Reg Niganobe Ontario Liberal candidate for Algoma-Manitoulin

By Rick Garrick

MISSISSAUGA #8 — Former Anishinabek Nation Grand Council Chief Reg Niganobe is calling for improved health care and economic change and prosperity as the Ontario Liberal candidate in the Algoma—Manitoulin riding during Ontario’s 44th general election. Niganobe, who was nominated for the Algoma—Manitoulin riding this past November, has served in a leadership capacity since 2009, including as an Anishinabek Nation Grand Council Chief, a Mississauga #8 Chief and councillor and a chairman of the North Shore Tribal Council.

“Algoma—Manitoulin has been largely ignored by the current provincial government — the focus has been squarely on the greater metropolitan area while Algoma—Manitoulin has to close emergency rooms and lose essential health services,” Niganobe says. “In the upcoming election, we have the opportunity to send a clear message that Algoma—Manitoulin matters, and so do its citizens. I look forward to hearing your concerns for the district and working to achieve economic change and prosperity for all Algoma—Manitoulin communities with your guidance and input.”

Niganobe has been a strong advocate for developing partnerships and growing communities along the North Shore of Lake Huron and has advocated for and achieved change in both policy and legislation at the highest levels of government.

“I’ve always been interested in serving community and I’ve always been taught to leave things a little better than how you found them,” Niganobe says. “In terms of provincial politics, I’ve noticed that there’s lots of places that are lacking. I feel it’s been a while especially in Algoma—Manitoulin since we’ve kind of felt some support from the provincial government in certain areas.”

Niganobe says infrastructure needs are among the key areas he is focused on in the Algoma—Manitoulin riding.

“Our roadways need to be repaired,” Niganobe says. “The municipalities within the area need infrastructure and an upgrade in dollars for water and sewer and roadways. The [provincial] government a while back passed those down to the municipalities to kind of manage and in that regard it’s been a while since I felt the provincial government has been taking care of us.”

Niganobe says health care and education are also key areas that he is focused on.

“Hallway medicine was supposed to be ended but … we’ve been having closures of our hospitals and emergency rooms intermittently here and there, which doesn’t service our communities at all,” Niganobe says. “And then we have education — I don’t feel our schools are getting the support that they need, the teachers aren’t getting the supports that they need, the resources, so our students are suffering in that regard. We could be doing a lot more here.”

Niganobe adds that one of the issues with health care is the lack of family doctors.

“We have such a shortage of family doctors that you have to go into the emergency room just for prescription refills and things like that,” Niganobe says. “That’s supposed to be your family doctor, with no family doctors in the area, that can’t happen — people are missing out on much needed medical attention.”

Niganobe also stressed the importance of supports for communities to foster some economic growth as another key area he is focused on.

“Each community has their own views on economic growth and what that looks like to them, so following their lead and being able to support them in that capacity,” Niganobe says.

Niganobe, who lives with his wife Juels in Mississauga #8 and has two children, graduated from Public Administration and Governance at Toronto Metropolitan University and Social Work at St. Lawrence College.