Putting Northwestern Ontario FIRST

Growing up in Kaministiquia, 40 kilometers northwest of Thunder Bay, Marcus saw first hand how politicians and corporations from Toronto and Ottawa repeatedly made decisions that did not benefit Northerners. Whether it’s our jobs, our healthcare, or our environment, Northwestern Ontario should set its own priorities and make its own decisions.

Northern Ontario has often gotten the short end of the stick in the past, whether through trade deals that have shuttered mills, or the drug crisis hitting our communities especially hard, we in the North need to stand up for our interests and values. Marcus has always fought for Northwestern Ontario, standing up to Ottawa and even his own party when it is in the best interest of his community.

Marcus has advocated for Northwestern Ontario’s future at every step: by pushing for Northwestern Ontario to be the centre of the green transition and bringing millions of federal investment dollars to our lithium manufacturing sector, or by opposing foreign-made subway cars that would take jobs from Thunder Bay, Marcus has always put Northwestern Ontario and its workers first.

Creating and Keeping Jobs in Northwestern Ontario

Marcus has been a tireless advocate for Northwestern Ontario’s economy. From rebuilding Fort France’s economy after the 2014 mill closure, to building out new industries related to the green transition, Marcus is fighting to keep good union jobs in Northwestern Ontario, like those at the Alstom plant in Thunder Bay.

His efforts are paying off. GDP per capita is up 11.7% since 2019, and unemployment is down to 4.4%, below the provincial average. The $200m in federal investments in Thunder Bay—Rainy River since 2019 represents a long-overdue investment in our people and our businesses.

Marcus believes that Thunder Bay and Northwestern Ontario need to be a part of the green economy. The transition to electric vehicles has the potential to create a lot of high paying jobs in mineral-rich Northern Ontario. Marcus believes that we can be part of long term climate solutions, while also benefitting economically from this new industry by building out our part of the EV and battery supply chain.

From mining, to shipping, to manufacturing, Northwestern Ontario continues to be an economic engine for Canada. Marcus is working hard to make sure it stays that way.

Making Healthcare Better

As a longtime emergency room doctor, Marcus understands the challenges facing our healthcare system. He has worked in remote communities, developing countries, and the Thunder Bay ER. Now, he brings that experience to Parliament and to his role on the Standing Committee on Health.

Marcus also has degrees in Public Health from Harvard University and Global Health Law from Georgetown University. This expertise in health and law has helped Marcus as he has worked to successfully increase medical school enrolment at the Northern Ontario School of Medicine, allow family practitioners from the UK, USA, Australia, Ireland and New Zealand to practice in Canada, and introduce a fast-track for foreign medical graduates to get certified to practice in Canada through the new Practice Ready Assessment program.

Marcus has supported the Federal Government’s efforts to introduce new health programs, including dental and pharmacare programs. Marcus was also a strong supporter of the $3.1 Billion investment that the Federal Government is making in Ontario’s healthcare system.

Fighting for Rural Ontarians

Growing up in a rural community, Marcus knows that the issues that affect small towns are different than those that affect big cities. From healthcare, to jobs, to immigration, there are a number of issues that impact rural communities differently, where a one-size-fits-all policy just doesn’t work.

Marcus is proud of the progress he has made for his rural constituents, including on issues like the Canada Carbon Rebate, on which his advocacy led to a change in the definition of rural: making many rural Canadians eligible for the Canada Carbon Rebate Rural Supplement that were previously included in nearby Census Metropolitan Areas.

From building bridges and roads to Northern communities, such as the one currently under construction to Pikangikum, to improving rural access to healthcare, Marcus has been a defender of the rural communities in his riding.

Making Our Communities Safer

From fighting crime in Thunder Bay, to enforcing the border on our lakes and waterways, Marcus supports the men and women who put their lives on the line to protect our communities. He’s fighting every day to make sure all law enforcement officers have the resources, training, and support they need to do their jobs well.

This includes helping law enforcement fight crimes on our border like human trafficking, drug smuggling, and illegal fishing. Marcus has been pushing the government to reopen the RCMP post in Fort Frances and to increase CBSA and RCMP patrols on our waterways. A secure border is key to keeping our communities and resources safe.

In 2023, Marcus helped secure ‘guns and gangs’ funding for the Thunder Bay Police and Nishnawbe Aski Police. He been a long-time supporter of Indigenous policing in Thunder Bay - Rainy River. When communities have the resources to meet their own law enforcement needs, policing improves, and communities are safer.

Marcus’ experience in the Emergency Room showed him first-hand the effects of violent crime. In Ottawa, he has advocated for bail reform, updated sentencing guidelines, and other changes to make our communities safer.

Supporting Ukraine

In 2022, Russia launched an invasion into Ukraine, breaking international law and causing widespread destruction. This invasion led to serious human rights abuses, including attacks on civilians, forced displacement, and war crimes. In response, Canada has strongly supported Ukraine, giving over $5 billion in aid since 2022. This includes financial, humanitarian, and military aid to defend Ukraine and help with the crisis.

Marcus has been a strong voice for Canada’s support of Ukraine. He has pushed for more military help, including more advanced defense systems and continuing Canada's military training mission in Ukraine. He also wants Russia held responsible for its war crimes and has called for Russia’s removal from the UN Security Council until it ends the invasion.

Marcus has also promoted humanitarian aid, focusing on trauma care and helping Ukrainian refugees through sponsorship programs. In his own area, he has worked to integrate refugees into Canadian society.

Looking forward, Marcus is pushing for long-term support for Ukraine, including military aid, healthcare aid, and help in rebuilding after the war. His advocacy has played a key role in shaping Canada’s response to the war.

Fighting Climate Change and Protecting the Environment

Climate change is a global emergency. People across the country and around the world are already experiencing the consequences of our climate crisis through extreme weather events like wildfires, hurricanes, floods, and droughts. As we have seen in recent years, Northwestern Ontario is particularly vulnerable to wildfires, floods, and other climate events. Marcus believes that we have a responsibility to our children and grandchildren to leave them an environment that will allow them and future generations to thrive.

Canada is on track to meet its climate goals under the Paris Agreement, and our emissions reductions are the best of any wealthy country. We are investing in the green economy and keeping our air and water clean. One example is the $650 million over ten years for the Freshwater Action Plan to protect lakes and rivers.

The Federal Government has invested over $55 billion in the green economy. We have planted 2 billion trees, banned single-use plastics, improved the Canada Environmental Protection Act, and cut emissions by 53 million tonnes in four years. But there is more to do.

Canada has pledged to cut emissions by 40-45% by 2030. Investments in electric vehicles, renewable energy, and energy-efficient homes will help us reach our goals.