Countdown to election: Northern politicians touting party issues

Voting day in Ontariowon't take place until early June, butcandidates in the northeast are already getting prepared.

FranceGelinas, the New DemocraticMPPfor Nickel Belt,ispushing to create a ministry for mental health and addiction.

She has already introduced a private members' bill, and hopes it will pass before the election.

"We need to give mental health and addiction a home. We need to make somebody responsible to build a better mental health and addiction system."

Currently the health issue is divided among 13different provincial ministries, and Gelinas adds that very few of thosecommunicatewith the others.

Gelinashas also put forward private members' bills calling for more hours of care in nursing homes and protection for workers from violence and harassment at work.

'Building a better world'

Sudbury LiberalMPPGlennThibeaultsays he's pleased with what his party has done so far, pointing to universalpharmacarefor youth under the age of 25, investments in the film industry and working to develop the Ring of Fire.

"For me, it's making sure that I'm building a better world for my family. I'm building a better world for the people of Sudbury and bringing the services that we need."

If re-elected,Thibeaultsays he plans to continue that work.

He says topping his list for 2018 prioritiesis getting NEO Kids,northeastern Ontario's hub for specializedchildren'scare, underwayat Health Sciences North in Sudbury.

Thibeaultrefers to his record ofworking hard for his constituents, and says he will continue to earn the trust of the people by working hard for Sudbury.

"I'm in the right party, in the right place at the right time to continue to deliver for Sudbury and for the province."

Hydro hot topic

Opposition parties have been critical of the Liberal's plan for Ontario, especially the handling of the hydro file, which Thibeault says was done with the help of accounting experts.

Progressive Conservative MPPfor Nipissing, Vic Fedeli says his constituents tell him they're not happy with their hydro bills.

"So while there's a short-term reprieve for families to get them through the next election incidentally, hydro rates will go up again," Fedelisays.

So far, the Progressive Conservative party isthe only oneto officially release a platform.Fedeli says he's excited to share those details.

The NDP have released details about plans to make changes to hydro and pharmacare, if elected.