With the 2026 Ontario municipal elections now behind us, re-elected Red Lake Mayor Fred Mota is focusing on what lies ahead for his new term.
Mota secured a third term as Red Lake mayor in Monday’s elections, receiving 948 votes.
His challenger, Warren Badiuk, finished with 767 votes.
“Our population is growing and the main issue is affordable housing,” Mota shared with on Monday night. “Without housing, we can’t attract workers. And without workers, we won’t succeed in the future.”
“So one of our top priorities will be advancing affordable housing.”
Mota emphasized that tackling Red Lake’s infrastructure deficit is also crucial.
“We will need assistance from both provincial and federal governments,” he stated. “However, we have strong relationships with both levels of government, and we’re optimistic about securing financial support to help us progress.”
Mota expressed his decision to run again stems from the numerous projects underway in Red Lake, such as gold and lithium mining initiatives, along with the Berens River Bridge project, which aims to connect Red Lake with Pikangikum and other remote First Nations by 2028.
“We’re expecting many workers to come into our area, and we genuinely want to move things forward,” Mota said. “We want Red Lake to be a place where people feel at home, enjoy outdoor activities, experience great fishing, and build families here-all working together with a new council.”
“But we have to start with housing.”
On Monday, voters in Red Lake also selected four councillors: Debra Geary, Janet Hager, Jamie Kristoff, and Jason Vinet.
East of Thunder Bay, James Mc Pherson has been re-elected as mayor of Greenstone after defeating three opponents – Patti David-Myros, John Alexander Spridgeon, and Karen Stephenson – in Monday’s election.
Incumbent James Mc Pherson was re-elected as mayor of Greenstone Monday night. (Municipality of Greenstone)
“There’s a lot of turnover on council; many new faces joining us,” he noted on Monday. “It’s going to be quite the learning experience for all as we figure out how to work together.”
Mc Pherson mentioned that making the community appealing for those working at the Greenstone Gold Mine is high on his agenda.
“People want.. those workers living in Greenstone,” he remarked. “So we need to create a welcoming community that encourages people to settle here.”
The rest of the upcoming Greenstone council will include Paulette Abraham, Margie Abraham-Rondeau, Penny Trottier, Amanda Cargnelutti, Tim Griffin, Theresa Strangway, Fran Koning , and Nikki Goodman (acclaimed).
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