Just a day away from Election Day 2022, here are your candidates for the Kenora-Rainy River District.
Greg Rickford: Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario
Greg Rickford serves as the current Member of Provincial Parliament for the Kenora-Rainy River riding and Minister of Northern Development, Mines, Natural Resources and Forestry, and Minister of Indigenous Affairs for Ontario. He is a former Member of Parliament for the Kenora riding. Before his political career, he worked as a nurse in many Northern Ontario and remote indigenous communities. He holds a common and civil law degree from McGill University and an MBA from Université Laval.
Approaching the end of this election cycle, Rickford said “I’ve deeply appreciated being able to connect with thousands of voters across the Kenora-Rainy River Riding during the course of our campaign. We have knocked on more doors in this campaign than any other campaign in my political career. It has been great to meet and speak with so many people and listen to their concerns.”
“People appreciate all that the PCs have done for the region in the last four years. If re-elected, I will continue to be a strong voice for our community, with a seat at the Queen's Park table.”
According to Rickford, people should vote for him because:
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He has proven himself a strong voice for the northwest
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He is experienced in serving the region and he has a drive for results
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He will remain committed to rebuilding the economy, working for workers across the north, and building highways and infrastructure such as the Highway 17 twinning project.
Anthony Leek: Ontario Liberal Party
Anthony Leek currently serves as the OntarioLearn Coordinator for Seven Generations Education Institute. Leek is active in northwestern Ontario motorsport racing and he is a current promoter at the Lake of the Woods Speedway. Leek was a municipal Councillor in Rainy River before moving to Kenora.
“Over the last three weeks, I have been campaigning from Keewatin to Ignace and across the entire Kenora-Rainy River district. The conversations were very good and the interactions were very positive across the whole area at the doors I have been knocking at,” explained Leek.
“You know, at the end of the day, I am pretty optimistic about [Election Day]. I would definitely cherish the opportunity to be a strong, local voice at Queens Park!”
According to Leek, people should vote for him because:
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He supports the continued development of the Lake of the Woods District Hospital and the All-Nations Hospital
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He will assure that Highways 11 and 17 are kept to the highest level of winter standards and would work to have them re-classified as class 1 highways so that they are plowed more often.
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He would continue to advance the widening of Highway 17 from Kenora to the Manitoba Border, as well as other stretches of the highway in our region.
JoAnne Formanek Gustafson: Ontario New Democratic Party
JoAnne Formanek Gustafson has had a vast career as an educator and anti-racism advocate. She has career experience in bookkeeping, office management, and constituency assistants. She has also worked as an education assistant and elementary, secondary, and college educator. Formanek Gustafson completed an MEd in 2017, she has since deepened her work in anti-racist/anti-oppressive work.
According to Formanek Gustafson, people should vote for her because:
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She believes the NDP can improve access to health care, access to affordable housing, and fully funded public education in Northern Ontario
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She believes we can “work together to find solutions for the barriers faced by many people in our communities.”
KenoraOnline reached out for an interview with Formanek Gustafson, but no response was made.
Catherine Kiewning: Green Party of Ontario
Catherine Kiewning is a Red Lake local who has a passion for giving back to her community. Kiewning attended university in Montreal and earned a Master’s degree in social justice education from Lakehead University before settling down in Dryden for her dream job; working with youth in public health. Kiewning has dedicated much of her time to volunteering with organizations such as the Second Chance Pet Network, the Citizens’ Climate Lobby, and the local Christmas Cheer initiative. Presently, she is a Director/Co-Founder on the Rainbow Alliance Dryden/Pride Committee, Chair of Hoshizaki House’s Board of Directors, and Director/Co-Founder of the Dryden Area Young Professionals Network. Catherine also ran as a candidate in Dryden’s 2018 municipal election.
“I am feeling really hopeful for at least five percent of the votes to secure some more funding for the Green Kenora-Rainy River Riding Association. With five percent of the votes, it does secure some extra funding to support the next candidate and the next election. So, no vote is wasted on me,” said Kiewning.
“I am really nervous, excited, tired, all of the feelings for election day. I don’t know what to expect but I am really proud of what I was able to accomplish. I had a really great time being out in the communities, meeting new people, getting to hear some of the struggles they are having, getting to hear some of the amazing things they are doing, and if I am elected, I can’t wait to amplify all the things that are happening in the Kenora-Rainy River Riding.”
According to Kiewning, people should vote for her because:
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She will make sure that people feel seen and heard
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The Green Party will be a team that puts their people, planet and jobs first.
Mi’Azhikwan/Janine Seymour: Independent
Mi’Azhikwan/Janine Seymour is a local lawyer, speaker and activist. In this election, she is running as an independent. She has previous experience as she was the NDP candidate for the Kenora Riding in the 2021 Federal Election.
KenoraOnline reached out for an interview with Mi’Azhikwan/Seymour, but no response was made.
Kelvin Boucher-Chicago: New Blue Party of Ontario
Kelvin Boucher-Chicago is a local activist who has spent many years on the local political scene. Boucher-Chicago is passionate about being an advocate for the Anishinaabe people. He is also fighting for transparency in the media and government.
He said “As voters, we always want change – well this is change and I think it will work. All we need to do is get up there and make it happen without costing millions and millions of dollars.”
According to Boucher-Chicago, people should vote for him because:
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He will be a voice of fairness and reason to those he represents
Richard A. Jonasson: Consensus Ontario
KenoraOnline reached out for an interview with Jonasson, but no response was made.
Larry Breiland: Ontario Party
KenoraOnline attempted to reach out for an interview with Breiland but could not locate any contact information.