Michael Gravelle Acclaimed as Liberal Candidate in Thunder Bay-Superior North
Michael Gravelle celebrates with Premier Kathleen Wynne after being acclaimed as Liberal Candidate in Thunder Bay-Superior North. supplied photo
From: Thunder Bay-Superior North Provincial Liberal Riding Association
Premier Kathleen Wynne in Thunder Bay to show her strong support
THUNDER BAY, ON – Local MPP and Provincial Cabinet Minister Michael Gravelle was nominated for the sixth consecutive time by the Thunder Bay–Superior North Provincial Liberal Riding Association to be the official Ontario Liberal Party candidate in the next provincial election. He accepted the nomination tonight before a crowd of more than 250 people at the Italian Cultural Centre in Thunder Bay and was acclaimed.
“It is an honour to once again represent the Ontario Liberal party in Thunder Bay-Superior North as we work to continue to build on the positive success we have achieved in our community,” said Gravelle. “To have the Premier and leader of our party here in Thunder Bay for my nomination is incredibly special, and shows Kathleen Wynne’s strong continuing support for the North.”
Premier Wynne attended the event along with the Honourable Charles Sousa, Minister of Finance. Thunder Bay-Atikokan MPP Bill Mauro, was also in attendance.
Wynne praised Gravelle’s strong and effective advocacy for this region. “I’m so pleased Michael is once again carrying the flag for our party. Michael Gravelle’s heart is always in the North. He’s a champion for jobs, growth and the unique needs of Thunder Bay-Superior North – and our province is stronger for having him as an MPP,” she stated.
“I am very pleased to be here today supporting my good friend Michael Gravelle. He is always focused on representing his constituents at Queen’s Park. Michael is an extremely strong advocate for his communities who achieves positive results,” added Minister Sousa.
In his acceptance speech, Gravelle acknowledged that it’s been a year unlike any other, as he recently finished eight months of chemotherapy and radiation to treat an aggressive form of lymphoma, which was diagnosed last November. “The decision to run again, as many of you may know, was not a foregone conclusion less than a year ago. But I am, and always will be, a fighter,” he said.
“For the past 18 years, I’ve fought for our region, advocating for local projects such as the Nipigon River Bridge, the four-laning of Highway 11/17 between Thunder Bay and Nipigon and the new Law School at Lakehead University. Since 2003, our Liberal government has invested more than $460 million in Thunder Bay-Superior North’s highway infrastructure, substantially increased the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund and created literally thousands of jobs, and increased funding to Northern Ontario school boards by $367M. Premier Wynne’s demonstrated commitment to the North will ensure we stay on the right track,” Gravelle remarked.
Gravelle was first elected to the Ontario Legislature in 1995 as the MPP for the Port Arthur riding. He was re-elected as the first Member of Provincial Parliament for the new Thunder Bay–Superior North riding in June 1999. Gravelle was appointed Minister of Northern Development and Mines in February 2013. He has served as the Minister of Natural Resources, Minister of Northern Development, Mines and Forestry, Government Caucus Chair and as a member of the Priorities and Planning Board.
Gravelle has long been a dedicated community member, with an accomplished political and public service record. He is a co-founder of the North of Superior Film Association and has served on the boards of the Magnus Theatre Company and the AIDS Committee of Thunder Bay.
