Walden CAN dispute: Sudbury Ward 2 councillor calls for review

A Sudbury city councillor is calling for a review of community action networks after tensions with one of the groups in his ward.

There are about a dozen community Action Networks or CANs in Greater Sudbury, set up to organize neighbourhood activities and hear local concerns and originally designed to quell anti-amalgamation sentiments in the outlying areas.

Since he took office almost a year ago, Ward 2 city Councillor Michael Vagnini said there has been strife between him and the Walden CAN.

In an interview with CBC Radio, Vagnini hesitated to get into the specifics of his dispute with the Walden Community Action Network.

But he questions if they hold open elections or manage their finances properly.

Vagnini said he also believes the source of the strained relationship is that many of the group's members are loyal to former councillor Jacques Barbeau. Vagnini defeated Barbeau in last fall's election, to the surprise of some.

Now the new councillor wants a review of all the CANs in the city and what role they should play.

"It cannot be a special interest group. It has to be a group that is serving the whole community," Vagnini said.

The chair of the Walden CAN refused interview requests, saying city officials and others advised him not to speak publicly.

Other city councillors, like Joscelyne Landry-Altmann, have nothing put praise for the CANs, three of which she has helped set up in her time representing Ward 12.

"We don't always agree. But because we don't always agree, we come to a better conclusion," she said.

As for reviewing the community action networks, Landry-Altmann is confident it would only highlights the good work they do.

"I have no problems with a review whatsoever, but I know what it'll show."