Ignatieff hosts town-hall meeting in Kenora

Liberal Leader encourages northwest residents to persist with plans to rebuild the regional economy

Posted By Mike Aiken

Posted 2 months ago

Liberal leader Michael Ignatieff brings his tough love approach to politics to Kenora Thursday. Mike Aiken for the Enterprise

Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff was in Kenora again last week, where he offered to listen to local concerns. In his fourth visit within three years, he encouraged residents to persist with their plans to rebuild the regional economy.

In recognition of the party's standing both nationally and within the riding, there was no charge for the event and most of the evening was spent taking questions from the floor.

Still, the Leader of the Opposition was allowed to make a few opening comments. He used the opportunity to praise the city for its recovery plan and he encouraged the local audience to continue pushing forward with their transition.

Turning the regional economy around will mean a commitment to lifelong learning and skills development, he said, noting the need to lower energy and labour costs.

He emphasized the key to the new realities of a global marketplace meant the development of value-added products.

"When we do, we do it very well," Ignatieff said.

He cited the examples of resource towns in New Brunswick and B.C., where residents are trying to restructure.

"Kenora, you're not alone," he emphasized.

He gave the example of the plan created by the Lake of the Woods Economic Development Commission, which focused on the beauty of the surroundings and the central location at the Crossroads of the Continent.

Elder Peter Kinew, who spoke openly about his long ties with the Liberal party, stressed the importance of a working relationship between First Nations and their neighbours. He offered the example of New Mexico, where there's a close relationship between aboriginal and non-aboriginal residents.

"This is something that needs to happen here," he said.

Kinew, who is also known by Peter Kelly, added it was important for First Nations people to learn how to be entrepreneurs.

In response to a question on health care, Ignatieff said investments in proper diet, exercise and disease prevention will help governments get away from their spending on hospitals and chronic care.

He categorically denounced the selling of bulk water, and called for the end of Canada's military mission in Afghanistan in 2011. The country's role may shift to a development focus at that time, such as building schools, but not troops, he said.

In response to a question about undesirable immigrants who were bringing violence to Canada, Ignatieff stood firm, saying his father was an immigrant as well, who faced a lot of prejudice. What was important was that his father respected the laws and customs of the country, while helping to build it with his bare hands.

The Opposition Leader closed by praising the efforts of local candidate Roger Valley, who will face a battle in his bid to regain the seat from the governing Conservatives and incumbent MP Greg Rickford.