Meet the Candidates: Brian McKinnon

It’s time for city council to address the needs of the younger generation, says Brian McKinnon.

The Red River Ward incumbent is looking to secure a third term on council on Oct. 27 and says projects like the event centre are exactly what the city needs to retain its youth.

McKinnon, a married father of two and retired high school principal, says he’s always been in favour of the proposed event centre and he believes now is the right time.

“It’s not really going to affect me as far as ultimate use,” he said. “I’m of a generation that I’ve had all this stuff up to this point in Thunder Bay … now it’s time for us to address the needs of the younger generation.”

“They need something to stay in Thunder Bay, some incentive to stay. If it’s a thing like the event centre because suddenly we have top quality acts or good hockey if you’re a hockey fan or basketball or whatever the case may be, something that may make a younger person say, ‘this town has got everything I need,’” he added.

McKinnon is a lifelong Thunder Bay resident and has a good life and he wants to give back to the city.

“I love Thunder Bay and I want to see it flourish,” he said. “I want to see this as a jewel of the north. I’m working hard to ensure that happens.”

McKinnon is seeking another term on council because he has work left to do and wants to continue working on the various committees he sits on, including the Community Economic Development Committee.

“We’re going hither and yon trying to find some industries or companies that will settle in town,” he said, adding the hotel chains recently arriving in the city is a good sign.

“When you have three major hotel chains setting up shop in Thunder Bay, something’s happening. It’s unfolding, I think, pretty positively.”

Despite some outspoken naysayers, McKinnon said the city is doing well financially with a good debt to savings ratio.

“It’s as good as any city in Ontario just about. Our credit rating continues to get more positive. These kinds of things are saying we’re doing something right.”