By Pam Wright
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Long before the final results came in, the party had already started in Thamesville for hometown boy Steve Pinsonneault.
Supporters gathered at the Thamesville Sertoma clubhouse were in a celebratory mood as Pinsonneault cruised to an easy win – learning he’d clinched the victory just minutes after the polls closed.
“It’s a good day,” said Pinsonneault in his victory speech, as he hugged his partner Jodie Hogg, adding the knot in his stomach finally went away when he saw the numbers roll out on his way to becoming MPP for Lambton-Kent-Middlesex.
Dealing with Trump’s tariff threats are at the top of Premier Doug Ford’s agenda, Pinsonneault told the crowd, stressing Ford has done an “amazing job” dealing with the looming threat.
“He went right to the forefront,” said Pinsonneault of Ford’s actions. “At the end of the day, he played Captain Canada.”
Pinsonneault pointed out Ontario has to be strong in the face of the “dysfunctional” federal government.
“We needed somebody to stand up and he took that role straight on and I’m sure that played a part in my victory here today as well,” he said.
When speaking to the Ontario’s healthcare problems, Pinsonneault said the PC’s have put $20 billion into healthcare since 2018 and more is on the way to help secure primary care for “every resident in Ontario.”
However, Pinsonneault, with his background in skilled trades and small business, said it all comes back to the economy.
“Let’s face it. If your economy’s not strong, it’s not good,” he stated. “It’s hard to deal with these other issues…you’ve got to have a strong economy first. Everything resonates from that. We’re going to fight the tariffs, and honestly with Premier Ford in place, we’re going to come back better on the other side.”
The PC candidate eclipsed his nearest rival by a landslide with 25,297 votes. Liberal party hopeful Cathy-Burghardt-Jesson was second with 12,397 votes; the NDP’s Kathryn Shailer was third with 5,779 votes; New Blue candidate Andy Fisher got 2,093 votes and the Green Party’s Andraena Tilgner finished with 1,677 votes.
A fixture of the East Kent town, Pinsonneault is a small business owner, a long-time volunteer firefighter and previously served for 17 years as an outspoken councillor for the Municipality of Chatham-Kent.
Pinsonneault also stressed that he “did the work,” in the runup to the election, meeting with wardens and mayors across the riding, knocking on doors to talk to constituents and even spoke to high school classes.
“I got out and I met with people,” the MPP said. “People want to talk…they want to tell you what the problem is, what they’re happy with, what they’re not happy with,” he added. “I know my opponents didn’t go the doors like I did. That’s very, very important.”
“They want to give you their perspective and I want to hear their perspective,” Pinsonneault added.
Pinsonneault’s victory marks his second go-around at Queen’s Park. He was elected by a wide margin May 2, 2024, stepping up to fill the seat left by former L-K-M MPP Monte McNaughton, who left politics to enter the private sector.
