Sprint to the finish for election contenders in Sudbury

NDP hopeful Joe Cimino and Liberal candidate Andrew Olivier were encouraging supporters Saturday to keep ordering signs, with Olivier reporting problems with people stealing some of his. In a release Saturday, he vowed to fight to have the spring bear hunt restored permanently if he wins on June 12.

“For years now, we have heard stories of people having run-ins with black bears throughout the city and it seems worse this year,” Olivier said in a release. “Just last week, the daughter of a friend of mine came face-to-face with one up at Laurentian University. I’m hearing about bears in school yards and driveways. I don’t think we should wait for a tragedy before putting safety measures in place.”

A limited hunt was permitted this year by the Liberals, the first time since it was cancelled by the Progressive Conservatives in 1999.

Cimino was on the campaign trail Saturday, and thanked volunteers who were out working for him on his Facebook page.

“Thanks so much to the volunteers from various labour organizations who are out canvassing today,” he wrote. “Much appreciated.”

Cimino got a boost from Nickel Belt MPP France Gélinas, who's considered a lock for reelection in her riding, and so was able to help her Sudbury counterpart.

“We're working (Saturday) to help on Joe Cimino's campaign,” said a post on the Nickel Belt page. “Electing Joe will mean will mean that France has a strong partner in the legislature to help work for the people of the City of Greater Sudbury.”

PC candidate Paula Peroni signed a pledge Friday promising that, if she becomes the city's next MPP, she'll be held accountable, including losing a portion of her salary, if she fails to meet “the financial and red-tape reduction targets” assigned to her.

“I think people have to see that I'm about integrity and honesty, and I'm willing to commit to that,” Peroni said, at a June 6 campaign event held outside of a local pizza restaurant.

“The piece about cutting my own pay if I don't meet the financial requirements and the red-tape reductions is a piece that I'm very proud of within our party.”