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Pullia brings Northwestern Ontario vision to election race

Three-time former city councillor looking to win Thunder Bay-Superior North for the Conservatives for the first time in decades.
Frank Pullia 2

THUNDER BAY - Conservatives haven’t fared well in Thunder Bay-Superior North over the years, but Frank Pullia believes he’s the candidate who will change the narrative once and for all.

The 64-year-old former three-time city councillor, who last year was unsuccessful in his fifth attempt at Thunder Bay’s mayor’s chair, says he decided to run federally in 2019 because he believes his party is the only one capable of turning things around in Northwestern Ontario.

Pullia said for too long the region has been ignored. It won’t happen under an Andrew Scheer Conservative government.

“I have a vision to make our region one of the best regions in North America. We have a huge potential that hasn’t been realized and we have the foundation to do that,” Pullia said. “The Ring of Fire, we have high-speed access, we can connect to anywhere in the world and create jobs, growth and prosperity.”

“With my experience, at the municipal level, I can bring that in-depth knowledge of the issues and collaborate with the mayors and councils and First Nations communities and bring Parliament to our region – not the other way around.”

Like most conservatives, jobs and the economy are top of mind when it comes to the issues Pullia wants to tackle.

He said he wants to find ways to keep the area’s youth from out-migrating to other areas of the province and country.

It won’t be easy, but it can be done.

“We need to revitalize our entrepreneurship spirit. And unfortunately the Trudeau Liberals, after attacking the small business community, that creates 80 per cent of our jobs, it’s not a good thing,” said Pullia, a business consultant by trade, who touted housing affordability and a ready, willing and able workforce as Northwestern Ontario’s biggest selling points.

“I’m hearing that when I’m knocking on the doors of small businesses. They feel alienated. They don’t feel that the risk that they’re taking is getting the support of the government.”

Pullia said his work in the region and on council gives him the experience needed to succeed in the House of Commons.

“I’ve worked in the companies, in the industries that form the backbone of our economy. I can sit at the table, both at the local level and in Ottawa, representing our interests and not just being a voice, but being a champion,” Pullia said.

“Like I said to the mayors and councils, they don’t have to come find where I am as our member of Parliament for our region. I’ll be here for you, we’ll be sitting at the table together creating a positive vision for the region.”

Pullia said he’s proud of the Conservative’s approach to climate change and said unlike the Liberals, a Scheer government would be able to work with the province and Premier Doug Ford.

“Alienating the province is not going to help the future government to move forward,” he said.

Pullia also said the Conservatives would do more for Indigenous people than the Liberals, saying the country can’t move forward unless everyone moves forward together, adding he’s already worked with First Nations to ensure safe drinking water in their communities.

TBNewswatch.com has profiled all 11 candidates running for office in Thunder Bay-Superior North and Thunder Bay-Rainy River. All the profiles can be found in our election section, Canada Votes. 



Leith Dunick

About the Author: Leith Dunick

A proud Nova Scotian who has called Thunder Bay home since 2002, Leith is Dougall Media's director of news, but still likes to tell your stories too. Wants his Expos back and to see Neil Young at least one more time. Twitter: @LeithDunick
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