Full Podcast: https://lovethenorth.ca/article/260919-johnston-wants-to-change-sudbury Imagine being homeless in Northern Ontario when temperatures plunge to -35°C. Nowhere warm to sleep, nowhere safe to go, and every night becomes a fight for survival. For some people living on Sudbury's streets, drugs become more than an addiction. They become a desperate attempt to escape the unbearable cold. Greater Sudbury mayoral candidate Bob Johnston joins Love the North to discuss what he has witnessed firsthand while working with people experiencing homelessness. Johnston describes individuals suffering from severe frostbite, including blackened fingers and toes. He explains how some turn to substances such as cocaine or fentanyl in an attempt to feel warm, even though the drugs provide no actual protection against freezing temperatures. Think about that. Someone can feel relief from the cold while their body continues suffering potentially permanent damage. Johnston argues that homelessness cannot be solved simply by managing the symptoms. We need to understand the underlying causes, including trauma, addiction, mental illness, poverty and the loss of hope. Drawing on his experience at the Blue Door Soup Kitchen and other community facilities, Johnston discusses creating a place where people can access shelter, education, life skills and support to rebuild their lives. The bigger question is whether Sudbury is investing enough in lasting solutions instead of repeatedly funding emergency responses. How many more winters will vulnerable residents have to endure before meaningful change happens? Watch the full interview and join the conversation. #LoveTheNorth #Sudbury #BobJohnston #Homelessness #Addiction #MentalHealth #SudburyElection2026 #NorthernOntario