Former city communications employee returns to local politics in Ward 11
Former City of Greater Sudbury communications and engagement staffer Mike Bleskie has formally entered the 2026 municipal race in Ward 11, announcing his bid on Aug. 14. Bleskie says the ward has been overlooked at council and that residents deserve a more active, consistent voice at city hall.
In a campaign release, Bleskie — who lives in the Adamsdale area and whose family has resided in the ward for 48 years — framed his bid around being a year‑round presence working with neighbours on day‑to‑day issues that he says have been left unaddressed amid a prolonged cost‑of‑living squeeze.
"Ward 11 has been sidelined at council while basic neighbourhood issues have gone unaddressed in an ongoing cost‑of‑living crisis,"
the release quoted him as saying. "I’m running because residents deserve more than an absent voice. My promise is simple: I will be a year‑round presence, working directly with this community to tackle our challenges together."
Background in government, post‑secondary and Indigenous services
Bleskie’s campaign materials describe him as a freelance communicator with prior municipal experience in the City of Greater Sudbury’s communications and engagement department. He also spent several years in Ottawa, working as a legislative assistant on Parliament Hill and as a communications specialist for non‑profit organisations in post‑secondary education and Indigenous services.
His educational background includes a master’s degree in political management from Carleton University and degrees from Laurentian University and Cambrian College. The release also notes Bleskie was involved behind the scenes in the passage of the Pharmacare Act in 2024 and that he has been active in health‑care advocacy.
Locally, Bleskie has served as past vice‑chair of the Minnow Lake CAN group and has been involved with Laurentian University Model Parliament for a decade, mentoring students and organising events, according to the campaign release.
Campaign priorities and platform outline
Running under the banner "Better, Together," Bleskie outlined three central themes for his campaign:
- Tackling neighbourhood concerns through collaborative, year‑round engagement;
- building community wealth by identifying new tax‑neutral revenue streams for the city;
- investing in health and social supports to create healthier, more caring communities.
His release emphasises community consultation and targeted investments to address urgent needs, though it offers few concrete policy details beyond the general priorities and the pledge to seek revenue options that do not increase taxes.
Local context and what it means for Ward 11 residents
Ward 11 — a mix of long‑standing residential neighbourhoods such as Adamsdale and adjacent communities — has a history of local activism through community associations and tenant groups. Bleskie’s focus on being a year‑round presence speaks to a broader concern among some residents about councillors who are perceived as less accessible between election cycles.
For voters, Bleskie’s municipal experience inside the city’s communications office and his Ottawa‑based policy work could be an asset in navigating council procedures and advocating for provincial or federal supports. His emphasis on non‑tax revenue approaches will likely provoke scrutiny from opponents and residents who want specific examples of what those revenue streams might look like.
With the 2026 municipal election approaching, candidates across Greater Sudbury are beginning to position themselves on local priorities such as infrastructure, housing affordability and service delivery. Bleskie’s announcement adds a candidate with communications and governmental experience who is framing his pitch around neighbourhood responsiveness and community wealth building.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Residence | Adamsdale, Ward 11 |
| Family in ward | 48 years |
| Education | Master's in political management (Carleton); degrees from Laurentian and Cambrian |
| Previous runs | Candidate for Ward 11 in 2014 |
| Key themes | Year‑round presence, tax‑neutral revenue, targeted health/social investment |
As the campaign progresses, Ward 11 voters can expect further elaboration from Bleskie on the tax‑neutral revenue ideas and concrete plans for addressing neighbourhood maintenance and services. Competing candidates and community groups will also have the opportunity to outline alternative approaches to the priorities he has raised.
For now, Bleskie’s entry signals a contested race in Ward 11 that will centre on accessibility, local problem‑solving and fiscal approaches to sustaining municipal programs without raising property taxes.
