project to encourage the use of energy efficient products. In early 2004 Courtemanche met with the mayors of North Bay, Timmins, Thunder Bay and Sault Ste. Marie to seek a new deal with senior levels of government for investment in Northern Ontario. The mayors called on the provincial government to solve some of southern Ontario's long-term problems (such as gridlock, air pollution and failing infrastructure) by shifting the focus of development to the north. Greater Sudbury received a significant increase in provincial government transfers in 2006. Courtemanche also lobbied the federal government on the importance of immigration to rural and peripheral regions. He represented his city at the opening of the Northern Ontario School of Medicine, which has twin campuses in Thunder Bay and Sudbury. Workers at Greater Sudbury Utilities (GSU) Inc. took part in an extended strike in 2004, in a dispute over retiree benefits. Courtemanche met Canadian Union of Public Employees Ontario leader Sid Ryan in September of that year, which brought about a resumption of face-to-face bargaining. The strike ended a month later. Courtemanche later called on Hydro One to turn over its assets and customers to GSU believing that the city could provide better services for lower rates. In 2006, Courtemanche appointed former provincial cabinet minister Floyd Laughren to head a local committee stemming from complaints about amalgamation of Greater Sudbury six years earlier. Several residents in outlying areas had previously signed a petition calling for a referendum on de-amalgamation. Courtemanche was defeated in the 2006 municipal election, losing to former Member of Parliament (MP) John Rodriguez. The local media noted that he failed to inspire voters, and did not effectively counter Rodriguez's populist appeal. Courtemanche later acknowledged that he turned down his team's advice to take a more aggressive approach, arguing that it was not his style. Courtemanche was mayor during a period of economic growth, which continued into the tenure of his successor. Since 2006 Courtemanche returned to his consulting firm, Leading Minds Inc. In June 2008 he was named executive director for the City of Lakes Family Health Team (FHT), a primary health care initiative in Sudbury. Electoral record Courtemanche was first elected to the Sudbury city council in 1997. The 2000 and 2003 results are taken from the Sudbury Star newspaper. The 2006 result is provided by the City of Greater Sudbury. References External links Mayors of Greater Sudbury Franco-Ontarian people 1964