Sudbury leaders talk city's future

The Greater Sudbury Chamber of Commerce gathered four community leaders Tuesday afternoon to share their thoughts on leadership and the city's future.

Dr. John Gunn, director of Laurentian University's Living with Lakes Centre discussed his vision for Sudbury to be a global leader in biotechnology and environmental remediation.

He said such a focus could create thousands of highly skilled and well-paying jobs to the region, and would focus on mine remediation and sustainability with future natural resources projects, such as the Ring of Fire.

“Let's stop talking about potholes,” he said, in a bid to encourage discussions around larger issues that impact the city's future.

Dr. Sean Murray, medical director of Health Sciences North's Family and Child program, discussed his vision for NEO Kids, a standalone centre at the hospital for pediatric care.

Murray said children's health care is often marginalized, and added that while chronic illness is often associated with adults, it can also affect children, especially with behavioural and psychological problems.

Laurentian University president Dominic Giroux discussed the five key qualities he believes a leader must have: a clear vision, the right skillsets for a task, the ability to make resources available to his or her staff, create incentives to succeed, and have a strong action plan.

NORCAT CEO Don Duval discussed the values his organization holds dear – namely a strong entrepreneurial spirit and civic engagement – and discussed the importance small businesses and startups will play in Sudbury's future prosperity.

Duval said business startups are expected to account for two-thirds of all new jobs in Sudbury.