After six months without provincial representation in the riding of Lambton-Kent-Middlesex, Chatham-Kent’s mayor is excited to see the role filled.
Current Ward 3/East Kent Councillor Steve Pinsonneault was elected as the new MPP for Lambton-Kent-Middlesex last week, following a by-election that was triggered by former MPP Monte McNaughton stepped down in October 2023.
CK Mayor Darrin Canniff said Pinsonneault is the best person to represent the interests of residents in the municipality.
“I’ve sat on council with him for 10 years. Particularly since I’ve been mayor I’ve gotten to know Steve really well and we always talk about the priorities of Chatham-Kent,” said Canniff. “That’s one of the great things about Steve is that he’ll hit the ground running big time because he understands the issues of Chatham-Kent.”
Canniff added that there are several big issues facing Chatham-Kent that he’s hopeful Pinsonneault will be able to champion at Queen’s Park.
“Funding is the big thing. When you start looking at infrastructure for the homeless, for various things like that, that’s what we need,” he said. “We we start looking at our tax increases, that’s what’s driving it.”
Canniff added that Chatham-Kent, like many municipalities across the province, have also been lobbying the Ontario government for better plan to address infrastructure funding.
In addition, the proposed expansion of a landfill north of Dresden by GTA based company York1 Environmental Waste Solutions has generated significant concern from local residents and the municipality. Canniff said Pinsonneault is now in the best position to voice these concerns.
“As we move forward, we continue the fight against York1 as far as stopping that in its tracks,” he said.