THUNDER BAY — Bringing investments in infrastructure and social services like healthcare and education are top-of-mind for the Ontario Liberal Party’s candidate in the Thunder Bay-Atikokan riding.
Election day for Ontario voters is Feb. 27, after Conservative leader Doug Ford called a snap election on Jan. 22.
“I think really what people in Thunder Bay-Atikokan want is a government that's really committed to the services that people rely on day in and day out,” Stephen Margarit said in an interview with Dougall Media. “So, whether that's healthcare, education, housing or the rising cost of living, this is what people have talked to me about, and this is the thing I want to champion at Queens Park.”
While this is Margarit’s first time putting his name forward to run for provincial office (he has twice run for an at-large seat on Thunder Bay city council), he’s no stranger to Queen’s Park, having been a constituency assistant for former longtime MPP and cabinet minister Michael Gravelle over two periods of time, totalling about five years. That covered when Gravelle both was in the party forming government, and in opposition.
Margarit said he learned a lot from the political veteran.
“He had great connections with people and his constituents, and he just knew and remembered everybody,” he said. “We'd go door-to-door during campaigns and the stories people would tell.”
“I think when you're an MPP, it's about building that connection to the people you represent across the riding.”
Margarit said he feels he’s ready for the campaign.
“Well, it was a quicker decision this time, obviously with this unexpected election that shouldn't be happening until next June,” he said of the early writ drop by Premier Doug Ford. “I've been involved in the political realm for many years, and I just felt like, 'you know what, now's the time.'”
“I think I bring a fresh face to this race as someone who's new, someone who's passionate,” he said. “It’s going to be interesting. It's a very different election from what we're used to because it's going to be a winter election, but my goal is to get out there, meet with as many people as I can, see what issues they have, and see how I can champion those at Queens Park.”
In the riding, Progressive Conservative incumbent Kevin Holland and former New Democrat MPP Judith Monteith-Farrell have also been nominated by their respective parties. Eric Arner will run for the Green Party for the second election in a row.
