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Grenke running for Conservatives in upcoming election

He's the fourth confirmed candidate in the riding
2019-08-01 Grenke nominated MH
Kraymr Grenke, right, is the Conservative candidate for Timmins-James Bay in the upcoming federal election. He's seen here with the local riding association president Steve Kidd. Maija Hoggett/TimminsToday

With the federal election 80 days away, a Conservative candidate has been named for Timmins-James Bay.

For the first time in more than a decade, the riding association had a race for the nomination.

At a meeting Aug. 1 at Seymour's Pantry downtown Timmins, the local members chose Kraymr Grenke to be on the ballot Oct. 21. Grenke won the nomination over Morgan Ellerton.

Born and raised in Timmins, Grenke is the economic development officer for the Wabun Tribal Council, and sits on a number of boards, including Police Services and the Timmins and District Hospital.

Being involved in the community, he said the time was right to vie for the Conservative nomination.

“We’ve seen the impacts of what’s happened in the last 15 years and what this region deserves,” said Grenke. 

Some of the key issues he noted are developing the resource sector to keep the region going, and opening new avenues for infrastructure upgrades.

"Those are the kind of key issues... how are we going to survive in Timmins 20 years from now, what’s the next part of the industry that we’re going to develop, or is there going to be a new project within the industries that we already have,” he said. 

Healthcare and education are a few of the sectors he can see potential in, and he noted a number of mining developments that are in the works, and the forestry industry as well.

“I moved back to Timmins because I thought it was a vibrant place. My friends and family are here, I grew up here and had a great upbringing. One of the biggest reasons I came back is to hopefully raise a family of my own here. Northern Ontario is a gem, the people are great, we have industries to support us no matter what kind of venture you want to go into,” he said. 

Grenke is the fourth confirmed candidate for the riding.

Earlier this year, incumbent Charlie Angus was chosen as the riding's NDP candidate, and Iroquois Falls' Renaud Roy will be on the ballot for the People's Party of Canada. Michelle Boileau is running for the Liberals.