Creating a long term care facility for the elderly and establishing a youth advisory committee to address young people’s concerns are just two of the goals North Bay mayor Al McDonald has set out for the new council. The 11-member council was sworn in Monday night and all members signed the declaration of office. Sheldon Forget was also officially appointed deputy mayor. McDonald pointed out the city faces challenges and outside forces influence the local budget while deficits from the provincial and federal governments also affect North Bay because of the trickle-down effect. Another challenge is keeping our drinking water safe which is a reference to the Trans Canada pipeline project. However McDonald says there are also opportunities in mining and aviation. He says when it comes to air space, North Bay can be a leader in this sector especially with all the developments going on at the airport industrial park. McDonald says with commercial spaceport facilities being created around the world, North Bay is in position to capitalize on this.
