Seeking office

Harold Wilson is gearing up for a political battle.

The former president of the Thunder Bay Chamber of Commerce announced Friday he would be seeking the Progressive Conservative nomination for Thunder Bay – Atikokan, which would have him challenging Liberal incumbent Bill Mauro.

Wilson said he’s done a lot as the president of the city’s Chamber of Commerce and wants to take things to the next level.

“I felt that it was important before I pursue this that I resign as president,” he said.

“A friend of mine said that after 25 years of working in economic development, I’ve been doing the same job all the time just different people or employers.

“This really is an extension of that. This is all about maximizing the economic opportunities in Northwestern Ontario.”

The 51-year-old said it was family decision to make the move to provincial politics. He described the move as daunting because there’s no guarantee when an election will be called.

Wilson believes there’s many opportunities in the North that simply aren’t coming together. The expected mining boom has been a hot topic for many in the region but Wilson said more needs to be done to ensure projects are followed through to their completion.

Simply making announcements isn’t enough, he said.

Making the choice to run for the PCs didn’t come easily for the father of three girls. He said he felt more comfortable with the PC party.

But he said the PCs sometimes come up short on their promises and that’s why he wants to join them in order have them follow through.

“You can’t do half measures and I think that’s where we have been hurt in Northwestern Ontario,” he said. “As I said there’s a great announcement then it isn’t move forward. I have been a fighter for a very long time and no matter who I’m working with I will fight for people in this area.”

Wilson said he remembered a comment mayor Keith Hobbs made a few months back about why the North has to fight for everything all the time. He believes people need to work more with the North in order to make things happen.

The PC nomination meeting is scheduled for Saturday at the Valhalla Inn.