Businessman Ted Hargreaves speaks to Monique Smith’s record while nominating her to run again provincially under the Liberal banner.
Reflecting on her record in office, Nipissing Liberals showered Monique Smith with praise Thursday as they nominated the MPP to stand as their candidate in the fall Provincial election.
Nancy Kilgour, President of the Nipissing Provincial Liberal Association reiterated statements made earlier this week saying that Smith has delivered results for all of Nipissing since being elected in 2003.
“She is a feisty young woman,” she states.
“And I agree she has been the most effective MPP in the riding of Nipissing.”
Area politicians including Barb Groves of Chisholm, Mattawa Councillor Garry Thibert and North Bay Councillor Maureen Boldt all supported Kilgour’s statement.
“I have everything to be cheering about today,” states Groves as she outlined the millions of dollars her area received from the province for road and bridge upgrades.
Boldt spoke about delivering on the ONTC, jobs developed in the city and the working relationship she has enjoyed with Smith in her position as chair of the DSSAB.
“Our board works very well with this government and has been effective.”
“It’s all good stuff, it’s all about relationships.”
Thibert called Smith the champion for the eastern part of the riding noting Smith’s help with disaster relief following last summer’s storm, as well as the $45-million the town has received in investments.
“To deliver two hospitals in the riding is a miracle,” he states.
“When I think of effectiveness I see Monique’s picture every time.”
Ted Hargreaves, who nominated Smith, detailed the committee positions she held while representing the riding and told the crowd that Smith kept promises and delivered results.
“When you look at the list you realise how hard she has worked on our behalf,” he states.
“She worked for 224 new medical procedures at the hospital. And she has delivered funding for a new CAT Scan.”
Member after member sang Smith’s praises as they seconded the nomination including Robb Roy, Lana Mitchell, and Alain Perron.
“I’m a privileged member of the caring community … and Monique cares,” says Dr. Joseph Madden as he seconds the nomination.
“I whole heatedly support you.”
Hearing the accolades Smith accepted the nomination, but is cognisant of the battle ahead.
She says the direction she will take in the campaign is reminding constituents were they were and the changes made under her record.
“I think it’s a good reminder for people of how far we’ve come in four years. we’ve delivered a lot across the province we’ve improved services in healthcare, education, certainly in infrastructure and I think we have to remind people of where we were and where we are now.”
“I intend to focus in on the results that we delivered obviously for the riding for the last four years,” she tells reporters.
“We’ve had incredible results, two hospitals, we know the four laning of the highway is moving forward, we’ve got the Childrens Treatment Centre and OPP communication centre, investments in Canadore and Nipissing, I want to continue to grow all of those investments.”
Smith says it is not enough to talk about the achievements, she must also move forward and campaign on what the future plans are if re-elected.
“I want to continue to build on the success that we’ve already had here in Nipissing. I think there are a great number of accomplishments that we’ve managed to create in the last three years including the two hospitals,” she says.
“I really want to start to focus more on economic development, we’ve done some great strides there, but certainly we want to see some more jobs attracted to the north and look at different ways of how to do that.”
