Profile: Kyle passionate about change

Scot Kyle has thrown his hat into another political race.

The 53-year-old teacher turned carpenter ran as the Green party candidate in the spring federal election and will run again as the candidate for Thunder Bay – Superior North in the upcoming provincial election.

“I’m running because I’m a local boy,” Kyle said. “I’ve lived my whole life up here in Thunder Bay and I just feel passionate about the need for some changes in the way that we run our economy in the north and the accessibility to politicians. I think we need politicians that are from Thunder Bay and very committed to our future.”

Despite the fourth place finish in the federal election, Kyle said people were pleased that he didn’t let the loss keep him down and continued to be a political figure.

“I’ve been told that people are very encouraged that I am running again and that I just didn’t disappear after the federal election,” he said.

“I’ve been told that’s probably my single most important aspect that I have thrown my hat in the ring again. I’ve been knocking on a few more doors this time and meeting people in small business contexts.”

Kyle was born and raised in Thunder Bay. He grew up in Current River and attended Lakeview High School, which is now known as St. Ignatius High School. He received a BA at Lakehead University and then achieved his Honours BA at Queen’s University; he followed that up with his professional teaching year at Western University.

Kyle, now a proud grandfather, returned to Thunder Bay with his wife of 30 years to raise their three children, who all now have their own degrees from Lakehead University.

The Green Party candidate said he believes the top issue for this campaign is job creation.

People have become more environmentally conscience and have started to become more open to renewable sources of energy.

Kyle said his party is not only looking to make greener jobs, but is focused on making those jobs more sustainable.

“There’s some controversial issues around things like wind turbines,” he said. “They sometimes aren’t as green as we think but it is good to open dialogue in a local basis about that particular issue. The key issue in most people’s minds is always jobs.

“The Green Party perspective is trying to make these jobs much longer sustaining that project into the future and is geared to a green economy.”

While the Green Party focuses on the environment, Kyle said they aren’t a single-issue party.

“We aren’t a one trick pony,” he said.

“I clarify that we aren’t a single-issue party and talk about how it is not just about the ecology and the environment, although that is a foundational part of our philosophy. It is also about reengineering and retooling our economy and our infrastructure in a way that is stainable, renewable and benefits local communities.”