THUNDER BAY -- Both Thunder Bay ridings made history in the same election Monday night.
Thunder Bay-Superior North elected its first ever female MP with Liberal Patty Hajdu while Thunder Bay-rainy River elected its first First Nations MP in Liberal Don Rusnak.
Hajdu said it's somewhat shocking that she's the first female MP in the riding but it's a big deal for her and a party that's looking to highlight women's issues and bring gender parity to its cabinet. Hajdu hopes to inspire young women that may not have seen politics as an option before.
"I think it's a thing to celebrate. I think once you break through that wall you inspire other women to step up," she said.
For Rusnak, it is what it is. Joining an historic wave of 10 First Nations MPs heading to the House of Commons is important but it shouldn't be the focus.
"I think it's amazing I'm the first Aboriginal candidate in the riding but ultimately we work for everyone so I have to focus on everyone in the riding. For Aboriginal people and Non-Aboriginal people the problems here are jobs and high taxes so we're going to work on that for them."
