Timmins-James Bay candidates vie for federal seat
With an area spanning more than 250,000 kilometres, from Kirkland Lake to Timmins and north to the James Bay Coast, four candidates are vying to serve the Timmins-James Bay riding in the fast-approaching federal election.
The incumbent, Charlie Angus, is coming off of a 17-year streak as MP for the New Democrats.
He said the party has a strong track recording of supporting the area's constituents through important issues and people can continue to rely on that.
"The issue of the opioid crisis is a very emotional issue in the area and people really want to know that something's going to be done on it," Angus said, of one of the key challenges that he promises to help overcome.
"We have many other issues that are hitting our region, certainly, the housing issues. We've had the Liberals talk about a national housing strategy forever -- we're not seeing the benefits of that.
"In the far north, we're still seeing in many communities where there's problems of clean water, poverty."
Conservative candidate Morgan Ellerton agreed these are some of the most pressing issues in the area, in addition to economic recovery from the pandemic.
However, he said the riding needs a change in representation to a party with a stronger presence in Parliament that can have more bargaining power.
"Especially the mental health, the homelessness, the addiction crisis in the area," said Ellerton, a registered nurse working at the Timmins and District Hospital who said the Conservatives offered the best platform for action.
"I've been struggling to get resources for many of my own patients and clients and this all just came together and said hey, this absolutely makes sense.
"Many of our resources and some of the investments that could be happening in our communities are simply falling to the side."
Former mayor in the race
Liberal candidate and former Timmins Mayor Steve Black said the riding has spent too long appealing to the ruling government for support.
He said with Justin Trudeau aiming for a majority in this election, voting Liberal is Timmins-James Bay's chance to make sure it is properly represented.
"When you look at Indigenous communities, when you look at mental health and addictions, when you look at housing, when you look at affordability for seniors and pensions for seniors, these are all issues that the Liberal party wants to continue to work on and address," said Black, who previously ran for the Conservatives.
"They've been key parts of their platforms over the years and I think (between) the two parties that are competing to form government right now — and it does look like it's a two-party race — the Liberal party is by far the better party to address those issues here, locally."
Also on the ballot is People's Party of Canada candidate Stephen MacLeod, who is running on the promise of ending COVID lockdowns and vaccine passports, boosting the regional economy and lowering federal taxes.
The Green Party is not fielding a candidate in this riding.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Spectacular aurora light show to be seen across Canada Friday night
A rare and severe solar storm is expected to bring spectacular displays of the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, across much of Canada and parts of the United States on Friday night.
'Tactical evacuations' underway near Fort Nelson, B.C., as wildfires encroach
The BC Wildfire Service says 'tactical evacuations' began Friday near Fort Nelson, B.C., due to an out-of-control wildfire that has grown rapidly since it was discovered earlier in the afternoon.
Snowbirds in Vancouver for puck-drop flyby as Canucks face Oilers
The Canadian Forces Snowbirds will be performing a flyover across downtown Vancouver at the start of tonight's Stanley Cup playoff game between the Canucks and the Edmonton Oilers.
McGill University seeks emergency injunction to dismantle pro-Palestinian encampment
McGill University has filed a request for an injunction to have the pro-Palestinian encampment removed from its campus.
Which Canadian cities have the highest and lowest grocery prices?
Where you live plays a big factor in what you pay at the grocery store. And while it's no secret the same item may have a different price depending on the store, city or province, we wanted to see just how big the differences are, and why.
Swarm of 20,000 bees gather around woman’s car west of Toronto
A swarm of roughly 20,000 bees gathered around a woman’s car in the parking lot of Burlington Centre.
Video shows naked raccoon catching B.C. family by surprise
When Marvin Henschel spotted a strange and hairless creature wandering through a front lawn in B.C.'s Lower Mainland, he could barely believe his eyes.
Barron Trump declines to serve as an RNC delegate
Former U.S. President Donald Trump's youngest son, Barron Trump, has declined to serve as a delegate at this summer’s Republican National Convention, according to a senior Trump campaign adviser and a statement from Melania Trump's office.
Out-of-control wildfire prompts evacuation alert for Fort McMurray, Saprae Creek Estates Friday night
An evacuation alert was issued for two Wood Buffalo communities Friday night, as crews battled an out-of-control wildfire near Fort McMurray.