Councillor laments 'weakened' FedNor

Seven months after being re-elected as a Ward 2 city councillor, Terry Sheehan has decided to seek the Liberal Party of Canada's nomination to run as its candidate for Sault Ste. Marie in the next federal election.

The election is scheduled to be held October 19. 

An official date for the nomination meeting has not been finalized.

"A couple of months ago I was approached by the local Liberal association and asked if I would run for the nomination," Sheehan said, speaking to SooToday Wednesday.

"At the same time I was being approached by a lot of people, not only Liberals but traditional Conservatives, NDP, Greens, asking me to consider running, that I could win and bring a lot to the table." 

"There's a real concern in this community about jobs and economic development, we've seen what's happened at Tenaris and I think that's made a lot of people very uneasy."

"The outward migration of youth is becoming an epidemic again…because of a lack of jobs and the childcare system they need.  If you don't have good childcare you can't keep young families here," Sheehan said.

"I started taking a look at the Liberals and their platform and they have a good platform for childcare, and I know they're proactive for creating an environment for economic development."

"We need strength in FedNor and its ability to serve Sault Ste. Marie because it's been weakened and a lot of its functions are being done out of Sudbury right now," Sheehan said.

Downtown redevelopment is one key to local economic development, Sheehan said, adding he is looking forward to the opening of the downtown business incubator.

Sheehan said he feels more healthcare and infrastructure funding (more four-laning of Highway 17 across Northern Ontario, for example) should come from Ottawa to Ontario.

"There has to be a better relationship between the federal and provincial governments, it's difficult to get the Prime Minister to talk to the Premier."

"One of the things a Liberal government can do is create that dialogue and make sure transfer payments for healthcare and infrastructure are appropriate for Ontario," Sheehan said.

"If we can get an agreement in place about shared funding for the highways, if we could just do a few kilometres a year, it would go a long way for safety and help the economy as we're able to move products across the country."

Sheehan said he feels there is a sense of dissatisfaction with the current Conservative government.

"The difference between this (Conservative) government and the Liberals is that Liberals pride themselves on being accessible."

"Speeches aren't scripted and written for you."

Sheehan said another concern brought to his attention was the manner in which the Sault to Hearst passenger rail service was spared.

The Conservative government announced March 31 it would provide $5.3 million in funding over three years to keep the service running while an independent operator works to make it viable. 

"A committee had been at it for a year and had a great plan together months ago, and then for the federal government to announce funding at the eleventh hour, people are questioning the government's long-term commitment to multi-modal transportation, including the Port of Algoma," Sheehan said.

"There's an unease in the community and with that in my mind, I started talking with family and friends and supporters and it's time for action, so that's why I've put my name forward to be a candidate for the Liberal Party."

Sheehan, 45, is a married father of two, born and raised in Sault Ste. Marie. 

He is a Sir James Dunn graduate and studied political science at  Lake Superior State University (LSSU).

Sheehan works as an employment and training consultant with the Ontario Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities.

He ran as the Liberal Party candidate in Sault Ste. Marie in the 1999 provincial election.

"I feel confident we can have a great election," Sheehan said. 

Sheehan may keep his Ward 2 council seat during the election campaign, but must step aside from that role if elected as MP in the federal election.

Incumbent Conservative MP Bryan Hayes is running for re-election in Sault Ste. Marie, having already secured his party's nomination.

Peggy Lauzon and Skip Morrison are competing for the local NDP nomination.

The New Democrats will hold their nomination meeting June 16. 

Previous SooToday coverage of this story:

Sheehan to seek Liberal nomination

It's on! Skip challenges Peggy for nomination

Business owner seeks NDP nomination

Feel like another trip to the ballot box?