A veteran councillor in Chatham-Kent wants to be the next Member of Provincial Parliament (MPP) for the riding of Lambton-Kent-Middlesex.
Ward 3 councillor Steve Pinsonneault says he is running to be nominated by the Ontario Progressive Conservatives at the end of January.
Pinsonneault was first elected to Chatham-Kent Council in 2006 and is currently serving his fifth term on council representing the residents of East Kent.
Pinsonneault told CK News Today he's ready after serving 17 years as a councillor and wants to keep helping people, but at a bigger level.
He said infrastructure needs to be addressed in small communities, along with housing and the doctor shortage, adding he can do an effective job addressing those pressing needs at the provincial level.
"The infrastructure needs and all that, housing needs. Affordability for housing has gone crazy. The doctor shortage, we're good with that here in Chatham-Kent where we have a program and I would like to see that enhanced more to a provincial level," said Pinsonneault.
Pinsonneault admits he has big shoes to fill to replace former Lambton-Kent-Middlesex MPP Monte McNaughton, but feels he's up to the challenge and wants to carry on McNaughton's good work with the trades and labour.
"Monte really enhanced the trades in Ontario. I have three trades that I'm qualified for and I'd like to carry on with that [Monte's work]. Honestly, he did such a good job with labour too," he said.
He wants to run for the Ontario PC nomination in the riding because he says politics and public service is in his blood, his family is all grown up, and his business is on solid footing.
"I'm at a perfect time in my life. My children are all grown up. I have grandchildren now that I can see when I'm home. My family is all on board with it. It's just a perfect time in my life," Pinsonneault said.
Pinsonneault has also served as a volunteer firefighter and has served on many community boards and agencies, such as the Public Utilities Commission, Entegrus Powerlines, the CK Library Board, and the Lower Thames Valley Conservation Authority.
He owns Steve's Sign Shop in Thamesville.
The nomination meeting is on January 27, 2023.
Pinsonneault is not aware he has any challengers at this point.