ELLIOT LAKE—Craig Hughson accepted nomination as the the Ontario Liberal Party candidate for Algoma-Manitoulin in the next provincial election during a June 1 nomination meeting in Elliot Lake. Mr. Hughson’s nomination was unchallenged, but the former Little Current resident said he was taking nothing for granted, hitting the road to Queen’s Park running, he spent most of the rest of the weekend re-introducing himself to Manitoulin Island voters at the Manitoulin Trade Fair in his hometown.
“Throughout my career, first and foremost I’ve always been a proud Northerner who gets results,” said Mr. Hughson. “As Algoma-Manitoulin’s MPP, my focus will be on creating jobs and growing the Northern Ontario economy. I’m fighting for a future where our children will be able to learn, live, and prosper right here in Northern Ontario.”
“I am honoured to represent the Ontario Liberal Party and Premier Kathleen Wynne’s vision of a fiscally-responsible, fair society that’s absolutely dedicated to growing prosperity here in the North,” Mr. Hughson said during his acceptance speech at Elliot Lake’s White Mountain Academy. “Make no mistake, in the next election I’ll be fighting for our future. I’m going to be the voice for real, positive change that creates jobs, grows the economy, and helps people in their everyday lives here in Algoma-Manitoulin—just like I’ll be a strong voice for Northern Ontario in Kathleen Wynne’s government.”
Mr. Hughson was born and raised on Manitoulin Island and his parents still reside at the family home in Little Current.
Like many of the Island’s young people, Mr. Hughson headed south to pursue his career aspiration, spending more than a dozen years at Queen’s Park, an experience he said has given him a comprehensive understanding of government and politics. Mr. Hughson has served in several capacities over the years, including the chief of staff and senior policy advisor to several cabinet ministers, the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly’s office and saw the other side of the floor working for an opposition MPP. After leaving government, Mr. Hughson held senior positions in public and government relations firms.
He said that he will use the experience and skills he has obtained in his career to improve the quality of life, opportunities for youth and work in the North.
“Throughout my career, first and foremost I’ve always been a proud Northerner who gets results,” said Mr. Hughson. “As Algoma-Manitoulin’s MPP, my focus will be on creating jobs and growing the Northern Ontario economy. I’m fighting for a future where our children will be able to learn, live, and prosper right here in Northern Ontario.”
A graduate of Manitoulin Secondary School and Canadore College with diplomas in small business management and small business administration, Mr. Hughson has two children and volunteers his time as a minor league hockey coach and referee. Mr. Hughson would be familiar to many Islanders in his striped referee shirt or suited up in his goalie pads. His passions also include hunting and fishing as well as spending time at the family camp in Echo Bay.
