ALGOMA-MANITOULIN-KAPUSKASING— Thirty-three-year-old Andre Robichaud of Kapuskasing is the latest candidate to throw his name in the ring, contending to be the next Member of Parliament for the riding of Algoma-Manitoulin-Kapuskasing, representing the Conservative Party.
He told The Expositor that, like many teens, he made the decision to leave the North, studying at the University of Ottawa and gaining a Bachelor of Arts in health sciences, but said he quickly realized that the North is where he wanted, and needed, to be.
“At my age, I made the bold choice to come back,” he said, noting that in his role as economic development officer for the town of Kapuskasing for the past six years, he sees the North missing out on a lot of economic opportunities. Despite his busy position, Mr. Robichaud says he still finds time to hunt, golf and play hockey in his spare time.
The Conservative Party has done much for Northern Ontario, he said, but it’s either not being highlighted by the government or is being lost in the rhetoric of the New Democratic Party.
“Businesses create most of the jobs in the North and they need a positive climate in which to invest,” Mr. Robichaud explained, adding that he is that person to create just such a climate.
The Conservative candidate said he is looking forward to travelling the vast riding, and making a visit to Manitoulin Island—a place he has yet to visit.
“I’m taking two months off without pay to do this and I fully intend to get to every corner of this riding,” Mr. Robichaud said.
“My campaign will focus on creating quality jobs, being a strong voice in government, protecting the rights of hunters, seniors’ care and ensuring hardworking families continue to benefit from tax relief under Prime Minister Stephen Harper,” he added.
“Why vote for me?” he posed the question. “I’m a candidate with strong ties to this riding with no intentions of going elsewhere and I understand the realities of Northern Ontario and what it means to be a Northerner.”
