The new federal riding boundaries have not been formally drawn yet but one man already is standing at the gate eager to run for the NDP in Thunder Bay-Rainy River.
Larry Richardson, who says he is 65 and holding, has deep roots in the Fort Frances area. He was in Rainy River on Friday, where he said he plans to reside when he runs for the NDP nomination in the new riding.
While he’s been in Edmonton, Alta. for about 30 years now, Richardson said he “got a burning in my stomach to return and run.”
Before leaving for work out west, Richardson had served eight years on town council in Fort Frances in the 1960s and also tried to win a seat at Queen’s Park twice.
“I ran against Bill Noden, who was like God, having brought the causeway to be,” he noted. “I also lost the Liberal/Labour nomination to Kenora’s Pat Reid.”
Richardson’s family were pioneers in the Burriss Township area. He said he always has had an affinity for this area and is looking forward to relocating to Rainy River.
So why move to Rainy River as opposed to the vote-rich Thunder Bay area? “In my opinion, Rainy River has the most potential in the district and if elected, I plan to build on that potential,” Richardson vowed.
He also worries that any candidate based in Thunder Bay won’t have any interest west of Atikokan.
Richardson realizes the majority of voters will be in the Thunder Bay area and says he has great ideas on how to improve areas of that city, such as Simpson Street.
In Rainy River, he sees the answer to a great future being the creation of many small industries that employ five-10 people. “It is not the big industries that this area has the most potential for, it is the small ones,” he stressed.
Richardson also sees the toll-free bridge linking Rainy River and Baudette as the best place to cross into this region as a tourist. “I will do everything I can to promote this border crossing and increase the traffic levels here,” he said.
Richardson has worked at Northlands Coliseum in Edmonton and said he sees tourism potential here.
He said he’s already garnered the support of long-time NDP’er Owen Lindsay. He hopes support across the region grows and that he captures the party’s nomination in the new riding for a widely-anticipated spring election.
Richardson has taken out a post office box in Rainy River and is looking for a place to rent for now.
Fort Frances Times
Local News from Across the Rainy River District
