A potential candidate in the Ontario Liberal Leadership race was kicking tires over the last couple of days in the Timmins and Kapuskasing area. Nate Erskine-Smith, a federal member of parliament from a Toronto riding, says there are similar concerns across the province from roads to health care, but the important issue is having a northern voice represented.
“Northern communities can take advantage of programs designed by bureaucrats at Queen’s Park and Ottawa then everything we do, there has to be a strong northern perspective,” he said. “So that’s why I’m here to build a team that includes a strong northern voice.”
He says the party needs to build a strong platform and MPPs must be trustworthy.
“I can make a lot of promises but you judge me on how I act and integrity honesty and matter incredibly in our politics,” he said. “So we need competence, compassion and especially integrity.”
So far no candidates have officially joined the race. Erskine-Smith says support has been overwhelming and he hopes to have a decision by May 9th.
The vote for a new leader of the provincial liberals takes place at the end of November.
Here is the complete interview with Nate Erskine-Smith: