WATCH: Here's what we asked the mayor when he stopped by our SooToday studio

Mayor Matthew Shoemaker has released his latest six-month progress report, part of a campaign promise to keep locals up to date on key city initiatives.

Which means it's also time for the mayor to sit down with SooToday for an in-depth discussion in our downtown studio — something Shoemaker has agreed to do with the release of each new report.

This latest instalment covers plenty of ground, including the fight to save our YMCA, what to make of the Sault's surging population, and how the city is trying to attract new doctors.

We also ask the mayor about the ongoing opioid crisis, boarded-up houses, the new fence at the old hospital, and lots more.

Did you read these comments from former mayor Joe Fratesi? Shoemaker has some thoughts on that, too.