David Courtemanche
Encyclopedia
David Courtemanche is a politician in Ontario
, Canada
. He is the former mayor
of Greater Sudbury, having served one term from 2003 to 2006.
for the Sudbury Wolves
and the Kingston Canadians
in his youth. Though given a tryout with the New York Rangers
he chose not to pursue hockey as a career. He completed a degree in Political Studies from the University of Guelph
. Courtemanche later returned to Sudbury and worked as a consultant. He was the executive director of Sudbury Heart Health from 1992 to 1997 and was a founding member of Earthcare Sudbury, a partnership between the city and various local agencies in support of a sustainable environmental policy.
and was subsequently appointed as a city representative to the Sudbury Regional Council. He chaired the region's Planning and Development Committee, and was part of a group that developed Sudbury's first comprehensive arts policy. He supported the introduction of a Business Improvement Area, and brought forward an unsuccessful motion to deregulate the city's shopping hours in 1999.
Sudbury and its suburban municipalities were amalgamated into the city of Greater Sudbury in 2000. During the transition period Courtemanche was strongly critical of a plan for the new city councillors to be designated as part-time rather than full-time workers. He argued that the demands on councillors would be greater after amalgamation and that part-time status would result in bureaucrats controlling city hall.
Courtemanche was re-elected in the 2000 municipal election
, winning a seat in the new city's sixth ward. During this campaign he called for a strategic growth model approach to municipal infrastructure that would benefit the entire city. He was appointed to the board of the Nickel District Conservation Authority in March 2001, and later co-chaired a Mayor's Task Force on Volunteerism and Community Involvement, which led to the development of Community Action Networks. Courtemanche also served on the board of directors of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities
and was appointed to chair Greater Sudbury's Priorities Committee in December 2002.
In 2002 Courtemanche proposed that Greater Sudbury's largest park be named after former prime minister
Pierre Elliott Trudeau. He later brought forward a motion to fly the Franco-Ontarian flag at Tom Davies' Square.
after the retirement of incumbent Jim Gordon. At 39 years old Courtemanche was the youngest elected mayor in the history of Sudbury. His "Campaign for Change" was highlighted by promises of sustainable growth and collaborative leadership. Courtemanche led in the polls for much of the campaign, and defeated local businessman Paul Marleau and 12 other opponents on election day. (Only Toronto
, with 44 candidates, had a larger mayoralty contest.) Following his election, Courtemanche said that he would seek a non-confrontational civil service and better relations with unions and management. A local editorial described him as a candidate who "always seems to naturally find the high road and knows how to stay there".
During his first year as mayor Courtemanche increased the role of public consultation in Greater Sudbury's budgetary and planning processes. He sought to limit average tax increases to 7%, but ultimately introduced a budget with 7.5% increases. Later that year a cut in education taxes reduced property tax rates by about 3%.
In his inauguration speech Courtemanche promised to change the municipal government's senior management structure. He reiterated this pledge after difficulties with his first budget. Three senior staff positions were cut later in the year. The Sudbury Star newspaper criticized the mayor's restructuring plan, arguing that it was not conducted in an open and accountable manner. Courtemanche later engaged in a public dispute with councillor Lynne Reynolds over this and other aspects of his leadership.
Courtemanche worked with councillor Janet Gasparini on programs targeting homelessness
. He also supported wind power
investment, and sought to develop Greater Sudbury as an attractive destination for senior citizens. In May 2004, the City of Greater Sudbury received an environmental award from the Federation of Canadian Municipalities and CH2M Hill Canada for its EarthCare Sudbury Local Action Plan. Despite complaints from some business owners, Courtemanche did not change the city's strict anti-smoking bylaw. He again sought to remove Greater Sudbury's shopping hours bylaw in 2004, without success. He helped introduce a municipal health strategy in 2005, after a national survey showed that Sudburians were living shorter lives and were at higher risk of cardiovascular disease than other urban Canadians. Courtemanche launched the Mysudbury.ca web portal in March 2005, and helped to introduce a Centre for Excellence in Mining Innovation (CEMI) in the city. Late in his term, he introduced a pilot project to encourage the use of energy efficient products.
In early 2004 Courtemanche met with the mayors of North Bay
, Timmins
, Thunder Bay
and Sault Ste. Marie
to seek a new deal with senior levels of government for investment in Northern Ontario
. The mayors called on the provincial government to solve some of southern Ontario's long-term problems (such as gridlock, air pollution and failing infrastructure) by shifting the focus of development to the north. Greater Sudbury received a significant increase in provincial government transfers in 2006. Courtemanche also lobbied the federal government on the importance of immigration to rural and peripheral regions. He represented his city at the opening of the Northern Ontario School of Medicine
, which has twin campuses in Thunder Bay and Sudbury.
Workers at Greater Sudbury Utilities (GSU) Inc. took part in an extended strike in 2004, in a dispute over retiree benefits. Courtemanche met Canadian Union of Public Employees
Ontario leader Sid Ryan
in September of that year, which brought about a resumption of face-to-face bargaining. The strike ended a month later. Courtemanche later called on Hydro One
to turn over its assets and customers to GSU believing that the city could provide better services for lower rates.
In 2006, Courtemanche appointed former provincial cabinet minister Floyd Laughren
to head a local committee stemming from complaints about amalgamation of Greater Sudbury six years earlier. Several residents in outlying areas had previously signed a petition calling for a referendum on de-amalgamation.
Courtemanche was defeated in the 2006 municipal election
, losing to former Member of Parliament
(MP) John Rodriguez
. The local media noted that he failed to inspire voters, and did not effectively counter Rodriguez's populist appeal. Courtemanche later acknowledged that he turned down his team's advice to take a more aggressive approach, arguing that it was not his style.
Courtemanche was mayor during a period of economic growth, which continued into the tenure of his successor.
The 2000 and 2003 results are taken from the Sudbury Star newspaper. The 2006 result is provided by the City of Greater Sudbury.
Ontario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
. He is the former mayor
Mayor
In many countries, a Mayor is the highest ranking officer in the municipal government of a town or a large urban city....
of Greater Sudbury, having served one term from 2003 to 2006.
Background
Courtemanche was raised in Sudbury, a student of St. Charles College, played hockeyIce hockey
Ice hockey, often referred to as hockey, is a team sport played on ice, in which skaters use wooden or composite sticks to shoot a hard rubber puck into their opponent's net. The game is played between two teams of six players each. Five members of each team skate up and down the ice trying to take...
for the Sudbury Wolves
Sudbury Wolves
The Sudbury Wolves are the name of the ice hockey team from Sudbury, Ontario. Sudbury has had a hockey team known as the "Wolves" nearly every year since World War I. The Sudbury Wolves, the senior men's AAA team, have twice been chosen to be Canada's representatives at the Ice Hockey World...
and the Kingston Canadians
Kingston Canadians
The Kingston Canadians were a junior ice hockey team in the Ontario Hockey League from 1973 to 1988. The team played home games at the Kingston Memorial Centre in Kingston, Ontario, Canada.-History:...
in his youth. Though given a tryout with the New York Rangers
New York Rangers
The New York Rangers are a professional ice hockey team based in the borough of Manhattan in New York, New York, USA. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . Playing their home games at Madison Square Garden, the Rangers are one of the...
he chose not to pursue hockey as a career. He completed a degree in Political Studies from the University of Guelph
University of Guelph
The University of Guelph, also known as U of G, is a comprehensive public research university in Guelph, Ontario, Canada. It was established in 1964 after the amalgamation of Ontario Agricultural College, the Macdonald Institute, and the Ontario Veterinary College...
. Courtemanche later returned to Sudbury and worked as a consultant. He was the executive director of Sudbury Heart Health from 1992 to 1997 and was a founding member of Earthcare Sudbury, a partnership between the city and various local agencies in support of a sustainable environmental policy.
Councillor
Courtemanche was elected to the Sudbury City Council in the 1997 municipal electionSudbury municipal election, 1997
The 1997 Sudbury municipal election was held on November 10, 1997, as voters in Sudbury and its outlying communities voted to elected mayors, councillors and school trustees...
and was subsequently appointed as a city representative to the Sudbury Regional Council. He chaired the region's Planning and Development Committee, and was part of a group that developed Sudbury's first comprehensive arts policy. He supported the introduction of a Business Improvement Area, and brought forward an unsuccessful motion to deregulate the city's shopping hours in 1999.
Sudbury and its suburban municipalities were amalgamated into the city of Greater Sudbury in 2000. During the transition period Courtemanche was strongly critical of a plan for the new city councillors to be designated as part-time rather than full-time workers. He argued that the demands on councillors would be greater after amalgamation and that part-time status would result in bureaucrats controlling city hall.
Courtemanche was re-elected in the 2000 municipal election
Greater Sudbury municipal election, 2000
The Greater Sudbury municipal election, 2000 was held in the city of Greater Sudbury, Ontario, Canada on November 13, 2000. All municipal elections in the province of Ontario are held on the same date....
, winning a seat in the new city's sixth ward. During this campaign he called for a strategic growth model approach to municipal infrastructure that would benefit the entire city. He was appointed to the board of the Nickel District Conservation Authority in March 2001, and later co-chaired a Mayor's Task Force on Volunteerism and Community Involvement, which led to the development of Community Action Networks. Courtemanche also served on the board of directors of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities
Federation of Canadian Municipalities
The Federation of Canadian Municipalities is a civic advocacy group representing many Canadian municipalities. It is an organization with no formal power but significant ability to influence debate and policy, as it is main national lobby group of mayors, councillors and other elected municipal...
and was appointed to chair Greater Sudbury's Priorities Committee in December 2002.
In 2002 Courtemanche proposed that Greater Sudbury's largest park be named after former prime minister
Prime Minister of Canada
The Prime Minister of Canada is the primary minister of the Crown, chairman of the Cabinet, and thus head of government for Canada, charged with advising the Canadian monarch or viceroy on the exercise of the executive powers vested in them by the constitution...
Pierre Elliott Trudeau. He later brought forward a motion to fly the Franco-Ontarian flag at Tom Davies' Square.
Mayoralty
Courtemanche was elected mayor of Greater Sudbury in the 2003 municipal electionGreater Sudbury municipal election, 2003
The Greater Sudbury municipal election, 2003 was held in the city of Greater Sudbury, Ontario, Canada on November 10, 2003. All municipal elections in the province of Ontario are held on the same date; see Ontario municipal elections, 2003 for elections in other cities.The election chose the mayor...
after the retirement of incumbent Jim Gordon. At 39 years old Courtemanche was the youngest elected mayor in the history of Sudbury. His "Campaign for Change" was highlighted by promises of sustainable growth and collaborative leadership. Courtemanche led in the polls for much of the campaign, and defeated local businessman Paul Marleau and 12 other opponents on election day. (Only Toronto
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
, with 44 candidates, had a larger mayoralty contest.) Following his election, Courtemanche said that he would seek a non-confrontational civil service and better relations with unions and management. A local editorial described him as a candidate who "always seems to naturally find the high road and knows how to stay there".
During his first year as mayor Courtemanche increased the role of public consultation in Greater Sudbury's budgetary and planning processes. He sought to limit average tax increases to 7%, but ultimately introduced a budget with 7.5% increases. Later that year a cut in education taxes reduced property tax rates by about 3%.
In his inauguration speech Courtemanche promised to change the municipal government's senior management structure. He reiterated this pledge after difficulties with his first budget. Three senior staff positions were cut later in the year. The Sudbury Star newspaper criticized the mayor's restructuring plan, arguing that it was not conducted in an open and accountable manner. Courtemanche later engaged in a public dispute with councillor Lynne Reynolds over this and other aspects of his leadership.
Courtemanche worked with councillor Janet Gasparini on programs targeting homelessness
Homelessness
Homelessness describes the condition of people without a regular dwelling. People who are homeless are unable or unwilling to acquire and maintain regular, safe, and adequate housing, or lack "fixed, regular, and adequate night-time residence." The legal definition of "homeless" varies from country...
. He also supported wind power
Wind power
Wind power is the conversion of wind energy into a useful form of energy, such as using wind turbines to make electricity, windmills for mechanical power, windpumps for water pumping or drainage, or sails to propel ships....
investment, and sought to develop Greater Sudbury as an attractive destination for senior citizens. In May 2004, the City of Greater Sudbury received an environmental award from the Federation of Canadian Municipalities and CH2M Hill Canada for its EarthCare Sudbury Local Action Plan. Despite complaints from some business owners, Courtemanche did not change the city's strict anti-smoking bylaw. He again sought to remove Greater Sudbury's shopping hours bylaw in 2004, without success. He helped introduce a municipal health strategy in 2005, after a national survey showed that Sudburians were living shorter lives and were at higher risk of cardiovascular disease than other urban Canadians. Courtemanche launched the Mysudbury.ca web portal in March 2005, and helped to introduce a Centre for Excellence in Mining Innovation (CEMI) in the city. Late in his term, he introduced a pilot project to encourage the use of energy efficient products.
In early 2004 Courtemanche met with the mayors of North Bay
North Bay, Ontario
North Bay is a city in Northeastern Ontario, Canada. It is the seat of Nipissing District, and takes its name from its position on the shore of Lake Nipissing.-History:...
, Timmins
Timmins
Timmins is a city in northeastern Ontario, Canada on the Mattagami River. At the time of the Canada 2006 Census, Timmins' population was 42,997...
, Thunder Bay
Thunder Bay
-In Canada:Thunder Bay is the name of three places in the province of Ontario, Canada along Lake Superior:*Thunder Bay District, Ontario, a district in Northwestern Ontario*Thunder Bay, a city in Thunder Bay District*Thunder Bay, Unorganized, Ontario...
and Sault Ste. Marie
Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario
Sault Ste. Marie is a city on the St. Marys River in Algoma District, Ontario, Canada. It is the third largest city in Northern Ontario, after Sudbury and Thunder Bay, with a population of 74,948. The community was founded as a French religious mission: Sault either means "jump" or "rapids" in...
to seek a new deal with senior levels of government for investment in Northern Ontario
Northern Ontario
Northern Ontario is a region of the Canadian province of Ontario which lies north of Lake Huron , the French River and Lake Nipissing. The region has a land area of 802,000 km2 and constitutes 87% of the land area of Ontario, although it contains only about 6% of the population...
. The mayors called on the provincial government to solve some of southern Ontario's long-term problems (such as gridlock, air pollution and failing infrastructure) by shifting the focus of development to the north. Greater Sudbury received a significant increase in provincial government transfers in 2006. Courtemanche also lobbied the federal government on the importance of immigration to rural and peripheral regions. He represented his city at the opening of the Northern Ontario School of Medicine
Northern Ontario School of Medicine
The Northern Ontario School of Medicine is a medical school in the Canadian province of Ontario, created through a partnership between Laurentian University in Sudbury and Lakehead University in Thunder Bay...
, which has twin campuses in Thunder Bay and Sudbury.
Workers at Greater Sudbury Utilities (GSU) Inc. took part in an extended strike in 2004, in a dispute over retiree benefits. Courtemanche met Canadian Union of Public Employees
Canadian Union of Public Employees
The Canadian Union of Public Employees is a Canadian trade union serving the public sector - although it has in recent years organized workplaces in the non-profit and para-public sector as well...
Ontario leader Sid Ryan
Sid Ryan
Patrick Cyril "Sid" Ryan is president of the Ontario Federation of Labour and a longtime Canadian labour union leader and politician.-Biography:...
in September of that year, which brought about a resumption of face-to-face bargaining. The strike ended a month later. Courtemanche later called on Hydro One
Hydro One
Hydro One Incorporated delivers electricity across the Canadian province of Ontario. It is a Corporation established under the Business Corporations Act with a single shareholder, the Government of Ontario....
to turn over its assets and customers to GSU believing that the city could provide better services for lower rates.
In 2006, Courtemanche appointed former provincial cabinet minister Floyd Laughren
Floyd Laughren
Floyd Laughren is a former politician in Ontario, Canada. He sat in the Legislative Assembly of Ontario from 1971 to 1998 as a member of the Ontario New Democratic Party, and served as Finance Minister and Deputy Premier in the government of Bob Rae.-Background:Laughren's childhood was far...
to head a local committee stemming from complaints about amalgamation of Greater Sudbury six years earlier. Several residents in outlying areas had previously signed a petition calling for a referendum on de-amalgamation.
Courtemanche was defeated in the 2006 municipal election
Greater Sudbury municipal election, 2006
The Greater Sudbury municipal election, 2006 was held in the city of Greater Sudbury, Ontario, Canada on November 13, 2006. All municipal elections in the province of Ontario are held on the same date; see Ontario municipal elections, 2006 for elections in other cities.The election chose the mayor...
, losing to former Member of Parliament
Member of Parliament
A Member of Parliament is a representative of the voters to a :parliament. In many countries with bicameral parliaments, the term applies specifically to members of the lower house, as upper houses often have a different title, such as senate, and thus also have different titles for its members,...
(MP) John Rodriguez
John Rodriguez
John R. Rodriguez is a Canadian politician. He served as the mayor of Greater Sudbury, Ontario from 2006 to 2010, and previously represented the electoral district of Nickel Belt in the Canadian House of Commons from 1972 to 1980 and from 1984 to 1993 as a member of the New Democratic...
. The local media noted that he failed to inspire voters, and did not effectively counter Rodriguez's populist appeal. Courtemanche later acknowledged that he turned down his team's advice to take a more aggressive approach, arguing that it was not his style.
Courtemanche was mayor during a period of economic growth, which continued into the tenure of his successor.
Since 2006
Courtemanche returned to his consulting firm, Leading Minds Inc. In June 2008 he was named executive director for the City of Lakes Family Health Team (FHT), a primary health care initiative in Sudbury.Electoral record
Courtemanche was first elected to the Sudbury city council in 1997.The 2000 and 2003 results are taken from the Sudbury Star newspaper. The 2006 result is provided by the City of Greater Sudbury.