By Maya Ekman, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Source: NWOnewswatch.com
Jeff Lederer is running to be Ignace’s next mayor in this year’s municipal election.
Lederer said that he has worked in municipal government for 40 years, pointing to many projects in the Northwestern Ontario township that he has taken part in, including the tourist information centre, the heritage building, the library and the local fitness centre.
He is the president of the Ignace Area Business Association, the chair of the Nuclear Waste Management Organization’s environmental regulatory working group, and a member of its human environment regulatory working group.
All this experience, he said, allows one to “appreciate the different economic, social and environmental systems that a community has and (one) can manage that,” he said.
One of Lederer’s priorities if elected is seniors housing, as he was involved with a housing project that started in 2020 that didn’t come to fruition when the current council came in.
He said he will develop a committee to achieve more manageable housing for seniors.
On the topic of the NWMO’s proposed deep geological repository for high-level used nuclear fuel, Lederer said that he wants to revisit the host agreement and see if there are any gaps that need reviewing or any other benefits that the community could be seeing in order to best support the community in its decision to host the DGR.
Another priority, he said, is to establish a development corporation that will support economic development in the community.
He’d like to “have representatives that are really going to be responsive to the business community, to the township, and to the residents of the community, and really look at opportunities (for funding).”
Nearly ten years ago, Lederer was convicted of fraud, theft and forgery for a 2011 incident at the University of Waterloo and was sentenced to 18 months.
Lederer said he is very open about and takes full ownership of the conviction, and that it taught him that what really matters is how someone emerges from a difficult period, having learned humility, empathy and the importance of transparency.
He said he wants voters to understand that mayor and council don’t access funds, there are always multiple signatures required on cheques, and there are budget reviews and audits.
Lederer is running against Coun. Jodie Defeo in the municipal election, set for Oct. 26.
In Ignace, voting is being held online and is now open. Anyone needing assistance with online voting in Ignace can reach the clerk at 807-934-2202, ext. 1026 or by email, or can visit the municipal office at 34 Highway 17 West.
Any Canadian citizen aged 18 and up who lives in the municipality and isn’t prohibited by law is entitled to vote. Property owners and tenants, and their spouses, are also eligible.
