ELLIOT LAKE—While he will no longer be serving the Algoma-Manitoulin riding provincially, following the result of the provincial election last week, long-time member of provincial parliament Michael Mantha said he will continue to serve the community in some form.
“It has truly been an honour and a privilege to serve the people of Algoma-Manitoulin for the past 13 plus years,” stated Mr. Mantha, who had first been elected in 2011, defeating long-time Liberal member, the late Mike Brown. Before being elected, he was a staff member for Algoma-Manitoulin-Kapuskasing MP Carol Hughes. He was removed from the NDP ranks following a third-party investigation into alleged harassment.
“We ran an awesome, positive campaign, and we visited constituents in every corner and community in the riding,” said Mr. Mantha, noting some of the issues he focused on included health care, affordability and roads.”
Read our related story, “Manitoulin Votes!”, where Mr. Mantha responds to our question.
Mr. Mantha said newly elected MPP Bill Rosenberg, “is a good friend of mine. He will be an excellent representative for this riding and having an MPP with the government (in power) will benefit the riding.”
“I have offered Bill (Rosenberg) any assistance I can provide,” said Mr. Mantha, who added he is looking forward “to being able to spend more time as a dad to my sons again, going golfing, and fishing, which I haven’t been able to do for a long time.”
As for a future role in politics in some capacity in the future, “you never know,” stated Mr. Mantha. “I have loved serving the constituents of this riding, hearing and talking about heavy issues, helping them, laughing with them and at times crying with them as well, and attending all the fantastic events in the riding.”
“There are many other ways I can help serve the community, there are a couple of local clubs I may now have time to join, so I can continue to serve the community in some capacity,” added Mr. Mantha.
