THUNDER BAY -- Vince Riccio says a tumbling economy in Ontario northwest is one of the main reasons he’s seeking the federal Liberal nomination in Thunder Bay-Rainy River.
Riccio, who in 2006 sought an at-large seat on Thunder Bay city council, said the Ring of Fire needs to be treated with the respect it deserves, something the Conservative government has not yet done, he said Monday, three days after getting the go-ahead from the Liberal party.
“We think that the Harper Conservatives are treating it like a political football, so we want to work on that file and work with our provincial partners to make sure that happens,” Riccio said.
Health care and the growth of the middle class are the other topics of concern he plans to push for if he ultimately gets the nomination.
“We’re excited to hear some of the ideas that people have and get a new Liberalism happening here in Thunder Bay,” the 30-year-old said.
Riccio was the second candidate to put his name forward, following in the footsteps Fort William First Nation Chief Georjann Morriseau, who joined the race early last week.
He said it’s time for a Liberal return, with Justin Trudeau at the helm
“He’s proven that time and time again he’s going to stand by his convictions. We’ve added almost 300,000 members over the last year to the party,” Riccio said.
“It’s a renewed party. We’re attracting all types of generations and demographics. This is the time, I think, when the rubber hits the road and we’re poised and ready to become government in 2015.
A third candidate, Randy Boyd, is reportedly set to enter the race this week, awaiting party approval at the federal level.
Riccio, a former project manager at the LCBO, said the more the merrier.
“It’s great to have a race because it provides policy, it provides conversation and discourse and it gets people talking about the issues that they’re talking about at the kitchen table. We’re ready to have this race and we’re ready for whatever we’re confronted with.”
The winner of the nomination, a date for which has yet to be set, will take on NDP incumbent John Rafferty and the Conservative candidate Maureen Comuzzi-Stehmann. The Green Party has named a candidate yet, though educator Christy Radbourne is expected to with the Green Party nod later this month.
