Sault-Algoma candidates run to represent expanded riding

The newly formed Sault Ste. Marie-Algoma riding has a much larger wingspan, running from Spanish in the East all the way up to Hornepayne in the North.

CTV News Northern Ontario is asking each of the parties that currently have members elected to the House of Commons a series of questions to help voters make their decision.

The Conservative Party of Canada officials declined an opportunity for candidate Hugh Stevenson to be interviewed.

The Liberal Party’s Terry Sheehan has been the incumbent in Sault Ste. Marie since 2015. The longtime MP said he has the experience and energy to represent the riding again.

“I have been working for three decades in the Algoma District and Sault Ste. Marie in business and economic development and in skill development,” Sheehan said.

He said this campaign has only furthered his connection to the region and its people.

“I continually hear, what the opportunities and the challenges are in each of the communities in the Algoma District,” Sheehan said.

“There are very unique opportunities and very unique challenges that I know that I can help address and also move forward on these opportunities.”

NDP candidate Laura Mayer is a Blind River lawyer who worked for Algoma-Manitoulin-Kapuskasing MP Carol Hughes.

Mayer said she has been in the area nearly her whole life and has gained the skills and experiences to represent Sault Ste. Marie-Algoma.

“I have a really good grasp on the kind of economic reality that it is to live in this area,” she said.

“I’m a younger person. My partner is a teacher. My kids go to school here, and I know what it’s like for people and the struggles that they’re going through because I’m going through the same thing, as well.”

Green Party candidate Robyn Eshkibok said her straightforward attitude will be an asset in serving constituents if elected.

“I got a big mouth,” Eshkibok said.

“I’m pushy, I don’t stop.”

Her persistent care for the environment and Indigenous sovereignty led her to run for the Greens.

“Speaking up for the land and the water and being able to speak up for the air around me in the west end, we got to do better,” Eshkibok said.

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“The snow is still black. We’re not doing enough to make these changes immediately around us. Our health should be paramount considering our cancer (rates) per capita.”

The candidates said that they’ve learned what matters most to people in Sault Ste. Marie-Algoma.

“The environment, I believe, is the environment around us,” Eshkibok said.

“We’re facing unprecedented numbers of health issues, doctor shortages, nurses, health care.”

Sheehan said threats coming from south of the border are what’s on people’s minds.

“The No. 1 one issue that I’m hearing at the door continually is (the) threat to our economic security and to our sovereignty as a nation,” he said.

“They also see Mark Carney and I as the perfect duo to take on Trump and these unjust tariffs.”

If the Liberals form the government again, Sheehan said his party’s experience will be vital.

“We’re going to use our counter-tariff money to protect all of our workers. We’re going to have the … largest build since the Second World War in Canada using Canadian steel, aluminum lumber. And we’re gonna’ use those critical minerals, as well.”

Canada-U.S. relations

Mayer also said Canada-U.S. relations are dominating doorstep discussions.

“The most pressing issue is definitely the tariffs and the threat of kind of the economic influence of the United States (in) this instance, in Sault Ste. Marie-Algoma,” she said.

“The NDP has been really clear that any economic response to this needs to ensure that workers are at the centre, that we need to ensure that the union voices -- the people who are actually going to be laid off or have their jobs affected -- need to be at the table when these decisions are being made to respond to the United States.”

Mayer said that Canada’s response to the trade war shouldn’t be limited to resource development “as the only answer, that this is actually a way for us to protect our way of life and our Canadian values here.”

“And that ensures that we’re not privatizing health care,” she added.

“We’re not looking at American-izing our systems. Just in response to the United States, we need to stand firm to our values.”

Better society

Eshkibok ended her remarks with a reminder based on her personal views for a better society.

“Their intent … when they do land acknowledgments. What that really means and what that entails. And advocating for creation and living in harmony and peace with each other. And that comes with all the teachings more than the seven grandfather teachings. It’s a way of life.”

Sheehan took the opportunity to reiterate the Liberal Party’s focus on relations with the U.S.

“I will continue to stand up for workers and industry and all parts of the riding,” he said.

“In 2018, I was successful in our fight against Trump’s first tariffs as part of Team Canada. I’m back on Team Canada and this is something that we’ve never seen. It’s unprecedented, and I can tell you that I will continue to push and push.”

Election day in Canada is April 28.