NDP candidate feels family the most important issue in riding

Ken Johnston

Family first. That is what New Democratic Party candidate John Rafferty says he will make his top priority if elected to represent the constituents of the new Thunder Bay-Rainy River riding.
Born in Kitchener, Rafferty has seen a lot of the world having worked in Africa and the Northwest Territories. In 1992 he and his family moved to Thunder Bay where he taught at the college and hosted a public affairs show on CKPR radio. Now he runs a voice over business for videos produced mainly on safety for the forestry industry.
He said that the export of young people in Northwestern Ontario really concerns him. “Families should have the opportunity to stay in the region but the government has failed to give them the tools to do so.”
His reason for running under the NDP banner is that he feels the party has a “social conscience.” Using that conscience he would make his decisions the following way, “I would ask, ‘Is it good for families?’ If it is then it is a good decision.”
With regards to the alienation of the smaller communities outside of Thunder Bay may be feeling Rafferty said he understands the size and scope of the riding. He plans to move to Atikokan and live if elected. “That is central to the riding.” He also noted that he feels it could be possible that the voters outside of Thunder Bay may very well decide the outcome of the election, despite popular belief that it will be the larger Thunder Bay that picks the next M.P. and governs everyone’s future in the riding. “There could be a split in Thunder Bay leaving the balance of the riding to make the (electoral) decision.”
Rafferty feels that his party will not form the next government of Canada. However, he feels that there is a very good chance, given their rise in national polls, that they could form the official opposition in a minority government situation. “We can help set the agenda of a minority government.”
He said that he believes in economic development from the bottom up and not top down. “I plan to seek input from those at the grass roots.”
Rafferty also feels that with Howard Hampton representing the Kenora-Rainy River riding at the provincial level that, “Working in tandem we can solve problems and issues people might have.”
This is Rafferty’s third attempt to rise to political office. In 2003 he ran as an NDP candidate in Thunder Bay and in the last federal election for the NDP for Thunder Bay Superior North.
Rafferty recently attended his party’s new leader’s nomination meeting. “I was very impressed by Jack Layton and the fact that about two thirds of the people there were under the age of 25.”
Referring to Prime Minister Paul Martin as a “Conservative Liberal,” Rafferty is confident that many people are going to turn to the NDP as an alternative to the Liberals this election.