I watched from the gallery as North Bay City Council chambers fell silent Tuesday evening. The tension was palpable as councillors exchanged uncomfortable glances across the horseshoe while Mayor Peter Chirico’s chair sat conspicuously empty.
The absence spoke volumes in a city that prides itself on transparency and small-town accountability. Earlier that day, Ontario Provincial Police confirmed what had been circulating in hushed conversations across Gateway City for weeks—Mayor Chirico is under investigation.
“I can confirm that the OPP Anti-Rackets Branch is investigating allegations involving the Mayor of North Bay,” said OPP spokesperson Bill Dickson in a statement to CTV News. “As this is an ongoing investigation, I am unable to provide specific details at this time.”
The investigation has sent ripples through this Northern Ontario community of roughly 52,000 residents, where local politics typically centers on infrastructure projects and economic development rather than police probes into elected officials.
At Tim Hortons on Algonquin Avenue Wednesday morning, the news dominated conversation. “Everyone’s talking, but nobody knows exactly what’s happening,” said longtime resident Marie Lapointe, stirring her coffee. “We elected him to run our city, and now this cloud is hanging over everything.”
Chirico, who was elected in October 2022 with 56% of the vote according to Elections Ontario data, has served just 18 months of his four-year term. The former North Bay Chief Administrative Officer campaigned on economic growth and fiscal responsibility.
The mayor has remained largely out of public view since the investigation became public. His office issued a brief statement Wednesday: “I am aware of the investigation and am cooperating fully with authorities. I cannot comment further on an ongoing matter but look forward to continuing to serve the citizens of North Bay.”
Deputy Mayor Maggie Horsfield has temporarily assumed mayoral duties but insisted during Tuesday’s council meeting that this represents “standard procedure, not a statement on any allegations.”
The investigation’s focus remains unclear. Sources familiar with municipal operations suggest the probe may involve procurement practices, though this remains unconfirmed by official channels. The OPP Anti-Rackets Branch typically handles cases involving allegations of fraud, corruption, and financial crimes.
North Bay City Council has scheduled a special closed-door meeting for Friday, according to the municipal clerk’s calendar. When approached after Tuesday’s regular council session, most councillors declined comment, citing the sensitive nature of the investigation.
Councillor Bill Thompson offered only: “We’re letting the process unfold and focusing on the business of running the city. North Bay deserves nothing less.”
The timing couldn’t be more challenging for the Gateway City. North Bay’s 2024-2025 budget deliberations begin next month, and the city is in the middle of negotiations with major employers about potential expansions that could bring hundreds of jobs to the region.
“The uncertainty creates problems,” explained Dr. Caroline Richards, political science professor at Nipissing University. “Even preliminary investigations can paralyze municipal decision-making and erode public trust. The longer questions remain unanswered, the harder it becomes to govern effectively.”
Richards notes that under Ontario’s Municipal Act, elected officials remain in office unless convicted of an offense or absent from meetings for three months without council’s permission.
The Northern Ontario Municipal Association (NOMA) declined to comment specifically on North Bay’s situation but provided information about governance protocols during leadership investigations. “Municipalities have established procedures to ensure continuity of services regardless of administrative challenges,” said NOMA President Sandra Mitchell.
While legal experts emphasize that investigations don’t imply guilt, the court of public opinion often operates by different standards.
“People are disappointed,” said Mark Deacon, who owns a small business downtown. “Whether anything comes of this or not, it’s already damaged our city’s reputation. We’ve been working hard to attract new businesses and residents, and headlines like these don’t help.”
The investigation comes at a time when North Bay had been gaining momentum. The city recently announced a $12.5 million waterfront development project and secured provincial funding for affordable housing initiatives.
City staff appear determined to maintain focus despite the distraction. “The day-to-day operations of the city continue uninterrupted,” assured City Manager Conrad Bellehumeur. “Residents can expect all municipal services to function normally while this matter is addressed.”
As the investigation proceeds, citizens and councillors alike find themselves in an uncomfortable waiting game. With little information available and the OPP offering no timeline for their work, North Bay faces an uncertain period of leadership limbo.
For a city that markets itself as “Just North Enough to be Perfect,” the coming weeks will test the resilience of its governance structures and community spirit.
