KENORA — A longtime Conservative politician is taking another run at elected office while representing a Kenora-area riding.
Greg Rickford was acclaimed to run in the Kenora-Rainy River riding for the Progressive Conservatives in late January. Prior to the election call, he had been a cabinet minister in Doug Ford-led governments since the provincial PCs came to power in 2018, most recently serving as Ford’s Ministers of Northern Development and Indigenous Affairs and First Nations Economic Reconciliation.
Rickford was not made available for an interview with Newswatch. But in a press release issued when the PCs acclaimed him to run in the riding, he was quoted as saying that "serving Kenora–Rainy River is a privilege and an honour.”
“Our region has unique and incredible opportunities, and I’m proud of the work we’ve done to deliver real results — whether it’s bringing life-saving health care closer to home, advancing resource development, or investing in critical infrastructure,” he continued. “There’s more to accomplish, and I’m eager to keep fighting for the people and communities that make Northwestern Ontario so special."
Born in Paris, Ont., Rickford and his family currently live in Keewatin, according to his website, and he has a long history of working in northern Ontario, including as a nurse in a number of northern First Nations, and as a business owner, where he was a strategic advisor in the resource sector.
Rickford was first elected to office as a federal MP during the 2008 election, serving three terms before being defeated in the 2015 federal election — longtime, and then-returning Liberal Bob Nault would take the Kenora riding. During his term on Parliament Hill, he served in then-Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s cabinet as Minister of Natural Resources and the minister responsible for FedNor. He also held a number of parliamentary secretary roles.
After the 2015 federal election, Rickford turned his attention to provincial politics, winning the Kenora-Rainy River riding in 2018. He again won in 2022 — this time handily — garnering over 59 per cent of the vote, compared to his closest competitor at just under 20 per cent.
When running in 2022, he said that, among his priorities, were building up the Ontario economy, backing workers, building highways and other key infrastructure, and keeping costs down.
“Greg is proud to represent the constituents of Kenora-Rainy River and brings a strong, experienced voice intent on delivering results for Northwestern Ontario and beyond,” reads his bio on his website.
Rickford is running against Anthony Leek for the Liberals, Rudy Turtle for the NDP, the Green Party’s John Redins, and Randy Ricci of the New Blue Party.
