There’s officially a new name in the running for Mayor of Timmins.

Today, in front of friends and family, George Pirie, from South Porcupine, announced he will be running for Mayor of the City of Timmins this October.

Pirie comes to the Mayoral race with a long and prestigious career in the mining industry behind him. Pirie was born in South Porcupine and raised at the mine site village of the Dome and Dome Ex. His family has a long history with the mining industry, especially at the Dome Mine sites.

“There’s been a member of my family, the Pirie Family,” Pirie told media on Tuesday, “working at the Dome, Placer Dome and Goldcorp for over 100 years.

“My son works there now,” Pirie added proudly.

Pirie’s early mining career started at the Pamour and the Dome. He also served on local hospital boards, and the board of Camp Bickel.

Pirie’s career took him to Vancouver, where he progressed through all divisions of the company to become CFO of Placer Dome North America, CFO of Placer Dome Canada, President and CEO of Placer Dome Canada and Executive Vice President of Placer Dome Inc.

While CEO and President of Placer Dome Canada, Pirie brought his experience back to the City of Timmins. He created the Porcupine Joint Venture with Kinross Gold; lands that now form the basis of all of Goldcorp’s Mining operations. Pirie has extensive international experience as President and CEO of Breakwater Resources, and he’s worked as a director on mining companies with operations and projects on every continent except Antarctica.

Pirie made his home in Timmins and he’s since been heavily involved with the community. He’s served on the Board of Governors with Northern College, and as a member of the Timmins Economic Development Corporation, where he’s been involved with the NORONT process. Pirie’s passion for the community of Timmins and its future is why he’s proudly served on the Board for Northern College and the TEDC.

“We all know we have some serious challenges ahead,” Pirie said, “but I’m involved with Northern and the TEDC because I believe passionately in the future of Timmins and this region. And I’m willing to work diligently to secure the prosperity offered to us by where we live.

“What I offer is a commitment of open, transparent and honest dealings with and for the citizens of Timmins,” Pirie continued. “I offer a pledge to continue to work hard to secure a sustainable, affordable future for all our stakeholders.

“I offer a promise to treat the tax payers and their tax dollars, with the respect they deserve; to be fiscally responsible for their finances.

“In short,” he concluded, “it is a guarantee to get Timmins back on track, working together, with all our stakeholders, to secure our future and quality of life our citizens in the past worked for, and our citizens in the present desire.”

Pirie says the main focus of his campaign will be on the fiscal responsibility in Timmins.

At this time (July 23rd), Pirie will be running against Timmins Mayor Steve Black and Daniel Fortier.

The Municipal election takes place this fall, on October 22nd.

Nominations for the election are open until July 27th at 2 PM.

Nomination forms are located at City Hall. For more on the nomination process for Mayor, Councillors and School Board Trustees, go here.

To see the full list of candidates, go here.