Liberal incumbent Terry Sheehan delivered a speech to the party faithful gathered at The Grand Theatre with cautious optimism Monday night, after taking a commanding lead in the race for the federal riding of Sault Ste. Marie-Algoma.
Sheehan is on the verge of knocking off Conservative candidate Hugh Stevenson after a back and forth race, receiving over 47 per cent of the vote to Stevenson’s 44.9 per cent.
If re-elected, Sheehan will become the only Member of Parliament to serve four consecutive terms in the history of the riding, which recently became Sault-Algoma after amalgamating with a portion of Algoma—Manitoulin—Kapuskasing.
“Thanks to everyone for standing up — for yourself, for our neighbours, for Sault Ste. Marie and Algoma, and Canada,” Sheehan told the small crowd in the early hours of Tuesday morning.
“We’re Canada strong.”
Sheehan said he has informed Prime Minister Mark Carney of the opportunities to supply military-grade steel in order to produce new destroyers and armoured vehicles as part of Carney’s election campaign promise to bolster spending on defence and infrastructure.
“I want to work with Algoma Steel, Tenaris and others to realize new opportunities as Carney redefines our relationship within Canada in creating one economy — not 10 provinces and three territories, one economy — and tear down all the barriers,” Sheehan told reporters.
“There’s $200 billion worth of opportunity.”
Sheehan said he believes that tearing down barriers will attract international investment, and that Sault Ste. Marie-Algoma will “probably be the strongest and best riding in Canada.”
“We had to continue to work together. I saw the threats, I saw the issues — I saw the opportunities,” he said.
“My experience in working throughout in business, economic development and trades, I know all these communities. There’s tremendous opportunities there, and there’s challenges, and I recognize that.
“I’ve got a lot of energy, I’ve got a lot of experience, and I want to continue to work with these people.”
Sheehan said one of his first priorities, should he be re-elected, is to make sure he reconnects with leadership and stakeholders in communities across the newly-expanded electoral riding and work with them.
“I’m up for the task. I’m so excited to create opportunities,” he said.