Q & A with the Kenora – Kiiwetinoong candidates

Tim Brody - Editor

Voters will head to the polls on April 28 and six candidates have stepped forward in the Kenora - Kiiwetinoong riding looking for your vote.
To help area residents learn more about the individuals seeking to represent them, The Sioux Lookout Bulletin asked the Kenora - Kiiwetinoong   candidates the following questions: 
1. Why have you decided to run for the position of Kenora - Kiiwetinoong MP and what does a vote for you mean? 2. What should voters know about you? 3. What experience and qualities would you bring to the job that you feel would make you a good MP? 4. What do you feel are the major issues on the minds of people in this riding and how do you and your party plan to address them? 5. Is there anything else you would like to say to voters?
The following are the candidates’ responses in the order in which they were received.

Jon Hobbs – Green Party of Canada

1. I have decided to run to become the Green Party Member of Parliament for Kenora - Kiiwetinoong mainly because I am passionate about the environment. I love Canada and its natural beauty which I want to protect and save for my children and grandchildren! Every vote for me demonstrates to the winning candidate that the environment and global warming is important to citizens in this riding.
2. I am a retired architect and I have spent my entire career in the construction industry within the private sector. I believe we need regular Canadians, and not just career politicians and lawyers, in our House of Commons. From university through to retirement, I have supported sustainable buildings and fought for the environment. 
After a successful award-winning architecture practice, I eventually became the Executive Director of the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada (RAIC). During my tenure at the RAIC, I created, hired experts for, and delivered dozens of new courses across Canada for architects entitled, Sustainable Design for Canadian Buildings (SDCB 101 to SDCB 401). Additionally, I was one of four professionals who founded the Canada Green Building Council (CaGBC) which rates green buildings in Canada (such as LEED certified buildings and Zero Carbon buildings). CAGBC has become a hugely successful not-for-profit created by the private sector. 
I am a bilingual, retired architect and planner living near Sioux Narrows, Ontario. My architecture practice was in Peterborough, Ontario where I was involved in both professional and local issues. I received an OAA Design Excellence Award and a heritage restoration commendation. Eventually, I made my way to Ottawa/Gatineau where I served as the Executive Director of the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada (RAIC). During my tenure at the RAIC, I created, hired experts for, and delivered dozens of new courses across Canada for architects entitled, Sustainable Design for Canadian Buildings (SDCB 101 to SDCB 401).
Additionally, I was one of four professionals who founded the Canada Green Building Council (CaGBC) which rates green buildings in Canada (such as LEED certified buildings and Zero Carbon buildings). CAGBC has become a hugely successful not-for-profit created by the private sector.
Since retiring I have advocated for the environment and the need to address climate change by writing to and communicating with local, provincial and federal officials and politicians – mainly about recycling, single use plastics, and eliminating plastic packaging.
I have two adult children and live a frugal but comfortable retirement in a small, airtight, super-insulated house built to PassiveHaus standards on the shores of Lake of the Woods. The home is powered with solar panels and net metering which charges my electric vehicle.
3. I will bring a construction industry and private sector perspective to the job. I am a very hard worker who would work tirelessly for citizens of this riding. I have served on many professional and municipal committees. When in Ottawa with the RAIC, I was a registered lobbyist advocating for the fair and transparent selection of architects and engineers and the need for all federal buildings to be sustainable.
4. I believe affordability, including the cost of food and housing, is one of the most important issues for people in this riding. I have shared a multi-pronged approach to both of these issues which would expand supply of both food and housing and create non-market housing.
Canadian sovereignty and the economy are also concerns for this riding. The Green Party proposes a new National Civil Defense Corps which will provide rapid response to forest fires, floods, ice storms, tornados and hurricanes. These climate disasters continue to destroy Canadian homes and businesses and we need to help those affected immediately and over the longer term. Additionally, it can support Canadian sovereignty especially in the far North.
We need re-tool our economy to become a Canadian green economy. We need to support and provide incentives for industries, both existing and new, which are green and sustainable. We need to transition to an economy fueled by electricity and we need to wean off of fossil fuels.
5. Other Issues. A vote for the Green Party will demonstrate how important environmental issues are to this riding. Furthermore, the Green Party supports electoral reform providing proportional representation in Parliament, eliminating income taxes for those making 40,000 or less, and self-determination for Indigenous peoples.
I am not a professional politician; however, I live by my values in a small, airtight, super-insulated house built to PassiveHaus standards on the shores of Lake of the Woods. My home is powered with solar panels and net metering that charge my electric vehicle.
Please vote with your heart! Be brave! Vote Green

Bryce Desjarlais – People’s Party of Canada

1. I’ve decided to run for the People’s Party to give our riding a real, traditional conservative voice—one that stands on principle, not political convenience.
A vote for me means you’re done with empty promises and tired of being ignored by parties that only show up when they need your vote. It means you want representation that actually reflects your values. A vote for me says you’re fed up with the major parties drifting left just to chase power. It says you’re ready for a representative who has no party whip and can vote your voice. 
2. I’m not a career politician—I’m just a regular person who felt politically homeless until I found the People’s Party. Like many of you, I’ve watched the world drift to the extreme left, and it feels like common sense has been pushed out of politics.
I joined the PPC because I share its core values: freedom, personal responsibility, mutual respect, and fairness. I’m running because I believe it’s time for everyday Canadians to have a true grassroots conservative voice, one that’s led by the people.
3. I’m not a politician, I’m just a regular person with real-life experience and common sense. I know what it’s like to work hard, pay bills, and feel like the government keeps getting in the way.
I’ve seen how government overreach, overspending, and censorship are making life harder for people like us. I’m honest, I listen, and I’m not afraid to speak up. I don’t answer to party insiders, I’m running to stand up for this riding and make sure we have a voice that actually represents our communities 
4. There are a lot of challenges facing our riding right now, but the biggest ones I hear about are affordability, housing, healthcare, and addiction and mental health.
Everything is getting more expensive: groceries, gas, rent, and it is squeezing families and small businesses. A major cause is the carbon tax. We need to eliminate all forms of it because it drives up costs and does nothing to lower emissions. The government keeps overspending and printing money, which fuels inflation. We need to get spending under control, lower taxes, and let people keep more of what they earn, while also respecting taxpayer dollars. The government does not fund programs with its own money, it does it with yours. We should always strive to ensure every dollar delivers better outcomes for Canadians.
Our healthcare system is stretched thin, and people are waiting too long to see doctors or get treatment. The truth is, our infrastructure simply cannot keep up with the current pace of immigration. We need a moratorium until we can properly take care of Canadians first, because if we cannot meet the needs of the people already here, we have no business opening the doors to others. We also need better access to care in remote and rural communities. Everyone should have access to timely, quality healthcare, no matter where they live or who they are. That includes making sure care is respectful and works for people from all backgrounds. Instead of pouring money into bureaucracy, we need to let provinces innovate, increase efficiency, and make sure funding goes to where it is actually needed, such as frontline care.
Addiction and mental health are real problems in our communities, and what government has been doing just isn’t working. We need to talk to the people who are actually dealing with it every day, community leaders, frontline workers, and those with lived experience. The solutions need to come from the community, not just from the top down. We need to focus on prevention, treatment, and real recovery. And we need to make sure support is respectful and works for people from all walks of life. Everyone deserves help that actually makes a difference.
5. I am not a politician. I am just a regular person who has had enough of government ignoring common sense. I believe in more freedom, less government, and putting Canadians first. I will always stand up for your right to speak freely and live your life without constant interference. I am not here to follow opinion polls or listen to think tanks. I am here to do what is right. I will stick to my principles, listen to the people, and fight for a government that respects taxpayers and gives more power back to local communities.

Eric Melillo (Incumbent) – Conservative Party of Canada

1. It has been an honour to serve as your Member of Parliament for our region since 2019. I decided to run because I wanted to help improve our community and deliver positive change for our region. While I have been successful in several efforts, such as securing more support for economic development through FedNor in our region and regulatory changes that allowed remote communities in the region more options for internet access, I believe there is much unfinished business. That is why I am running and once again asking for your support to continue to be your voice in Ottawa. A vote for me is a vote to have a strong voice representing you in Ottawa and an advocate to lower the cost of living, lower taxes, build homes, bring in responsible government spending, and stop the rise of crime.
2. I was born and raised in Kenora, and have lived in our beautiful region all of my life. There is nowhere else I would rather call home. I also enjoy travelling our region to meet with residents and bring their feedback to Ottawa. 
3. The main role of an MP is to represent residents in their region. As your MP, I have strived to be as accessible as possible by having meetings with residents, being present in the community, and reading all of the feedback sent to me about what is important to you. If re-elected, I will continue to do that and keep you informed about what I am focusing on.
4. I have spoken with thousands of residents during this election, and many more while serving as your MP. Most often, the cost of living and housing are major concerns to those living in the region. With household budgets becoming tighter, many are struggling to afford basic necessities. Many are also struggling to find affordable housing. That is why a Common Sense Conservative government will axe the entire carbon tax and lower income taxes by 15% to make life more affordable. We will also stimulate home building by removing the GST on new homes built, freeing up federal land, and cutting red tape that slows home building and makes it more expensive. A Conservative government will also reward municipalities that exceed building targets.
5. Being your MP has been an honour of a lifetime. If I am re-elected, I will always try to represent you the best that I can, whether you voted for me or not. 
If you have any questions about our Common Sense Conservative plan to put Canada first, please do not hesitate to contact me at [email protected] or 807-464-6617.

Charles Fox – Liberal Party of Canada

1. I am running because I believe Kenora—Kiiwetinoong deserves an experienced voice in a Mark Carney Government in Ottawa. I’m not running for myself; I am running to engage the youth as they are our future. As a member of Bearskin Lake First Nation, former Grand Chief of Nishnawbe Aski Nation and Regional Chief for Ontario, I have dedicated my life to advocating for Indigenous rights and building partnerships between communities. A vote for me means electing a local champion committed to ensuring every voice in our riding is heard and represented in Parliament by someone who understands all parts of our Region.
2. I am a proud member of Bearskin Lake First Nation, born in Sioux Lookout. I’m deeply attached the land which I experience as a hunter, fisherman, and trapper.
My career has been focused on public service and leadership. My work emphasizes advancing economic development that benefits local communities, advancing treaty rights, preservation of Indigenous culture and language, and improving families’ well-being across the North with a focus on the needs and engagement of our youth.
I’m a residential school survivor. Together with my spouse, I run a group home for First Nation boys, providing traditional and therapeutic land-based programs to help put them on a better path.
3. I believe it all begins with my connection to the land and territory that is Kenora – Kiiwetinoong. The area is vast yet I have excellent awareness and connection to all parts. I offer decades of leadership experience, having served as Grand Chief and as Ontario Regional Chief for 133 First Nations I have been actively involved in agreements that ensure local individuals and communities’ benefit from resource extraction. My background includes experience in subjects as diverse as health care, infrastructure and energy conservation initiatives. 
I am committed, collaborative, and rooted in values of equity and respect. These qualities, along with my lived experiences, equip me to be an effective MP for Kenora—Kiiwetinoong as part of a Mark Carney government. 
4. As your Liberal candidate, I will advocate for investments in health and mental health services, support housing projects, and create sustainable economic opportunities. I will prioritize climate action and ensure Indigenous voices are central in policy decisions. 
Key issues include:
•    Work with Mark Carney to protect Canada from the threats posed by Donald Trump to our independence and sovereignty. 
•    Fight for the resources to provide quality healthcare, including access to mental health, and addiction services. 
•    Expand housing options including Affordable housing in all communities including reserves. 
•    Leverage funds to improve transportation, health and community infrastructure. 
•    Develop greater cooperation and engagement between municipalities and First Nation communities to promote shared economic development and job creation, particularly for youth.
•    Protect natural resources and adapt to the impacts of climate change.
•    Indigenous rights, cultural preservation and ongoing efforts at reconciliation. 
5. I am running for the future of our communities and our youth. I’m committed to engaging with every part of our riding, listening to your concerns, and working together with all First Nation communities and municipalities to build a stronger, more equitable, and sustainable region.
If you want your voice heard in Ottawa, I respectfully ask for your support so as part of a Mark Carney government, we can work together to ensure Kenora—Kiiwetinoong receives the representation and attention it deserves.

Tania Cameron – New Democratic Party

1. I am a community activist. When I see people in need or situations that require attention, I do what I can to help. I am a leader in my home community. I have served 6 terms on the Band Council. I have held positions of leadership both in my work life and as a volunteer. I have a passion for enabling youth to fulfill their potential, to that end I have promoted and organized sports opportunities for youth across the Northwest. 
A vote for me will send a youthful, compassionate, woman to Ottawa. In the House of Commons with my colleagues in the NDP, we will hold the next government to account.  I will bring attention to the issues of our communities. I have a strong voice, and I will use it to address the many issues affecting our region.
2. I am a helper. That is my calling. There are different needs, whether it is food insecurity, youth mental health, or the need for menstrual products—I am an advocate. I bring people together to get things done. I am a mother; my children are all young adults now. My father’s family is from Sachigo Lake FN; my mother was from Treaty 3. I have boundless energy available to be the MP and spokesperson for Kenora—Kiiwetinoong. 
3. My experience on the Band Council will be valuable. The numerous committees that I have served on have strengthened my ability to problem solve and work for consensual solutions. 
 4. There is a wide range of issues in this riding. Resource development involves informed consent for First Nations and it also has an impact in the larger centers in provide good paying jobs in those communities too. At the same time there are environmental issues to be addressed. The NDP will ensure that First Nations are involved, and that development will not proceed on the traditional territories of First Nations without prior and informed consent. People are concerned about the effect of tariffs and the actions of the US government, how it will affect their cost of food, housing, vehicles, all parts of their lives. The NDP has proposed a cap on the price of essential food,  that will help people deal with the high cost of living. We will work to make sure that plans designed to assist ordinary Canadians are implemented to reduce the cost of groceries and that housing that is affordable will be build where it is needed. Lack of adequate health care must also be addressed. The NDP has promised more family doctors where and when they are needed. 
 5. I am ready to work for the people of this riding and others. I will raise issues of importance and help to find solutions. Please consider voting NDP. I am the best choice in this riding to elect a progressive MP who will work for you. 

Kelvin Boucher-Chicago – Independent

1. I have run as an independent in three (3) federal elections, with the 2025 federal election being my fourth (4th). In all my election campaigns, I have informed the voters, as well as the elected officials in both Anishinaabe governments and the Canadian governments, about the less fortunate that are within northwestern Ontario. Despite my many attempts to shine a light on the issues, I have not seen anything positive that has happened other than more money, more jobs for more bureaucracy, that leave the less fortunate nothing but more deaths, more suicides for the youth, and colder winters for all. A vote for me is a compassionate vote for the less fortunate and one step closer to warmth and healing 
2. I am 60 years old, and during my time I have seen many tax dollars go to waste on social programs supposed to help the less fortunate. However, many of these programs are duplicating services, and generally I believe support a service industry that lacks true accountability. I care about my fellow human beings, no matter their background, and my call for accountability and more effective services is driven by such care. 
3. As an independent candidate, I am not attached to any party and therefore not attached to any party line. Being observant in life is the best teacher, as I have seen and heard a lot, but most of all I have compassion for my fellow human beings and common sense in resolving problems. 
4. To my mind, the underlying major issue is accountability of our elected leaders, and the bureaucracies that serve them. Positive change cannot take place, and the needs of the people met, if people keep voting for what I believe is the same three-ring circus. 
5. I would just like to emphasis that for real change, voters need to stop voting for what I believe is the same three ring circus; vote for change, vote for common sense and compassion, vote for Boucher-Chicago!