TIMMINS - As Charlie Angus steps down after two decades, the stage is set for a new political chapter in his Northern Ontario riding.
Two people are vying for the federal NDP nomination for the new riding of Kapuskasing-Timmins-Mushkegowuk.
Nicole Fortier-Levesque and Terry Metatawabin are the names on the ballot for the nomination meeting on Nov. 23.
Fortier-Levesque is from Moonbeam, where she has deep roots in both education and municipal politics.
A retired French language teacher, Fortier-Levesque spent over three decades shaping young minds before stepping into the political arena.
She served as a Moonbeam from 2014-18 and then as mayor from 2018-22.
“I need a new challenge,” Fortier-Levesque said.
“It’s good timing based on where I am in my life right now. My priorities are extensive, but at the core, I believe all Canadians deserve a better life.”
Fortier-Levesque believes in defending the interests of the middle class and the less fortunate.
If elected, she said her priorities include improving healthcare, economic equality, affordable housing, Indigenous rights and environmental protection.
“Northern Ontario seems to be forgotten because we are far and the population is not as big as the big cities,” Fortier-Levesque said.
She is emphasizing the need for accessible healthcare, advocating for better mental health services and a goal of combating the opioid crisis.
With a focus on reducing living costs, Fortier-Levesque wants to implement measures to control grocery and rental prices while also pushing for job creation.
“We can’t let companies charge unlimited amounts for groceries and rent. It’s unacceptable,” she said.
Recognizing the challenges First Nations face, she stressed the importance of access to clean water, quality education and healthcare for Indigenous communities.
“They need accessibility to all the services that are essential to all Canadians,” Fortier-Levesque said.
Fortier-Levesque is also passionate about tackling environmental challenges.
“In Northern Ontario, we've had too many wildfires burning, and we need to start doing something about it,” she said.
Currently the deputy chief of Fort Albany First Nation, Metatawabin was raised in the remote First Nation on the James Bay coast.
He completed up to Grade 8 there before attending high school in North Bay. He later studied civil engineering at Lakehead University and spent a decade in Calgary working in the resource sector.
Metatawabin said his candidacy is motivated by a desire to bridge gaps between communities and address critical issues affecting the region.
His top priorities include mental wellness, the opioid crisis, healthcare access, affordable housing and economic development.
Recognizing the mental health crisis, especially within First Nations, Metatawabin wants to improve mental health resources and support systems.
With plans for the largest Indigenous hospital in Northern Ontario, Metatawabin is focused on improving healthcare access and reducing treatment delays.
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Metatawabin acknowledges the pressing need for affordable housing and aims to tackle homelessness and housing insecurity.
Leveraging his background in governance and economic development, Metatawabin is keen to create jobs and training opportunities for local residents.
Metatawabin said a significant influence in his life was his grandfather who raised him.
“My grandfather taught me the importance of education and community service,” he said. “He was a chief and a trapper and his life lessons have shaped who I am today.”
Metatawabin recalls a pivotal moment when he accompanied his grandfather to Rideau Hall when he received the Order of Canada.
“Sitting there with him opened my eyes to the responsibilities we have to our people. He always emphasized that it’s not about your name, it’s about elevating your community,” Metatawabin said.
Looking ahead
First elected in 2001, Angus announced in April that he was not running again.
The Conservative Party of Canada (CPC) got an early start on naming its candidate. Retired forestry executive Gaétan Malette was named the local candidate in October 2023.
RELATED: Malette running for Conservatives
The last federal election was in October 2021 and saw Prime Minister Justin Trudeau win a minority government. The Liberals were being bolstered by the NDPs, but that support was recently pulled. The latest the next election will be is October 2025, but one could be called any time before then.
When local residents head to the polls in the next federal election, it will be the first time a Member of Parliament is elected in the new riding of Kapuskasing-Timmins-Mushkegowuk. It starts in the Kirkland Lake area, capturing communities along Highway 11 North and extends up to Peawanuck. It has a population of 93,948.
Fortier-Levesque's Facebook page can be found here. Metatawabin's can be found here.
