Staff
Local candidates already have hit the campaign trail following Friday afternoon’s historic vote that toppled the minority Conservative government.
With voters heading to the polls May 2, incumbent MP John Rafferty will be looking to keep Thunder Bay-Rainy River NDP orange after first winning the seat in the 2008 election.
“One of the things I’ve tried to do in these last two-and-a-half years was to make sure that I did things in Ottawa for the people of Thunder Bay-Rainy River, according to their wishes, and I think I’ve accomplished that,” Rafferty said.
He doesn’t see much change in the campaign from what he had been doing day-to-day as an MP—meeting with people, attending events, and knocking on doors.
Meanwhile, Liberal candidate, Ken Boshcoff is looking to regain the seat he lost to Rafferty in 2008.
“People have been extremely supportive and very positive,” he noted.
“I have not been so encouraged in years.
“I think that Canadians appreciate a balanced, responsible approach to government and there’s only one party that is offering that,” Boshcoff argued.
Two new faces also will be on the ballot for this election.
Thunder Bay’s Maureen Comuzzi-Stehmann was chosen several months ago as the riding’s Conservative candidate—following in the footsteps of her longtime politician uncle, Joe Comuzzi.
Running for this Green Party in Thunder Bay-Rainy River is election newcomer Ed Shields.
With two doctoral degrees, Shields was a professor at McGill University in Montreal for almost 30 years.
He currently resides on a family farm in Neebing, just outside of Thunder Bay.
Meanwhile, Fort Frances-based campaign offices still are being set up by the candidates.
In related news, the Elections Canada returning office in Fort Frances is located at 130 Second St. E., Suite 2 (the Senic River mall).
Advanced voting will take place there April 22, 23, and 25.
