Four to seek T. Bay-RR Riding seat on Oct. 14th

Russ Aegard
Green Party
Russ was born and raised in North Western Ontario.
He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and a Bachelor of Education, both from Lakehead University.
I lives near Thunder Bay in South Gillies Twp. with wife, Tamara and daughter, Lara.
He has worked in a variety of fields, from customer service to education. For the last 10 years, he has been working with children as a counselor and an educator. Currently, he is a teacher with the Lakehead District School Board and is in his 7th year of teaching.
He is active in his community, volunteering for numerous activities such as coaching sports and volunteering with children from the local Children’s Aid Society.
He enjoys playing baseball and hockey to maintain a healthy lifestyle.
He is running for office for one reason; “My daughter. I do not want my daughter to inherit a world so badly damaged that it may be too late for it to recover.”

Ken Boshcoff
Liberal Party
(Incumbent)
Ken was first elected to the House of Commons as the Member of Parliament for Thunder Bay-Rainy River in 2004. He was re-elected in January 2006. He is the critic for the Federal Economic Development Iniative for Northern Ontario.
He considers himself a diligent and committed individual whose political accomplishments are extensive. He says he has strong work ethic and understanding of community issues in northern and rural areas. As such, he is an advocate for northern economic development, the New Deal for Cities and Communities, accessibility for persons with disabilities, and aboriginal issues - concerns with which he has notable knowledge and expertise.
For more than 25 years, he has devoted his life to public service locally, provincially and nationally. From 1997 to 2003, he served as mayor of the City of Thunder Bay and, prior to that, as city councillor. He is the only elected representative who has been the president of three major municipal associations. He has been called “one of the hardest working mayors in the country”.
He considers himself a dedicated advocate for healthy, sustainable communities and is active with numerous environmental, charitable and community organizations.
Boshcoff graduated with a B.A. (Hon.) in Political Science and Economics from Lakehead University in 1972 and a Master’s degree in Environmental Studies from York University in 1975. A lifelong learner, Mr. Boshcoff speaks and writes intermediate French and holds black belts in three martial arts disciplines.
He lives in Thunder Bay-Rainy River.

Richard Neumann
Conservative Party
Richard was born in Portage La Prairie, MB in 1965 and is the eldest of three children.
He is a graduate of the Royal Military College of Canada and served in the Canadian Armed Forces for 12 years, retiring as a Lieutenant (Navy) under the Force Reduction Plan in 1996.
Since returning to Thunder Bay, he has been employed continuously in the Claims Department of the Co-operators General Insurance Company, with responsibility for all property, farm, and commercial losses in Northwestern Ontario.
He is married to wife Alley and is step-father to her two daughters, Michelle Brannan of St. Stephen, NB and Cassandra Brannan of Thunder Bay, ON. He and Alley are grandparents to three children, Tanner (Michelle) and Brady and Calista (Cassandra).

John Rafferty
New Democratic Party
After earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1978, John spent a season at Magnus Theatre in Thunder Bay,
He then returned to university to earn a Bachelor of Education degree.
He then volunteered to teach high school in Nigeria for two years under the auspices of World University Service of Canada (WUSC).
Returning to Canada, he taught in Yellowknife and later became the first high school principal in Rankin Inlet.
He then returned to Africa as a Field Director for WUSC, living in Lesotho and Botswana for three and a half years.
Back in Canada, earned a diploma in broadcasting at Confederation College.
He then worked as the afternoon talk show host at CKPR (Thunder Bay) until his first federal election campaign in 2000.
He then started Rafferty Communications, a small business producing voiceovers for health, safety and training CD-ROMs.
He has been active in both Rainy River school boards as a musician with Learning Through The Arts and an occasional teacher.
He is a member of the Ontario English Catholic Teachers Association, the Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation and the Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario and a honorary member of CEP.
He earned a certificate in dispute resolution from Lakehead University in 2000.
He is member and volunteer with Environment North, Special Olympics Ontario, Voyageur Lion’s Club, Knights of Columbus, Town of Fort Frances Recreation Committee, Fort Frances Museum, Fort Frances Library, Rainy River Future Development Corporation and Canadian Mental Health Association
He is father of three.
“You and your family deserve a Member of Parliament who shows leadership in putting your priorities first and who has a plan for jobs and economic prosperity for the North. Northern families need a Member of Parliament who shows up to the job every day to work for what’s most important for Northern communities,” said John Rafferty on Sunday.