Greater Sudbury Mayor Paul Lefebvre reflected Wednesday on his first two years in office.

Speaking at Tom Davis Square, Lefebvre focused on the challenges facing the city.

Greater Sudbury Mayor Paul Lefebvre reflected Wednesday on his first two years in office. Speaking at Tom Davis Square, Lefebvre focused on the challenges facing the city. (Lyndsay Aelick/CTV News)

“Housing, homelessness, mental health, addictions and overall community safety and well-being,” he said.

“No organization can solve these challenges alone, but by collaborating, sharing resources and listening to each other, we have begun to create solutions that work for everyone.

As part of his speech, the mayor pledged to advocate for supportive housing for veterans.

“We actually hear real stories of veterans who are helped by other veterans to find housing. And I say, OK, we can help,” Lefebvre said.

“We need to help. That’s why federal government funding is available. We saw a project in Sault Ste Marie come to fruition…I’m committed to moving this project forward because there is a need and I think that ‘There is an opportunity.’

He also addressed critics who say the city can’t afford projects such as the cultural center and a new arena, saying it’s not just municipal money that’s working.

“We are leveraging every dollar we receive from the province and the federal government,” Lefebvre said.

“(For) the cultural hub, we received $25 million from the federal government.”

Although the city will pay for the arena, he said social housing projects receive support from all three levels of government.

Lefebvre said the projects will not only attract visitors and boost the economy, but also enrich the cultural fabric of the community.

Jeff Mcintyre, general manager of Downtown Sudbury, said downtowns in cities across Canada all face the same issues and challenges.

“Successful downtowns still focus on some of these core elements,” Mcintyre said.

“Let’s make it fun, let’s make it an exciting place to visit, let’s make it a great place to live and the community support that comes from that not only helps small businesses and helps things thrive, but it also helps social .”

Click here to read Lefebvre’s full address.