And they're off: who is running for what in municipal elections in the northeast

With the closing of nominations on Friday afternoon, the ballots will soon be off to the printer for this fall's municipal elections across northeastern Ontario.

In Greater Sudbury, Mayor Brian Bigger is going for a third straight win against eight challengers.

They include Sudbury's former Liberal MP Paul Lefebvre, past Sudbury city councillors Evelyn Dutrisac and Mila Wong, poverty activist Bob Johnston, political newcomers Miranda Rocca-Circelli, Devin Labranche and Don Gravelle, and perennial religious extremist candidate David Popescu. 

Forty-one candidates have put their names forward for the 12 Sudbury city council seats, compared with 43 in 2018 and 60 in 2014.

There will be a new councillor representing Ward 7 for the next four years with Mike Jakubo stepping aside.

There are four candidates on the ballot: Randy Hazlett, a former French River councillor who ran for the PCs in Nickel Belt in the last Ontario election, former Manitouwadge councillor Natalie Labbée and political rookies Daniel Wiebes and Mark McKillop.  

Sault Ste. Marie, North Bay and Timmins will all get a new mayor this fall.

In the Sault, Mayor Christian Provenzano is taking off the chain of office after two terms and five candidates are running to be replace him: sitting city councillors Matthew Shoemaker and Donna Hilsinger, former councillor Ozzie Grandinetti, climate activist Tobin Kern and public relations consultant Robert Peace.

Most incumbents from city council are seeking to return, aside from the retiring Rick Niro.

Notable names from the list of council hopefuls include Sonny Spina, who as federal Conservative candidate came within a few hundred votes of being an MP in September 2021, and Marek McLeod, a young member of Thessalon First Nation who during that same federal campaign asked a question of the federal leaders during a televised debate.

North Bay Mayor Al McDonald is retiring after 12 years in the city's top job and hoping to replace him are city councillor Johanne Brousseau, former city councillor and city manager Peter Chirico and political rookie Leslie McVeety.

There are 29 candidates are running for the 10 at-large seats on North Bay city council, including former councillors Sheldon Forgette and Derek Shogren, as well as Jamie Lowery, the CEO of city-run long-term care home Cassellholme.

George Maroosis, who served over 30 years on council, and Scott Robertson, who sat for four years, are not seeking re-election. 

With Timmins Mayor George Pirie moving up to provincial politics, current city councillors Michelle Boileau and Joe Campbell are hoping to move up to the city's big chair, as is local businessman Rick Lafleur. 

We know for sure that Rock Whissell will be on Timmins city council for the next four years, with no one running against him in Ward 1 . Most incumbent councillors are back in the race this fall, as well as former city councillor Rick Dubeau, who was voted out in 2018 while facing criminal corruption charges that were later dropped.

Some of the races to watch elsewhere in the northeast include West Nipissing, where council in-fighting got so bad in the past year, the province had to step in.

Mayor Joanne Savage is not running again, but one of her main rivals, councillor Dan Roveda is seeking the top job, as are political newcomers Kathleen Thorne Rochon and Dave Lewington. And only three of eight councillors want to keep their jobs.

In Elliot Lake, outspoken city councillor Chris Patrie is challenging Mayor Dan Marchisella, who is seeking a third term. Geraldine Robinson and Mike Thomas are also on the ballot.

Cochane will see a re-match of the 2018 mayor's race, with Peter Politis hoping to win the seat back from Denis Clement, who beat him by just five votes four years ago.

There will be new mayors in Temiskaming Shores and Kirkland Lake with the retirement of Carman Kidd and Pat Kiely.