Ward 8 CAN Executive and Community Liaisons

Ward 8 CAN – Background and Governance

In September 2024, Rachelle Niemela resigned as Chair of the Ward 8 Community Action Network (CAN) and agreed to remain on the Executive as a member to help ensure that ongoing projects, events and activities could continue.

At the time, the City was reviewing the CAN model. The CAN decided to defer elections and continue to fund and prioritize activities through consensus among the active CAN Executive members until the City announced its future direction for Community Action Networks. The City agreed with this approach.

In September 2025, Patrick McCoy, the CAN Treasurer, left the organization. With his departure, there were no longer enough members of the Executive to maintain the existing Executive structure.

On November 10, 2025, City staff announced that they were recommending a transition away from the existing CAN model. On November 18, 2025, Council considered the CAN Program Review report and approved resolution CC2025-266, which specifically directed staff to:

  • Suspend the existing CAN Standard Operating Procedures and Terms of Engagement.
  • Develop a Community Registry/Affiliate Program, with recommendations to return to Council in Q1 2027.
  • Develop a micro-grant stream for grassroots community activities, with recommendations to the Finance & Administration Committee in Q2 2026.
  • Develop a strategy to engage current CAN leadership and other stakeholders while developing the new programs.

During 2025 and 2026, CAN and community volunteers continued to deliver events and activities that the CAN had previously delivered (eg ward community cleanups) or with other community partners (eg New Sudbury Days). Discussions around the future direction of the CAN will take place once the new Community Registry/Affiliate Program is in place.

How to Contact Us

The CAN can be contacted at:
[email protected]
705-822-1276 (Rachelle Niemela)

Executive and Key Partners

Chair – Vacant
Vice-Chair – Vacant
Treasurer – Vacant
Recording Secretary – Vacant

Jim Niesing – Westmount Playground Association Liaison
Mike Morelli – Twin Forks Neighbourhood Association Liaison
Tom Gunn – Rosemarie Neighbourhood Association Liaison

City Councillor: Al Sizer
City Liaison: Barb McDougall-Murdoch

We are a member of Coalition for a Liveable Sudbury and EarthCare Sudbury.