The little gal from Bonfield

Susan Church and Bernie Church share a mother-daughter moment after the former North Bay city councilor officially launched her candidacy for the Nipissing-Timiskaming federal Liberal nomination.
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The little guy from Shawinigan didn’t do too badly, and now Susan Church hopes the little gal from Bonfield will get her shot.

Church officially launched her run for the Nipissing-Timiskaming federal Liberal nomination Saturday at the Clarion Resort-Pinewood Park.

While it's been known for months Church is running, she had, until Saturday, never given a formal news conference to announce it.

Freedom to fly
The former North Bay city councilor began by alluding to her childhood days in Bonfield.

Pointing to her parents Harold and Bernie, Church said they allowed the freedom “to fly.”

“And fly I did,” Church said.

“Without their patience and gentle guidance, I would never be standing here today.”

Leaders in the twenty-first century
Church said it was time “for a new type of politics” in Ottawa, adding there were “new issues” too.

If she ultimately becomes the Nipissing MP, Church intends to make Nipissing-Timiskaming a leader in setting out the priorities of the Kyoto Accord.

“Let’s capitalize on the development of green energy to position our district to be leaders in the twenty-first century,” Church said.

“Within our riding we have the expertise, we have the infrastructure and natural resources to benefit from this initiative.”

Come to the table
As well, if elected, Church said she will push the government to revisit a 2002 standing committee report entitled For the Sake of the Children.

“The report states that all children of divorce need both parents in their lives,” Church said.

“I will push my government to ensure that the recommendations, that have lost priority, would see the best interests of the children protected from the confrontational nature of matrimonial proceedings in the courts.”

Another area the federal government must involve itself in and provide funding for, Church said, is municipal infrastructure.

“The federal government must come to the table with help to restore the crumbling infrastructure of our roads, streets, water and sewer systems,” Church said.

“I know this is important to you. It’s important to me. I can assure you your voice will be heard.”

Needed in the North
Health care is another matter important to Church, she said.

“Like you, I believe that we have to fight to ensure our right to health care is second to none,” Church said.

“We need to find ways to enable the many new Canadians who are professional health care providers to work in their fields to fill the shortages of specialists that are so needed in the North.”

No illusions of grandeur
Church said she has no “illusions of grandeur” about becoming the riding’s MP.

“As the MP, my job is to listen to the needs of the people I will serve and then work together to find solutions,” Church said.

She ended her speech by drawing a parallel between herself and former Prime Minister Jean Chretien.

“There used to be a man known as the little guy from Shawinigan,” Church said.

“Ladies and gentlemen, I am the little gal from Bonfield, and I thank your support.”