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
DEVELOPING Person on fire outside Trump's hush money trial rushed away on a stretcher
A person who was on fire in a park outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump’s hush money trial is taking place has been rushed away on a stretcher.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
'It could be catastrophic': Woman says natural supplement contained hidden painkiller drug
A Manitoba woman thought she found a miracle natural supplement, but said a hidden ingredient wreaked havoc on her health.
Vicious attack on a dog ends with charges for northern Ont. suspect
Police in Sault Ste. Marie charged a 22-year-old man with animal cruelty following an attack on a dog Thursday morning.
Senators reject field trip to African Lion Safari amid elephant bill study
The Senate legal affairs committee has rejected a motion calling for members to take a $50,000 field trip to the African Lion Safari in southern Ontario to see the zoo's elephant exhibit.
DEVELOPING G7 warns of new sanctions against Iran as world reacts to apparent Israeli drone attack
Group of Seven foreign ministers warned of new sanctions against Iran on Friday for its drone and missile attack on Israel, and urged both sides to avoid an escalation of the conflict.
Police in Paris detain a man wearing fake explosives vest at Iran's Consulate
A man wearing a fake explosive vest and making threats was detained Friday outside the Iranian Consulate in Paris after police locked down the area, authorities said. His motive was unclear.
CFIA monitoring for avian flu in Canadian dairy cattle after U.S. discoveries
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is encouraging veterinarians to keep an eye out for signs of avian influenza in dairy cattle following recent discoveries of cases of the disease in U.S. cow herds.