After 10 years as the MP for Nickel Belt, Marc G. Serré, said he is welcoming the opportunity to run as the Liberal candidate for the newly defined federal riding of Sudbury East–Manitoulin–Nickel Belt.
He added that as a Northern Ontario member of parliament he will work to help Northerners keep their government benefits and their firearms.
Serré was speaking Thursday at an open house at his campaign headquarters on Highway 69 North in Val Caron.
He spoke briefly on how the Canadian government will respond to the U.S. tariffs on the national level and then, based on door-knocking responses, Serré assured the crowd there is no chance Canada will become part of the United States, as was suggested by U.S. President Trump earlier this year.
"No, no, no. Make sure you know, you tell your neighbors, people that are worried, people that are concerned, we are not going to be a 51st state," Serré told the audience.
Serré said despite national concerns he has found most voters want to know about local issues and how government affects them personally.
"When we look at all the different priorities that we have locally, from seniors care to municipal infrastructure, to indigenous reconciliation, there's a lot of different aspects," he said.
Serré said the government has brought in several new benefits that people are not fully aware of, such as having the Canada Child Benefit, which is indexed and tax free. He said it is a benefit that is especially important to many women who struggle with the cost of raising children.
"They're getting tax-free money, something that we couldn't do before," said Serré.
Another benefit is a 10-per-cent increase in OAS payments (Old Age Security) for people aged 75 and older. Seniors are also enjoying the dental care program, as well as the program to subsidize medications for diabetes.
"Those programs will continue under a Liberal government. We're not sure but I would say they won't continue with a Conservative government," Serré said, adding that the Conservatives have identified such programs as government overspending.
He also spoke about the importance of representing a riding with a large rural population where people enjoy hunting and fishing.
Serré said the Liberals are not out to take away hunting rifles or firearms that farmers need. He said people who have a legitimate concern can call his office.
"Actually give me that hunting rifle model number, and I'll make sure that it's not on the list, and if it is, I'll get it off," Serré told the audience.
On the other hand, Serré said there is a valid concern about using high-powered automatic weapons.
"Obviously, the assault rifle ban is something that we need to do. There's no reason, you know, if you have a 50-clip machine gun that will kill, you know, a little deer. You better get another hobby."
Serré said he has also encountered many voters who tell him he has no worries about getting reelected, that he will likely win even if some supporters don't go out to vote.
Serré said he appreciates the confidence but urged his supporters to get out to the polls on April 28 or at the advanced polling on April 18-21, 2025.
Len Gillis is a reporter at Sudbury.com.
