsand labour capabilities)

c. Local software development firms

securing contracts across multiple

sectors – mining to health care

applications – another example of

our diversified economy.

d. Development (and hopefully soonto be commercialization/



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deployment) of new mobile

application for health care; and

e. Development of the film sector has

provided 10 completed

productions, 6 projects currently

underway and 39 currentprospects/leads.

50. Commercial Development.

51. A strong commercial sector creates jobs and

investments that support the entire community.

52. It is evident that North Bay has long been the

main commercial sector of the Nipissing

District.



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53. North Bay’s “Trade Area” serves approximately

112,000 people, ranging from Temagami in the

North to Burk’s Falls in the South, West

Nipissing in the West to Mattawa/Temiskaming

in the East.

54. But did you know that our commercial sectoractually draws from a much wider radius than

just Nipissing?

55. Approximately 1 in 6 shoppers come from

outside of North Bay’s “Trade Area.”

56. North Bay’s commercial landscape is made up

of four commercial nodes:

a. Lakeshore

b. Downtown DIA



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c. Northgate Square; and

d. McKeown Avenue

57. New commercial growth has been achieved

without jeopardizing the viability of existing

commercial developments, generating a net

gain in both assessment and employment.

58. Our strategy has been to attract commercial

development that is complementary to the

community.

59. Some examples of real development that will be

experienced within the next two years is the

near complete build out of McKeown Avenue

with nearly 200,000 square feet of new

commercial space.



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60. We also see the announcement by Target and

Sobey’s to invest in excess of $10 million in their

current facilities.

61. Wal-Mart has moved forward with the

expansion of their store by 30,000 square feet

for new superstore resulting in an investment of over $9 Million

62. The City is investing in the extension of services

down Lakeshore Drive to Pinewood Park Drive

to support existing and to create new highway

commercial businesses and increase

assessment.

63. Residential Development.



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64. Over the past ten years, North Bay has seen the

highest levels of residential growth in our

history.

65. This was shown in an average single family

starts of 78 per year and a construction value of

over $20 Million.

66. While largely geared towards single family

dwellings, we have supported affordable home

ownership developments.

67. We continue to work with DNSSAB to facilitate

and encourage new affordable housing options

within the community.

68. In addition – we have progressive policies for

infill development in existing neighbourhoods

and the conversion of older homes – this helps



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to reduce costs and support existing city

services.

69. The home builders within the community face

challenges with respect to land servicing and

site preparation costs – we work with these

groups though our Development LiaisonAdvisory Committee to help streamline the

development process while ensuring

development does not occur at the expense of

existing residents.

70. Institutional Growth.

71. Institutional growth over the past few years has

been record breaking.

72. With the construction of the North Bay Regional

Health Centre, One Kids Place Children’s



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Treatment centre; Harris Learning Library and

Nipissing University athletic facility expansion.

73. Also, Canadore College’s new residence (a

private sector partnership with the College) is

taking shape and is scheduled to be open in Fall

2012.

74. Speaking of Nipissing University and Canadore

College.

75. I would like to point out that they are key

partners in the growth and sustainability of our

community with an annual economic impact of

over $150 million.

76. From training and employment to sport and

culture these two institutions play a



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tremendously important role in our City and

throughout the region.

77. The growth I just discussed has not happened

by an accident or luck. Council, Staff, and

community leaders have worked closely in

pursuing leads and finding creative solutions toseek investment.

78. We continue to utilize our Business Retention

and Expansion Program to identify not only

opportunities – but also challenges and

concerns – so we can work together to make a

better North Bay.

79. In addition to our economic developmentstrategy to ensure the growth of our key

sectors, the City has developed plans, strategies



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and tools to help maintain or enhance North

Bay’s profile as a great place to live and invest.

80. In addition to residential, industrial, commercial

and institutional development growth - we have

also work closely on developing the health

services sector and the tourism sector andaddressing challenges such as skilled labour

shortages.

81. With respect to Health Services.

82. Health care and physician recruitment is a

challenge not only in North Bay, but also in

Ontario and Canada.

83. As a result, we have identified Health Services

as a growth sector and have a strategy to



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continually improve care and access within our

community.

84. The City of North Bay realizes the importance of

not only family physicians but specialized

services and new facilities to the community.

85. As you know, the City has committed $20

million to the new hospital.

86. In addition, we have partnered with the

hospital on physician recruitment strategy,

which has resulted in 36 new doctors since

2006, 13 doctors alone since 2011, and worked

with the Nurse Practitioner Clinic which is open

on Lakeshore Drive.

87. The Tourism Sector.



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88. The City recognizes the importance of tourism

to the region’s economy and continues to

promote the area as a great place to visit and

stay.

89. Some of the initiatives that we are focusing on

for 2012 include:

90. Sport Tourism Strategy (Fastest growing

Tourism sector in North America).

a. The City of North Bay has partnered

with HOST (Hotel Organizations

Strengthening Tourism) and Sport

North Bay to form STATS (Sport

Tourism Action Team) to develop asport tourism and meeting /

convention strategy as a means of



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attracting new visitors to the

region.

b. With the 2011 opening of the Steve

Omischl Sports Field Complex and a

multitude of other excellent

facilities, we are well positioned tobring sporting events, and related

meetings and conventions to the

community which will have a

significant positive economic

impact on the tourism sector.

91. Partnerships.

a. The City continues to build on itsexisting relationships with

stakeholders throughout Ontario by



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participating actively at the

Northern Ontario Regional Tourism

Organization and Ontario Tourism

Marketing Partnership Northern

Committee tables.

92. Product Development.

a. The City is focusing on new product

development and is currently

partnering with the Province and

RTO 13 on the development of a

new pilot program targeting the

south Asian market in the GTA.

93. With respect to skilled labour shortages - wecontinue to work with Nipissing University,

Canadore College and the Labour Market Group



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to address challenges related to available skilled

workforce.

94. Rick Miner, an expert in demographics stated

recently at a labour market partners group

presentation that North Bay is a City where

there are “people without jobs and jobs withoutpeople”, an excerpt from his book on labour

market development.

95. Some staggering statistics have indicated that

North Bay will see - within the next fifteen years

- a total of 9,120 jobs (31.0%) become available

due to retirement.

96. We are focused on providing strategies andresources to access skilled labour both within

the community and abroad.



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97. Over the past 5 years, we supported the

development of the North Bay and District

Multicultural Centre, Newcomer Network and

now sit on the Employer’s Round Table.

98. This has resulted in an immigration strategy

with support services including HR North, anonline tool that connects workers with

employers throughout the Northeastern.

99. We have also partnered and continue to work

with Canadore College and Nipissing University

on program development to address labour

market needs of the community.

100. In addition, the City has developed anIntegrated Community Sustainability Plan

which provides a framework of best



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practices to ensure that the City operates in

an environmentally respective manner. This

includes our street light replacement

program which will save the City in excess

of $200,000 a year, methane energy

production at our landfill site that will

remove 45,000 tons of CO2 and power up

to 1300 homes annually; solar panels at City

Hall – to the smart driver program and a

reduction in fuel consumption by over 8%.

101. We have created a Healthy Active Living

Strategy to ensure that new development

maintains or improves the city amenities

that are available for recreation,

entertainment, and sport.



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102. Additionally, the Development Handbook

and Development Application Review Team

provide the resources to help facilitate

development activity within the community

- We are making it easier to do business

with City Hall.

103. The City of North Bay has spent close to 2

million dollars at its Recycling Center. This

has allowed us to increase the number of

items we recycle and the amount we can

recycle. We also have made the Hazardous

Waste Facility an all year around facility.

Lastly, we have expanded our organic waste

facility allowing us to quadruple the amount

we can accept.



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104. All of the challenges, action plans and

strategies I have touched on must be met

with a prudent fiscal plan.

105. We have set out on a plan to aggressively

re-invest in our infrastructure, while at the

same time building up our reserves torespond to future challenges.

106. The City has committed to improving our

City’s infrastructure and the quality of life

for the citizens in our community.

107. We have invested $262 Million in

infrastructure over the last 6 years.

108. We have accomplished this by leveraging

Federal and Provincial dollars while slowly

increasing municipal dollars and debt.



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109. Over the same six years the assessment

base has grown 14% - Debt servicing costs is

6.7%.

110. Our plan is to grow and hence we are

making a conscience decision to accept a

certain level of debt to encourage growth.We will live within our means and continue

the pay-as-you-go policy.

111. The City’s total Operating Budget for 2012 is

$111,269,749 (which includes $34,594,104

from ABC’s), and the total Capital Budget

for 2012 is $28,313,620 in general capital

plus $11,927,000 in water and sewer =

$40,240,620. The City is also responsible

for 348 km of roadway, 417 full-time



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employees, and our transit will be fully

accessible as of January 1, 2013.

112. This Plan has been favourably received by

the financial experts including Moody’s that

review our operations. And I will quote

directly from Moody’s - “North Bay displays

strong governance and management

characteristics. In addition to multi-year

operating and capital planning and a

recent history of exceeding fiscal targets,

management adheres to conservative debt

and investment management policies,

which limits the city’s exposure to market -

related risks and helps to ensure relatively

smooth debt servicing costs. These fiscal



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management measures are also supported

by comprehensive, transparent and timely

financial reporting.”

113. This is a result of the City’s prudent fiscal

plan as well as stable operations. North Bay

has been successful in funding priorityprograms and infrastructure, while

recording strong financial outcomes and

maintaining a solid balance sheet with

adequate liquidity.

114. This did not happen by accident.

115. All of the initiatives I have highlighted today

are encompassed in a commitment by yourCouncil to make North Bay the best place to

live, work, play and learn.



116. We are going to continue to pursue

economic growth for North Bay.

117. And we are going to do it while protecting

North Bay’s quality of life.

118. But finally – and most importantly – it is

your commitment to the City – which you

demonstrate day in and day out – that

makes me proud to be your Mayor and I

can’t think of a more rewarding job than

working with you to keep North Bay

prosperous.

119. I’ve kept you long enough. Thank you again

for taking the time out of your very busyday.

120 Let’s all get back to work

mayor mcdonald - address to the community - may 29-2012

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