Donna Hilsinger plans to listen, knock on doors as she runs for mayor

Ward 3 Councillor Donna Hilsinger plans to go straight into campaigning after officially announcing her plan to run for Mayor of Sault Ste. Marie Wednesday. 

“I’ll be knocking on doors and asking people for their support and hearing their ideas. That's what the next few months are definitely all about,” Hilsinger said, speaking to SooToday.

“I want to listen.”

“I want to hear more from residents about what their hopes and aspirations are for the community, about what they think is important and combine those things with what I think is important. I want us to be a growing and modern northern Ontario city.”

Hilsinger said she will be sharing details about her vision for Sault Ste. Marie in the coming weeks and months.

Hilsinger, first elected to council in 2018, is well known for her longtime involvement in the local hotel/restaurant/tourism industry, along with her interest in the local arts and culture sector.

“I think things like secure and affordable housing and support for mental health and addictions are important. I want us to be a community that continues to welcome all people and all cultures. The environment is important to me. I think we should ask how we can make strategic investments in our tourism product, our arts and culture product, and continue to support businesses in new and emerging areas as well as manufacturing which is a huge part of our economy. Those are, speaking broadly, the areas that I’m focusing on and I want to do some listening and complete my thoughts in the next month or so.”

“Job creation will always continue to be important,” Hilsinger said.

“I think that some of the new and emerging industries are where we could have some focus on being part of that modern city, but there are many jobs available in Sault Ste. Marie today, right now, as it stands. There are many jobs available in the tourism and hospitality industry. Certainly there are many jobs available in the tech world.”

On the recreational side, Hilsinger said she is in favour of adding new connections to The Hub Trail.

“The Hub Trail makes me very happy. We went from no trails to this amazing 20-plus kilometre circular route around the city. Expanding it in some way…these are things that are going to reduce our carbon footprint as well as create a healthier community.”

Apart from building a healthy economy and improving the community's quality of life, Hilsinger said the opioid crisis is on her mind.

“I would be advocating for a treatment facility where people can get help after withdrawal. That’s the place I want to continue advocating for,” Hilsinger said, the province having recently announced funding for a new residential withdrawal management facility to be located on Old Garden River Road. 

“I believe that I bring a lengthy career in business that has taught me about being part of a community. I believe that I have a very strong work ethic. I have a proven track record of collaboration, leadership and volunteerism and a business background and I can bring all those things to the mayor’s office.”

“I am so passionate about this city as the best place to live and I’ve been like that for a long time. I think we’re very lucky to be where we are geographically, to have the lifestyle that we have and we can make it even better. We can drive more out of our economy from tourism because there’s a lot of uniqueness here to what we have to sell, and I’ve got that background and experience that I can put together while working with others.”

To date, Hilsinger and her wardmate - Ward 3 Councillor Matthew Shoemaker - and former city councillor Ozzie Grandinetti have officially filed their nomination papers to run for Mayor of Sault Ste. Marie ahead of October’s municipal election.