Zoey Duncan
The Progressive Conservative candidate will join the race to become the next MPP for Kenora-Rainy River when Rod McKay and Louis Roussin vie for votes in three nomination meetings set for tomorrow.
The winner will take on the Sarah Campbell (NDP), Anthony Leek (Liberals), and Jo-Jo Holiday (Greens) in the Oct. 6 provincial election.
A campaign across the province’s largest riding will be an adjustment for both candidates, who previously ran campaigns for their current positions on Kenora city council.
“The process is the same: you still need the same hard work and dedication,” Roussin said.
“The issues are greater, more diverse, dealing with many issues that effect everyone in Ontario,” he noted.
McKay did not respond to requests for an interview, but the sawmill manager previously told the Times that he will emphasize the importance of forestry and resource issues in the riding.
“I think we’ve pretty much been forgotten in the north and I think representation in the north at Queen’s Park would certainly give us higher profile. . . .” he had said.
“There’s a lot of issues and really it all comes down to getting Northwestern Ontario back to work.”
Roussin, meanwhile, said he is “very, very satisfied” with the Progressive Conservative platform and that he’ll stick close to the issues, including barriers to economic development, energy costs, and job creation.
“I just hope that everybody will get out [to vote],” he remarked.
“I think it’s time taxpayers start being heard,” he stressed. “I think politicians have to listen to the taxpayers.
“We need change real quickly and we need it badly.”
The first of the three nomination meetings will be held in Room 100 at La Place Rendez-Vous here.
Registration will take place from 8-9 a.m., followed by speeches by the two candidates and then balloting.
The next meeting will be held at the Holiday Inn Express in Dryden, starting with registration from 2-3 p.m.
The final vote will take place at the Best Western Lakeside Inn in Kenora, with registration running from 7-8 p.m.
The winner will be announced once all the votes are tallied.
