OntarioNewsNorth.com presents CANDIDATES NIGHT (Algoma-Manitoulin)
“Voter apathy is very high, especially at the Provincial level in this region, and I hope that hosting this event will help engage people in the election and increase voter interest by providing Algoma-Manitoulin constituents with the opportunity query the candidates regarding issues they feel are important help them make an informed decision prior to voting.” Natalie Labbee, Organizer of 2011 Algoma-Manitoulin Candidates' Night in Manitouwadge
Manitouwadge Hosts Provincial Candidates Night Broadcast LIVE! throughout the riding – Local media assist
MANITOUWADGE, ON – With only a few days since the writ was dropped, the Government of Ontario officially announced the beginning of the Provincial Election campaign September 1st and once again, Manitouwadge has been selected to host another Candidates Night which will include an interactive live broadcast.
Provincial Candidates; Liberal incumbent MPP Mike Brown, NDP Candidate Michael Mantha and PC Candidate Joe Champan, will be busy circulating the vast riding of Algoma-Manitoulin over the next month, making stops in various communities to meet with constituents, erecting lawn signs for support and listening to the important issues that are unique to each community in anticipation of Election Day on October 6.
Similar to the Federal Candidates Night that was held in Manitouwadge in April, organizer Natalie Labbee has once again spearheaded the quest to ensure constituents in the western most part of the riding; Manitouwadge, White River, Dubreuilville, Hornepayne, Wawa, not be forgotten.
“The Candidates Night held here for the Federal Election was very well attended and many important questions were asked. I feel it’s especially important for Manitouwadge to host one once again for the upcoming Provincial Election. Our part of the riding has been very hard hit over the last few years. Recognizing this, all of the Candidates and their campaign managers have been very accommodating with their schedules to include us.” explains Labbee.
Working alongside Labbee as Moderator is CFNO.FM (93.1 FM) News Director and Morning Show Host Al Cresswell. Cresswell received much praise for his fair, solid moderation of the Federal Candidates Night; Labbee will use a very similar format to that she chose for the Federal Candidates’ Night in this event for Provincial electoral candidates, September 16th.
“Voter apathy is very high, especially at the Provincial level in this region, and I hope that hosting this event will help engage people in the election and increase voter interest by providing Algoma-Manitoulin constituents with the opportunity query the candidates regarding issues they feel are important help them make an informed decision prior to voting.” adds Labbee.
Unique to the Algoma-Manitoulin the Algoma-Manitoulin riding is the opportunity, for constituents unable to attend, the option, once again, of participating in real time thanks to the sponsorship of www.OntarioNewsNorth.com, your regional community paper. Among the many events broadcast Live by OntarioNewsNorth.com in the past were the federal Thunder Bay-Superior North Candidates Night from Marathon AND Algoma-Manitoulin-Kapuskasing Candidates Night (also organized by Labbee) from Manitouwadge, the 1st at which OntarioNewsNorth.com also included live interaction. Constituents throughout the riding unable to make the trip to Manitouwadge will be able to watch via LIVE STREAMING LIVE and even log-in (optional) to ask their questions using the ‘live chat’. Keep reading OntarioNewsNorth.com for more as several communities are working to have the broadcast available at special venues. Editor, Karina Hunter is excited about the opportunity to sponsor the event.
“This is an incredible opportunity for Manitouwadge to be hosting this very important debate. It’s important to have representation in this part of the riding and www.OntarioNewsNorth.com is pleased to be part of making this debate a success and fully interactive as it happens”, Hunter explains.
“Communities across the riding came together at various halls and meeting spaces as well as from home, to participate together because of the virtual ability of Streaming Live during the Candidates Night for the Federal Election held in April. I hope that even more constituents will take advantage of this incredible opportunity on September 16th” she adds.
Constituents watching the Live Stream will be able to pose their questions online to be read to the Moderator for the Candidate’s responses.
The Candidates Night in Manitouwadge will be held at the Manitouwadge High School auditorium beginning at 6:30 pm on Friday, September 16, 2011. Everyone is welcome.
THE CANDIDATES
MPP Mike Brown (Liberal Incumbent)
Mike Brown has represented the riding as its Member of Provincial Parliament since 1987. Both in government and in opposition, Mike has a long record of championing issues important to the North.
Mike has held numerous key posts in Government and is currently the Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Northern Development, Mines and Forestry—a critical portfolio for Northerners and all of Ontario. He is a member of both the Standing Committee on Government Agencies and the Cabinet Committee on Legislation and Regulations.
Respected by all political parties, Mike was elected Speaker of the 38th Parliament by his fellow MPPs. He previously served as Deputy Speaker, as Parliamentary Assistant in the Ministries of Natural Resources and Transportation, as chair of the Cabinet Committee on Education Policy and as a member of numerous legislative committees.
Born in Sarnia, Mike graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in history from the University of Western Ontario and subsequently earned a diploma from Humber College of Applied Arts and Technologies.
Prior to entering provincial politics, Mike managed a small business and worked as a funeral director on Manitoulin Island. He has always been an active member of the community, serving as the Deputy Mayor of Gore Bay and President of the Manitoulin Municipal Association. He was a director of the Gore Bay Curling Club and a President of the Rotary Club of Gore Bay.
Michael Mantha (NDP)
Michael Mantha made his name defending jobs and supporting Northern families.
Before joining the NDP, Michael worked with the United Steelworkers and helped displaced workers access necessary social services and training. He works with MP Carol Hughes as a constituency assistant based in Elliot Lake, focussed on resolving issues for constituents and improving life in his community.
Michael believes that the people of Algoma Manitoulin deserve leadership they can be proud of and a government they can trust to represent their hopes for the future.
He lives in Elliot Lake with his wife Pauline and their two children.
Joe Chapman (PC)
Joe’s family has lived on Manitoulin Island for 8 generations. He and his wife Tracey, an elementary school principal, live in Little Current with their 2 daughters Maggie and Kate.
Joe is concerned for the seniors in Algoma Manitoulin who are finding it harder to make ends meet. They need an effective voice at Queen’s Park ensuring northerners have equal access to quality health care, affordable energy and aren’t constantly burdened with new taxes.
As both a lawyer and mayor in Algoma Manitoulin, Joe has considerable experience advocating for the best interests of his community. During his terms as mayor of the Town of Northeastern Manitoulin and the Islands, Joe proved it is possible for governments to maintain and improve services and lower taxes by eliminating wasteful spending.
Joe wants to take his experience to Queen’s Park to stop the McGuinty government’s reckless spending and record-breaking tax increases. With Tim Hudak and the Ontario PC team, Joe will help give Northern Ontario families the respect that they deserve and the relief that they need.
ORGANIZER
About Natalie Labbee
Manitouwadge resident Natalie Labbee is an active volunteer who serves her community in many ways. As Chair of Night on the Town Enteratinment Series in Manitouwadge, Labbee organizes and promotes each of the 1/2 dozen concerts in the series, coordinates accomodations and a welcome/thank you supper for the performers and their crews, and attends a number of conferences related to choosing talent for the Series and ongoing management of it. Labbee was among the volunteers who spearheaded the “Manitouwadge for Hockeyville” initiative this past winter during which many seperate community events which motivated residents to unite in the cheerleading and promotion of their town. “Manitouwadge for Hockeyville” was credited in the press and by community leaders and residents with having revived community spirit in Manitouwadge. She was responsible for coordinating last Halloween’ s “Trick or Eat” food drive in Manitouwadge which collected non-perishables and cash donations for the Neighbour to Neighbour Food Bank. In 2010 Labbee was elected as one of 3 new members of council who campaigned on change and transparency and continues working diligently in this role to fufill these campaign promises. Through her volunteerism, Labbee has built a solid relationship with local & regional media allowing her to reach out to them for community events, like Candidates Night, knowing they will be glad to assist.
