Election Candidate profiles: Liberal-Don Rusnak

I was born in Thunder Bay and raised in Northwestern Ontario.
I attended Lakehead University, where I studied Political Science and Integrated Forest Resource Management, graduating in 2000. I then attended the University of Manitoba, Robson Hall Faculty of Law, graduating in 2004.
Over the years, I’ve worked in the forestry industry, government, and in private practice. I now live and practice law in Thunder Bay, and serve the people of Northwestern Ontario.
Why are you running to be the MP for Thunder Bay-Rainy River?
One reason is Stephen Harper. The direction he has taken this country is not what I want my country to be.
The second reason is our current Member of Parliament. He has had two terms to bring change to the riding and has not done it.
Most notably, I would like to put my skills, education, experience, and energy to work and tackle the issues that are important to the people in our riding.
Everyone has an issue that affects them, or an idea on how we can build a better Canada together.
For some people, it’s about creating good jobs here in our local area and building an economy that’s made to last—for the long run. Others are concerned about defending our environment and resolving social issues, so we can leave a better world for our children and grandchildren.
I believe everything is connected. Economic issues are connected to environmental and social issues.
We need a government and an MP that understands that, and works collaborative to solve the issues facing the people of the riding today.
What is the single-most important issue to you in this federal election?
I believe in fiscal responsibility. But I also recognize that as a result of 10 years of Harper economics, we have a crumbling infrastructure in our riding that needs to be addressed.
It makes sense to invest in our infrastructure, and our current and future economy, when interest rates are low. The Liberals have announced $125 billion in infrastructure spending over 10 years.
Justin Trudeau will invest in people and things that make our everyday lives better. Transit, roads, clean energy, schools, affordable housing, and hospitals. The basic infrastructure our economy needs to grow.
A Liberal government will partner with municipalities—and listen to how they would like these infrastructure dollars to be spent.
Liberals have a strong track record of making the right investments at the right time. Through economic growth and job creation, we have balanced the budget and we will do so again.
We will run modest, short-term deficits to invest in growth for the middle class and follow a credible plan to balance the budget in 2019.
If elected, how would you help kick-start the economy in the riding?
The Liberal government will help to kick-start the economy by investing in jobs and growth, lowering taxes for the middle class, and investing in infrastructure.
If elected, I will:
•strategically plan for growth by consulting and co-operating with communities, organizations, industries, businesses, and the provincial government;
•be an advocate for the people I represent;
•be in the region as often as possible to listen to and address the needs, issues, and dreams of the people I wish to represent;
•make it easier for people to get the right kind and level of skills they need to acquire and retain good jobs; and
•have constituency offices in the region, not only Thunder Bay.
Should the pensions of retired workers be taxed?
A Liberal government will reduce taxes on seniors and keep income-splitting for seniors. We will work to ensure Canadian seniors get the secure and dignified retirement they deserve.
We will restore the eligibility for Old Age Security and the Guaranteed Income Supplement to age 65. We will help lift hundreds of thousands of seniors out of poverty by immediately boosting the Guaranteed Income Supplement for single low-income seniors by 10 percent.
Since many seniors live on fixed incomes, we will introduce a new Seniors Price Index to make sure that Old Age Security and the Guaranteed Income Supplement keep up with rising costs.
Within our first three months in government, we will begin discussions with the provinces and territories, workers, employers, and others on how to enhance the Canada Pension Plan. We will not cut pension income-splitting for seniors.
We will introduce a more flexible and accessible Employment Insurance Compassionate Care Benefit so that six months of benefits are available to those who are providing care to a seriously-ill family member, rather than only those caring for a loved one at risk of death.
We will priorize significant new investment in affordable housing and seniors’ facilities as part of a Liberal government’s commitment to a new, 10-year investment of nearly $20 billion in social infrastructure.
Should the government enact a stricter immigration policy?
Our future success largely is driven by attracting talented people from around the world. Our diversity not only brings its own economic and social rewards, but with Canada’s aging population, having a robust, effective, and efficient immigration system is critical to our long-term economic growth.
During the Harper decade, our immigration system has been re-oriented away from welcoming those who choose to make Canada their new and permanent home.
A Liberal government will renew and expand a safe, secure, and humane immigration system.
If you could be any animal, what would it be and why?
If I could be any animal, I would be a bear. I am from the Bear Clan, or Makwa.
Generally, I watch and listen intently, and love a good laugh. I am 40 years old so I still have the energy to sustain a fast pace, which will be crucial in a geographic area as large as ours.
When it is necessary to advocate for a constituent, or fight for something that will benefit the people of our area, the advocate within me will come out and will resemble a bear.