A Chatham-Kent councillor is looking to fill the seat left by former Member of Provincial Parliament Monte McNaughton.
Ward 3 Councillor Steve Pinsonneault has announced that he intends to seek the Progressive Conservative nomination and run in an upcoming by-election to represent the riding of Lambton-Kent-Middlesex.
The position was left vacant after MPP McNaughton resigned in October to take a job in the private sector.
Pinsonneault, who is currently serving his fifth term on CK Council, said making the jump from municipal to provincial politics is something he’s wanted to do for a long time.
“My children are all grown now… the timing is right in my personal and professional life,” he said. “I’ve been in municipal politics for 17 years. I totally understand small communities and all the struggles they have and the issues [they face], and I really want to bring that to Queen’s Park.”
The East Kent councillor is the owner and operator of Pinsonneault Enterprises and Steve’s Sign Shop in Thamesville. As a councillor, he has served on the Public Utilities Commission, library board and Lower Thames Valley Conservation Authority board.
Pinsonneault also has 32 years of experience as a volunteer firefighter and has served on several community groups and boards.
The 60-year-old said infrastructure, housing affordability, and the shortage of family doctors are some of the issues he’d like to see addressed on the provincial level.
“I’m a grassroots politician. I’ve been in municipal politics for a long time… [I] understand what the needs are in the communities,” said Pinsonneault. “I understand the concerns of the rural and urban [resident] and I think I can bring that experience, as well, to the riding.”
Pinsonneault would likely face a learning curve in the new position but feels he’s up to the challenge.
“Chatham-Kent is a big area, 2,300 square kilometres. But if you look at the makeup of Lambton-Kent-Middlesex, it’s very similar. You have all of this rural area and you have these urban areas all through it. So it’s very similar to what I’ve dealt with for all these years,” he said.
A nomination meeting to determine the PC candidate for the riding will be held on January 27, 2024.
Premier Doug Ford is required to call a by-election within six months of an MPP position becoming vacant, as per the Legislative Assembly Act. McNaughton’s last day in office was October 6, 2023.