Nipissing

Nipissing is a Northern Ontario riding centred on the city of North Bay, situated on the shores of Lake Nipissing and Trout Lake. Vic Fedeli had represented the riding since winning the 2011 general election and had risen to become one of the most senior Progressive Conservatives in the legislature, having served as interim party leader, Minister of Finance, and then Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade. He also served as Chair of Cabinet. The riding’s economy blends government services, education, and resource-sector supply chains, and North Bay serves as a regional centre for northeastern Ontario.

Candidates

Vic Fedeli (Progressive Conservative) — Fedeli was born and raised in North Bay and studied visual communications at Conestoga College and business at Nipissing University. He founded Fedeli Advertising in 1978, which was ranked among Canada’s 50 best places to work in 1989. He served as mayor of North Bay from 2003 to 2010, during which time he donated his entire annual salary to charity, providing an auditor’s statement each year documenting over $350,000 in total donations.

Erika Lougheed (NDP) — Lougheed is a municipal councillor in the Municipality of East Ferris who works at Nipissing University. Born and raised in Northern Ontario, she ran on a platform centred on addressing the opioid crisis and improving mental health and addictions services. She was endorsed by the Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation District 4.

Tanya Vrebosch (Liberal) — Vrebosch served as Deputy Mayor of North Bay and had been on North Bay’s City Council since 2008. Born in Corbeil, she worked as a Supervisor at Ontario Works and was active with Low Income People Involvement of Nipissing and the Santa Fund.

Sean Mcclocklin (Green Party), Joe Jobin (Ontario Party), Taylor Russell (New Blue Party), Michelle Lashbrook (Libertarian), and Giacomo Vezina (None of the Above Direct Democracy Party) also ran.

Local Issues

The redevelopment of Cassellholme, North Bay’s long-term care home, was a major local milestone. After more than a decade of planning that began when Fedeli was still mayor, the $65-million project broke ground in March 2022. The redevelopment would increase the bed count from 240 to 264 and include an Indigenous Unit—described as a first in Ontario—as well as a Designated Specialized Unit, with rooms designed to meet updated infectious disease protocols.

Northern infrastructure investment shaped the broader policy debate. Fedeli championed the Ring of Fire mineral development in the James Bay lowlands, which included building all-season road access in partnership with Marten Falls and Webequie First Nations. He also advocated for the return of passenger rail to the North and expanded broadband access for underserved communities, including a provincial initiative to improve internet connectivity for Nipissing First Nation. Highway safety along the Trans-Canada corridor was another recurring concern for residents who depend on Highways 11 and 17 for daily travel.