Federal election ballot filling up

Staff

An upcoming federal election is still just the stuff of pundit rumours, but that hasn’t stopped local federal riding associations from getting prepared.

Three parties – the Liberal Party of Canada, New Democratic Party of Canada and the People’s Party of Canada – have held nomination meetings to select candidates in recent weeks.

Sitting Member of Parliament for Thunder Bay-Rainy River Marcus Powlowski was recently nominated to represent the riding for the Liberal Party. This will be the second election for the medical doctor and lawyer, who lives with his wife and children in Thunder Bay. His medical career has taken him around the world as an infectious disease specialist.

In the 2019 federal election, he won 14,498 votes. He beat Conservative Lynda Rydholm, who earned 12,039 votes, and the third place NDP, with 11,944 votes.

Powlowski will face at least one familiar face on the campaign trail; the NDP riding association has named Yuk-Sem Won as their candidate through acclamation, during a Zoom meeting last month. Won, who was born and raised in Hearst, served as the NDP candidate in 2019 as well.

Won graduated from Lakehead University, and has worked as a teacher in the public school system and a faculty member for Confederation College’s Human Resources Program. She is also a visual artist and labour activist.

Her supporters are optimistic about the prospects for a Won victory in the riding.

“In the last campaign, what she really demonstrated was compassion at every doorstep. She was very engaging, sincere and honest with people,” said Judith Monteith-Farrell, MPP for Thunder Bay-Atikokan.

“I know that we’re going to do it this time.”

A third candidate joined the ballot last week; Alan Aubut was acclaimed as the representative for the People’s Party of Canada. This will be Aubut’s first time seeking a seat. The Nipigon resident is a retired geologist, who worked throughout the region as a base metal consultant.

He was attracted to the People’s Party’s views on free speech and fiscal matters, and feels it offers the region a choice.

“I finally decided enough complaining and time to try and take an active hand in trying to right the political ship which currently is floundering badly,” he said. “I can recall too many past elections where we had to choose from a poor bunch. I want the people of this riding to have a real choice; someone who has real qualifications, is honest and has strong morals and is willing and able to be an active advocate for what matters most to us.”

The Conservative Party of Canada and the Green Party of Canada are currently finalizing details for their nomination meetings.

The next federal election must take place by October 16, 2023. However, due to the current minority government, Parliament could be dissolved at any point before that date, due either to a motion of no confidence, or a recommendation from Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.