Candidates running in northern Ontario riding have some big shoes to fill

NDP candidate Nicole Fortier Levesque didn’t have a plan to run in this election until she got a call from former NDP MP Carol Hughes and encouraged her to enter the race. “I said ‘well this time,’ she said. “I was also the mayor of Moonbeam until 2022 and I have established very good relationships with the people, politicians either at the provincial or federal level so I know exactly what our needs are in northern Ontario, especially in the north coast.” Fortier Levesque , and the other candidates running in the riding of Kapaskasing-Timmins-Muskegowuk have big shoes to fill. Charlie Angus, who represented the NDP for the past two decades, decided not to run again. He was a tireless worker for the rights of Indigenous Peoples, especially the First Nations in his riding including Attawapiskat and Fort Albany. He was a strong supporter of residential school survivors and their drive to be compensated for the harms caused at those schools. She said there are a number of issues for First Nations. “We need to build houses so it’s not only housing but this is one of the main issues,” she said. “There is also the price of food. It’s very expensive over there. It is expensive here but for them it’s even more expensive.” Kapaskasing-Timmins-Muskegowuk is a mining rich area in northern Ontario. Photo: Annette Francis/APTN. Both federal and the province of Ontario are looking at an area of the riding called the Ring of Fire with dollar signs in their eyes. The massive area is rich in critical minerals needed for the green energy economy including car batteries and communications. Both the Conservatives and Liberals are promising to fast track mining proposals to get work started. While some First Nations are on board – others are not. Conservative candidate Geatan Malette said he’s been preparing for this election for a year. He said he has more than 40 years in the forestry and mining sector and has been involved with First Nations across the country. Malette said relationship building with First Nations is key to getting projects approved. APTN News asked him how he’d deal with First Nations opposed to mining, he said in a democracy, a majority is important. “Well that becomes a very difficult issue but I guess in a democracy, it’s majority,” he said. “We’re going to find out on the 28th what Canadians want. Not every Canadian will want the government that will be elected, democracy is majority.” Steve Black is the Liberal candidate for the riding and said he has experience in municipal politics and a career in mining that will help him with First Nations. “Every community is different,” he said, “every community has different wants or ways to go about forming those partnerships and the importance that we have a government that respect the rights of the Indigenous people and we are committed to that consultation and hearing what the issues that are that need to be addressed.” Continue Reading