Visit not political, MP says during local stop

A Conservative MP says his visit of Thunder Bay’s waterfront was about showcasing its progress and not politics.

MP Greg Rickford (Con., Kenora) was at Prince Arthur’s Landing Friday afternoon along with city officials. Although national media reports Thursday have opposition members accusing the Conservative government of using Canada’s Economic Action plan to market the Prime Minister’s office, Rickford said the stop was to show the public what’s happening on Thunder Bay’s waterfront.

"It’s wrong," Rickford said. "What we’re doing is showcasing the projects that are taking place across Canada…we just really want to be able to remind folks that these projects are on track."

With talks that the federal Liberals could force an election as early as this spring, Rickford said the Conservatives have made it clear they do not want an election because it could jeopardize projects like the local waterfront development.

Rickford said he can think of two reasons why the Liberals want an election.

"Perhaps they want to get rid of their leader the other one is they want to form a coalition. We’re not interested in either of those options," Rickford said.