Michael Gravelle is the only MPP Thunder Bay-Superior North has ever known.
First elected to the former Port Arthur riding in 1995, the Liberal candidate has had a stranglehold on Thunder Bay-Superior North since the electoral map was redrawn prior to the 1999 vote.
His 19 years of public service has taught the former parliamentary assistant and publicist the value in working directly with members of the community.
“I knew the most important aspect of any elected official is helping constituents on individual matters and it means a great deal to them,” Gravelle said. “I have never forgotten that my job is to represent my constituents.”
Despite such a lengthy career, Gravelle, who has served two terms as Minister of Northern Development and Mines with a stint as Minister of Natural Resources in between, insists he is as energized and focused as ever.
A battle with cancer has given the 65-year-old a new perspective as he returns to the campaign trail.
“When I first got diagnosed I think I thought this might be the end of my run at politics,” he said. “When I got through the treatments and began to feel substantially better I got a greater sense of how much this job means to me.”
Gravelle views work done on northern highways as one of his most significant accomplishments. Not only do the projects improve safety, they create local jobs.
He has become one of the figures most closely associated with the Ring of Fire mining project, a development he believes is critical to the future of the entire province.
Gravelle regards health policy was one of the defining issues of this campaign and says he is eager to continue to work to improve quality of care and service locally.
