Big names running to represent Algoma-Manitoulin
Health care appears to be one of the bigger issues for voters along the North Shore as they get set to cast ballots in Algoma-Manitoulin.
Algoma-Manitoulin is one of the larger ridings in the province, stretching from Manitouwadge to Manitoulin Island. Michael Mantha has held the riding for the NDP since 2011.
Before 2011, it had flipped between the Progressive Conservatives and Liberals.
Mantha said health care challenges need to be taken seriously.
"We have to make the investments we need in health care, we have to get doctors in northern Ontario, we have to get specialists here, we have to get nurses, we have to RNs, RPNs, PSWs," he said.
"We're certainly not going to settle for anything less."
Mantha said he has seen problems first hand. In his own community of Elliot Lake, the hospital had to declare a 'code orange' just before Christmas because they didn't have enough staff to run the emergency department.
Emergency cases had to be diverted to nearby Blind River. Health care has also been an area of concern in Thessalon.
"We need primary care in northern Ontario and across Algoma-Manitoulin," he said.
"(We need to make) sure that our roads are safe to travel on and that winter road maintenance is properly servicing our roads. And we need to make absolute investments into mental health because this area is the worst opioid crisis across this province per capita."
Hoping to switch the riding back to red is Tim Vine, Liberal candidate and hospital administrator by trade.
Vine is no stranger to health care, having worked at the Manitoulin Health Centre. He said health has to be the No. 1 priority for Algoma-Manitoulin, given some of what the region has faced.
"There are so many communities that don't have doctors," Vine said. "They don't have access to needed primary care (and struggle) accessing specialists."
If elected, he said he would advocate for made-in-the-north solutions and convince Queen's Park to "buy in."
Vine said he's cognizant of the fact the Liberals are the third-place party and that they were decimated in the last election.
He's been telling voters the party has taken a good, long look in the mirror and learned from its past mistakes. The reception he's getting from the doors is positive, he added.
"I think there's a lot of people that don't understand how close the system came to the brink during COVID and it hasn't gotten better," Vine said.
"We're seeing burnout in nurses and burnout in doctors and frankly we're seeing burnout right across the medical community."
CTV News made several attempts to contact Progressive Conservative candidate Cheryl Fort since May 13. At one point, her office said the questions would have to be vetted in advance, which is against CTV News policy.
Another email was sent to her campaign and we were unable to accommodate her before the broadcast deadline.
CTV News also made multiple attempts to reach Green Party candidate Maria Legault, through her email and the party, and were unable to reach her.
Other candidates in the running include New Blue's Ron Koski and the Ontario Party's Frederick Weening.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Grandparents killed in wrong-way crash on Hwy. 401 identified
A 60-year-old man and a 55-year-old woman killed in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 earlier this week have been identified by the Consulate General of India in Toronto.
Police arrest 3 Indian nationals in killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar
Three people have been arrested and charged in the killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar – as authorities continue investigating potential connections to the Indian government.
Suter scores late goal, clinches series for Canucks
Pius Suter scored with 1:39 left and the Vancouver Canucks advanced to the second round of the NHL playoffs with a 1-0 victory over the Nashville Predators on Friday night in Game 6.
TD worst-case scenario more likely after drug money laundering allegations: analyst
TD Bank Group could be hit with more severe penalties than previously expected, says a banking analyst after a report that the investigation it faces in the U.S. is tied to laundering illicit fentanyl profits.
Quebec man who threatened Trudeau, Legault online sentenced to 20 months in jail
A Quebec man who pleaded guilty to threatening Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Premier François Legault has been sentenced to 20 months in jail.
Human remains found in rural Sask. possibly a decade old, RCMP say
RCMP say human remains found in a rural area in central Saskatchewan may have been there for a decade or more.
Britney Spears 'home and safe' after paramedics responded to an incident at the Chateau Marmont, source tells CNN
A source close to singer Britney Spears tells CNN that the pop star is 'home and safe' after she had a 'major fight' with her boyfriend on Wednesday night at the Chateau Marmont in West Hollywood.
Canadian doctor concerned new weight-loss drug Wegovy may be used inappropriately
As Wegovy becomes available to Canadians starting Monday, a medical expert is cautioning patients wanting to use the drug to lose weight that no medication is a ''magic bullet,' and the new medication is meant particularly for people who meet certain criteria related to obesity and weight.
Drew Carey is never quitting 'The Price Is Right'
Drew Carey took over as host of 'The Price Is Right' and hopes he’s there for life. 'I'm not going anywhere,' he told 'Entertainment Tonight' of the job he took over from longtime host Bob Barker in 2007.