One of the constants of the political landscape in the north has been New Democrat Carol Hughes. She’s campaigning for her fourth term as the MP for Algoma-Manitoulin-Kapuskasing. Hughes points to lack of broadband internet service in rural areas and the continued economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic as key campaign issues in the north.
“We need to certainly help employers during this difficult time in upgrading their offices or their businesses to make sure that they have the proper protection in place as people return to work,” she said.
Hughes says more needs to be done to encourage international workers to come to Canada and help with shortages of skilled labourers and employees.
Hughes notes her party wasn’t happy with Justin Trudeau’s decision to call the September 20th election, and adds that the campaign atmosphere will feel much different this time around.
“People are making calls from home rather than coming into the campaign offices,” she said. “So the campaign office itself won’t have the same that buzz that it used to have with dozens or 20 or hundreds of people that would come in in that day.”
Hughes says her team is campaigning safely by wearing masks and stepping away from doors while talking to voters.
Other candidates vying for the seat in the Algoma-Manitoulin-Kapuskasing include John Sagman of the Conservatives, Duke Peltier (PELT-tya) of the Liberals and Stephen Zimmerman from the Green Party. Election Day is Monday, Sept. 20.
Carol Hughes NDP Full Interview:
