THUNDER BAY -- When Michael Gravelle received his cancer diagnosis, he says he thought it was the end of his political career.
But the MPP for Thunder Bay – Superior North has decided to keep fighting on both fronts, even if an election were called.
“I’ve gone through an interesting process,” Gravelle said. “When I first heard the news I thought ‘that’s it Michael, you’re done.’ It’s given me a chance to reflect on what I want to do and I discovered something very important – I love what I am doing. I feel rejuvenated.”
Gravelle broke the news in November that he had an aggressive form of lymphoma, a potentially deadly form of cancer. He promised to continue his work as an MPP and as Minister of Natural Resources while undergoing treatment.
Having completed a few rounds of chemotherapy treatments, Gravelle said his number one priority right now is his health, but that doesn’t mean he will back down if there’s an election called.
Gravelle admits he had doubts over the holidays on whether he would run again. But the long-serving MPP said he has lots to accomplish still, including an old and ongoing goal of four-laning the highway between Thunder Bay and Nipigon.
“I recognize that I have to be careful as I go through these treatments but I continue to feel extremely committed towards my constituents,” he said.
“We don’t know when the election is going to be exactly. I know we expect it to be relatively soon. I would like to seek re-election. I want to continue to fight for my constituents.”
Words of encouragement and well wishes have poured in since Gravelle’s announcement, which he said he’s very grateful for.
If an election is called, the Ontario Liberal party will have a new leader taking charge.
Premier Dalton McGuinty announced he would be stepping down in October. Soon after that announcement, the race for his successor started with candidates each vying for the party's top job.
The party will vote for their new leader on Jan. 27.
Gravelle, who publicly endorsed candidate Sandra Pupatello, said it’s exciting that there will be a new leader and added that he will work alongside whomever is chosen.
“There’s no question that we have a series of great challenges,” he said. “There’s no question that our government is under a significant amount of attack. I personally believe that we are still the party that can best get people through these challenging times."
