Election profile for Sault Ste. Marie

Election profile for Sault Ste. Marie A look at the riding of SAULT STE. MARIE, its provincial candidates, and the mood of the voters.

All this week on CTV Northern Ontario News at Six, we'll be taking a closer look at ridings in our region.

Who are the candidates and what's the mood of voters?

We begin with the riding of Sault Ste. Marie…

This electoral district consists solely of the city itself.

The Soo is the third largest city in Northern Ontario after Sudbury and Thunder Bay.

There are just under 60,000 eligible voters in the riding and here's what's on their minds ahead of next week's vote:

“I would like to see something perhaps with Huron Central Line. I think that's vitally important. Either trucks are going to wear out our highways or we are going to put them on train cars and put them on rail tracks.”

“I am hoping to get some common sense overall and how we run provincially, within the city, and within the province. Making good sense of the money being spent on programs and not just caring for with knee-jerk reactions.”

“Healthcare and jobs.”

“I hope they do what they say they are going to do. I realize it's going to be difficult with all the different opinions, but I just feel that if there's just something they could show us that they are working for the people and not just working for their own selves and their party.”

"Kathleen Wynne should get in there.  She's a very good, good lady and she supports pretty well good business."

Last June, there was a by-election in Sault Ste. Marie to replace Liberal David Orazietti, who resigned from politics.

The outcome of that by-election put the riding into blue territory with Progressive Conservative Ross Romano winning the seat.

He is the incumbent looking to retain his seat and keep the riding in the hands of the Ontario PCs.

And along with Romano, here's a look at the other candidates:

Community activist and President of the Sault Ste. Marie Labour Council Michele McCleave-Kennedy is on the ballot for the New Democratic Party.

The Liberal candidate is Jaclynne Hamel, who has advocated for increased mental health supports and affordable housing.

Kara Flannigan is running for the Green Party of Ontario.

Lance Brizard is the Libertarian candidate.

And the Northern Ontario Party has Sandy Holmberg running in the riding of Sault Ste. Marie.