Mantis wins, becomes NDP's Thunder Bay - Superior North candidate

Steve Mantis wants everyone to work together to make Northwestern Ontario a better place.

That was his message after winning the Thunder Bay-Superior North provincial NDP nomination Thursday night. Mantis, who beat 33-year-old Jay Stapleton, said he was thrilled and very touched to win.

"We have a beautiful city and a beautiful countryside and the people are strong and have a vision and I want to be part of that. I want to be part of creating a society that we want to create for our kids and our grandkids," Mantis said in a packed Dawson Room, which included NDP provincial leader Andrea Horwath, at the Prince Arthur Hotel.

One way to do that is to get people with different points of view to sit down and talk about the issues that are important to them. Mantis said instead of debate, people need to talk to and respect each other to come up with solutions.

"It’s not about who can yell the loudest or be the first one in. It’s about creating a space," Mantis said.

Being a citizen has its benefits but it’s also about responsibilities he added.

"To be aware of your surroundings to think critically to participate share your point of view and continually evaluate whether then sitting back and waiting for someone to do it we need to all step up to the plate," said Mantis.

But in talking to people so far Mantis, the secretary-treasurer of the Thunder Bay and District Injured Workers Support Group, said they want a change in government. While he works closely with incumbent Liberal Michael Gravelle and respects him, Mantis said the public has had enough of a McGuinty government.

"A lot of people I talk to are pretty tired of the Liberal government and I think Michael may actually feel the wrath of the citizens as a result," Mantis said.

Regardless of who wins, which includes Progressive Conservative candidate Anthony LeBlanc and the Green’s Scot Kyle, Mantis said he wants to see discussion.

"I don’t know what my chances are but I know that if we’re able to engage with more an more people we’re going to create a better community regardless of what the election says," said Mantis.