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'I think I know how to win'

Liberal leadship hopeful in Sudbury looking to build support

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The Ontario Liberal Party may have taken a drubbing in the last election, but leadership hopeful Michael Coteau welcomes the chance to get off the mat — with renewed vigour and fresh ideas.

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“We need to figure out how to do things differently,” he told The Star while visiting Sudbury on Wednesday. “This is a great opportunity to start from scratch with the party and actually make it authentic and reflect where people are. I think that’s the first step — figuring out how to get people to buy in and actually be stakeholders in this journey.”

Coteau, who represents Don Valley East, is one of five people currently vying for the leadership, although others are expected to declare their candidacy prior to the March 7 election.

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“In less than six months from now, we’re going to have a new leader,” he said. “I’m one of two elected Liberals in the legislature that is running for this position and I think I have the most experience to take on this challenge.”

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The son of a British mom and Grenadian dad, Coteau moved to Canada with his family as a youngster and grew up in North York social housing. He went on to earn a degree in history and political science from Carleton, run a digital literacy program and serve as a school board trustee.

“I’ve won six elections in a row,” he said. “I think I know how to win and I’m prepared to put in the hard work to get us there.”

Among other priorities, Coteau said it’s essential to “address the income gap that exists in Ontario between those who have and don’t have,” expand internet connectivity, and position the province to meet “the challenges the new economy will bring forward.”

Coteau said automation and artificial intelligence, along with advancements in energy production and communication, open doors for economic progress.

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The province, however, “is not prepared right now to capture that opportunity and really reap the benefits,” he said. “And my fear is if we don’t figure it out today, we’re going to see other emerging economies surpass our economy.”

Coteau sees Northern Ontario as playing a key role in the future prosperity of the province.

“The first thing I think is Ontarians, and Canadians as a whole, have to recognize that Northern Ontario is a strategic place for economic development,” he said. “We’re seeing this in Sudbury, in North Bay. I believe the next big economic booms are going to move outside of the city and into Northern and rural parts of Ontario.”

Coteau is also advocating a “new deal for municipalities,” which he announced at a recent conference of the Association of Municipalities of Ontario.

“We know more than ever that municipalities are not set up to make the right type of infrastructure investments that are aligned with their current needs,” he said. “So it’s really rethinking the way we engage the municipalities and work with them in partnership, rather than just having a heavy hand.”

jmoodie@postmedia.com

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