The contest to choose a new leader for Ontario’s Liberal party has finally made its way to the remote areas of the province.
Candidate Lee Fairclough, who represents Etobicoke-Lakeshore and serves as the Liberal Caucus critic for hospitals, mental health, addictions, and homelessness, drove through Kenora, Dryden, Fort Frances, Sioux Lookout, Atikokan, and Thunder Bay this week.
Fairclough took a road trip through the area, allowing her to witness firsthand the highways that have become a major concern for local residents.
“I had heard quite a lot about it when I did my nine-day tour in the northeast earlier this summer,” says Fairclough. “And I travelled those highways through the summer and really started to see why people were so concerned about road safety and the number of accidents we’ve seen. And of course, I’m picturing the whole time what it’s like in the winter.”
Since arriving in northwest Ontario, she’s received many calls for twinning the roads. “I will not be digging a tunnel under the 401 until we address these highways in the north,” she states, referring to Premier Doug Ford’s controversial plan to build a parallel tunnel beneath southern Ontario’s busiest highway. “It’s time to prioritize these issues up here.”
During her visit, Fairclough notes that access to healthcare has been at the forefront of discussions with residents from northwestern Ontario.
“As someone who worked in healthcare for 27 years, I think people were eager to talk about how we could improve access to healthcare and particularly mental healthcare. Long-term care is definitely a significant need in many communities.”
With municipal elections approaching across Ontario, Fairclough has also shared her views on how provincial government interacts with its 444 municipalities.
She opposes strong mayor powers that give mayors authority to override city council votes or pass bylaws with support from just a third of councillors.
“What I’ve seen from this government in so many areas around their attempts to centralize power is concerning. It raises worries for local communities and our democracy,” says Fairclough. “If I’m up in Dryden or I’m in Sioux Lookout, do I really believe that folks at Queen’s Park know what’s best for those communities? I don’t.”
Cities like Thunder Bay have faced tough discussions about police budgets due to provincial laws passed by Ford’s government that limit municipal councils’ control over their own police funding.
Fairclough comes from a small town on Lake Huron’s shores and understands life in smaller communities well.
“You’ve got a smaller tax base here; you need to manage your spending wisely with that tax money so you can support your community. So I’m open to reviewing how police budgets work for municipalities,” she adds.
Regarding the Ring of Fire-a development project promoted by the provincial government as one that could change northwest Ontario economically-Fairclough sees potential but believes environmental considerations are being neglected.
“I’m not convinced that caring about our environment and supporting economic growth are mutually exclusive ideas; that’s what this government seems to think: it’s either/or,” says Fairclough. “So there are ways we can still ensure we’re considering environmental aspects.”
She emphasizes that working together with Indigenous groups will be crucial moving forward.
“I think it’s 2026 now; we should always include these factors as we create new businesses and economic opportunities here up north. It’s great seeing progress on that front.”
Fairclough promises if elected she’ll visit every northern riding each year: “Ontario Liberals need to connect with rural areas across northwest and northeastern Ontario if we’re going to regain success.”
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