The North Shore Votes
Countdown to the 2025 Ontario election… 27 days
image courtesy Bing maps
It’s still early in this snap provincial election, but Shore Report intends to cover four key races for Lake Huron’s North Shore... Nickel Belt, Sudbury, Algoma—Manitoulin, and Sault Ste Marie. Together, these four ridings represent over 312,000 Ontarians with unique concerns and needs.
We do not yet have a full slate of candidates anywhere in the region, but some contenders were clearly more prepared than others. Queries and questions are out to as many candidates as have made themselves publicly available for comment. We’ll update out coverage, and dig into issues, platforms and personalities as they arise over the coming 27 days.
Nickel Belt
image courtesy Ontario NDP
Incumbent NDP MPP, France Gélinas does not hesitate when asked about the key issues for her constituents. A medical professional before entering public service, Gélinas begins her list with access to health care services.
“Everyone needs access to a primary care (physician or nurse practitioner) preferably as part of a team, and wait times for basic health care are too long.”
Given the primary and emergency care crises plaguing the north, one expects to hear a lot more about health issues in the coming few weeks. Gélinas also notes a related issue.
“Safety on our highways, especially now during the winter, is a big concern, as we depend on them to get to work, to school and to appointments.”
Asked whether the current PC government has served her riding well, Gélinas lets loose.
“The Ford government have failed us in health care, highway safety, education, affordability, the opioid epidemic, four-laning of HWY 69, the list goes on…”
Randy Hazlett — image courtesy Ontario PCs
Randy Hazlett returns as Nickel Belt PC candidate after losing to Gélinas in 2022, but he so far has proven difficult to contact.
Sudbury
Jamie West — image courtesy Ontario NDP
NDP MPP Jamie West holds the Sudbury seat, and faces off against local businessman and first-time candidate Max Massimiliano, who stands for the PCs.
Max Massimiliano — image courtesy Ontario PCs
Queries are out to both candidates, and we’re watching for anyone else entering the race for the North Shore’s largest concentrated population centre.
Algoma—Manitoulin
Dominating early speculation in this huge riding are the intentions of incumbent Michael Mantha. Mantha has served as an Independent MPP since being removed from the NDP caucus in August of 2023 amid allegations of workplace misconduct. At publication, Mantha has not responded to a request for comment on the election, and there is no word from the provincial NDP on their candidate.
Filling the void created by the Mantha controversy, both the Liberals and PCs have nominated candidates expected to be strong contenders for the seat.
Reg Niganobe — image courtesy Ontario Liberals
Reg Niganobe, former Mississauga First Nation Chief (2011-21) and Anishinabek Nation Grand Chief (2021-24) steps up for the Liberals, and brings over fifteen years of public service experience serving North Shore residents. Announced as the Liberal candidate all the way back in November, Niganobe has had time to make his position clear.
“Algoma—Manitoulin has been largely ignored by the current Provincial Government,” he says. “The focus has been squarely on the greater metropolitan area while Algoma—Manitoulin has to close emergency rooms and lose essential health services.”
Bill Rosenberg — image courtesy Town of Thessalon.
And popular Thessalon Mayor, Bill Rosenberg has been nominated by the Ontario PCs. In his second term in the mayor’s chair, Rosenberg is widely credited with revitalizing and beautifying a town previously in decline.
With these two highly qualified candidates alone, we’re looking at a heavyweight contest for the largest riding in the region.
Sault Ste Marie
Early drama for Sault voters sees incumbent MPP Ross Romano stepping back from provincial politics to spend more time with his family, and his replacement as candidate named by the Premier instead of being chosen through a standard nominations race.
Chris Scott — image courtesy Ontario PCs
Longtime party worker Chris Scott will try to hold the seat, and currently no other candidates have declared.