Nipissing—Timiskaming Conservatives are ready to choose a candidate to run in the next federal election.
At the close of nominations on Jan. 18 two election hopefuls, Steve Trahan and Cassidy Villeneuve, completed the application process and were approved as nomination contestants.
Voting for the Nipissing—Timiskaming candidate nomination is this Saturday, Feb. 10, at the Best Western Hotel in North Bay from 1:30 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Guest Speaker Scott Aitchison, MP for Parry Sound-Muskoka, will address party members at 4:30 p.m. before the nomination election result is announced.
“Support for Conservative party leader Pierre Poilievre is high across the riding with Pierre visiting twice since last summer," said Gordan Rennie, President of the Nipissing-Timiskaming Conservative Association in a release.
The candidates
Trahan, a veteran North Bay Police Service officer and multi-term East Ferris councillor is hoping to run as the Conservative candidate for the second straight election — he finished second to incumbent Anthony Rota back in 2021.
RELATED: Steve Trahan announces Conservative candidacy
“I’m putting my best foot forward again for this upcoming election and I’m hopeful that people will come out and vote for my nomination,” Trahan told BayToday's David Briggs during an event in East Ferris in early January.
Villeneuve, born in Iroquois Falls and raised in North Bay, has spent the last number of years living in Ottawa and working in numerous roles supporting Conservative MPs, including most recently the Shadow Minister of Public Safety in the fight against gun legislation.
SEE: Villeneuve running for local Conservative nomination
“Northern Ontario deserves a strong voice in Ottawa; they deserve a fighter who understands them. That’s why I’m running to be your next member of Parliament,” said Villeneuve as she launched her campaign back in November of 2023.
Poilievre appeared in North Bay alongside both Trahan and Villeneuve at an Axe the Carbon Tax Rally on January 13 as part of a five-city Northern Ontario tour.
“We are in a strong position to win the next election and bring needed relief to local residents suffering from the federal carbon tax, unaffordable housing prices, and out-of-control inflation,” stated Rennie.
“We are looking forward to confirming our local candidate and getting ready for the next election."
With files from David Briggs, Stu Campaigne and Jeff Turl
