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City councillor aiming to be our next MP

'This District needs to be run more like a business and needs a strong experienced voice at the Federal table'
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Mark King

One of the worst kept secrets in the city is out.

Veteran councillor Mark King announced this afternoon that he will try to become the Conservative Party of Canada candidate for Nipissing-Temiskaming in this fall's federal election.

“Leadership, experience and determination matters,” says King,

“This District needs to be run more like a business and needs a strong experienced voice at the Federal table," King says in a news release. “We need jobs to build strong leadership and community partnerships to make the Nipissing -Temiskaming district the best it can be.”    

King points to the operation of the District of Nipissing Social Services Administration Board (DNSSAB), which he chairs, as an example.

"DNSSAB reduced structural welfare in Nipissing by 6.5 per cent last year in a poor labour market," says King. "Training and partnerships with the Chamber of Commerce and Canadore College proved very successful in helping get people back to work. It was the biggest success story of its kind in the entire North. However, we need direct Federal investment to get more people back to work.

"Politicians can't create jobs. But one of our most important roles as Federal MP should be to identify the expertise available in our community and to work with partners on strategies that can grow our local economy and create more employment opportunities. I also want to redirect Federal jobs to this region.” 

King also believes that taxpayers must ensure that senior levels of government are focused on correcting the problems they have created with the addiction and mental health crisis.

“In the recent Throne Speech, the provincial government announced $3.8 billion for Ontario’s mental health and addiction crisis and I am going to ensure that the Federal government provides co-ordinated funding.” King says, “The current system is fragmented and lacks Federal leadership with too many services struggling against each other. Our communities need a 24/7 single window solution to address the community mental health and addiction crisis immediately.”

King includes seniors in his platform saying they are facing many serious challenges to remaining here. 

"Federal funding for affordable housing is one of these many challenges. I want to fight for better health care, more community support and more affordable housing for seniors.”

King is Vice-Chair of Cassellholme and supports the rebuilding of the long-term care facilities.

“We should have the largest senior’s long-term care facility in the region,” King said. “Let’s make sure we get a federally funded share of the new long-term care spaces being promised,” he added.     

King questions the number of federal resources provided to northern Ontario communities.  "We need to prioritize Federal resources in communities that are struggling.

"For example, it is commonly recognized that the core of Toronto is expensive and no longer the ideal location for government jobs. The district needs targeted campaigns in Toronto to encourage government agencies and departments to relocate to the North, and this region is perfectly situated.”

King is the second announced candidate, joining Jordy Carr, a small business owner, and Callander councillor.

Present MP Anthony Rota has already secured the Liberal nomination.

The election takes place October 21.


Jeff Turl

About the Author: Jeff Turl

Jeff is a veteran of the news biz. He's spent a lengthy career in TV, radio, print and online, covering both news and sports. He enjoys free time riding motorcycles and spoiling grandchildren.
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