THUNDER BAY – Glen Murray says, “Ten years from now, I would like to look back and be able to say ‘I was the Premier when we took the steps to make Northern Ontario stronger”. Murray’s plan is to have Queen’s Park stop telling the North what will be done, and to establish a regional governance model for the North that will provide the region with its own voice.
Murray is seeking the leadership of the Ontario Liberal Party. The current MPP for the riding of Toronto Centre stated that “It is important to create the diversity in the region that provides the needed economic benefits and opportunities for youth”. As Minister of Universities and Research Murray commented that bringing the medical school, and the law school to Thunder Bay along with the school of architecture to Sudbury, it means students seeking higher education in the North can stay in the region.
Murray states as Premier he would establish regional governance in the North. That would turn decision making in the region over to people in the North, and would mean that the decisions would benefit the region. The candidate says that he already has the proven experience coming from being Mayor of Winnipeg where he worked to build solid relationships.
In terms of working with First Nations, Murray shares that his Cree name is “One who leads” and he has a history of building solid relationships that would put more authority into the hands of First Nations.
When it comes to regional governance, Murray states that the Constitution provides the needed guidance and will be followed.
The candidate for the Liberal leadership stated that it is time to take Northern Ontario to the next level, and that his experience as the former Mayor of Winnipeg and as a cabinet minister in the Ontario legislature positions him as the person to do it.
