TIMMINS – The Ontario Progressive Conservatives are continuing to nominate candidates. The move toward a possible spring provincial election continues. In Thunder Bay the Thunder Bay Superior North Progressive Conservatives hosted their nomination meeting today. Tamara Johnson, a local entrepreneur has been nominated for the Progressive Conservatives.
She will face off against popular incumbent Minister of Northern Development Michael Gravelle for the Liberals and Current River city councillor Andrew Foulds. Johnson will have to climb a major political mountain to take the riding.
In Timmins, the Progressive Conservatives nominated Steve Black. Ontario PC Leader Tim Hudak has congratulated Steve Black on his nomination as the Ontario PC candidate for Timmins-James Bay. Hudak applauded and thanked Black for his unwavering commitment to reducing the size and cost of government and kick-starting the economy to create private-sector jobs.
“Northerners are aware that every day’s delay just digs Ontario into a deeper hole – and as a result there is now growing public consensus that our province is at a ‘tipping point’ and that we need urgent action,” said Hudak. “Steven understands the priorities for a brighter future for Northern Ontario and knows how to create the private sector jobs that will lead our province back to prosperity.”
“Better days are ahead for Northern Ontario, but only if we get our fiscal house in order and our economic fundamentals back in line in the face of a looming $30 billion deficit and an ongoing jobs crisis,” said Black. “Tim Hudak and the PC Party have been ahead of the curve on the economy from the start. Our Party is the only one talking seriously about how we get private sector job growth back on track. The NDP and Liberals will only dig a deeper hole.”
“We need policies that will encourage Northern growth and put us firmly on the path to prosperity,” stated Black noting several specific Ontario PC plans for private sector job growth which include:
- Repeal the Far North Act to encourage job creation and economic development in the North
- Treat affordable energy as a cornerstone of economic growth
- Make Ontario the top jurisdiction for mining in Canada again, and
- Use a Northern lens for Northern decision making, especially around land use, tourism and crown land.
Black is raising a daughter and a son, serves on Timmins City Council and works as an engineer in the mining industry.
