Crack acclaimed
GPR MP Francis Drouin (left) congratulates GPR MPP Grant Crack on his acclamation as Liberal candidate at the nomination meeting in St. Isidore on Sun., Jan. 28.    Courtesy photo

Candice Vetter
Villager Staff
ISIDORE – Glengarry-Prescott-Russell MPP Grant Crack has announced that it is his honour to once again be the Liberal candidate for the upcoming provincial election on June 7.

Although his acclamation was expected, he expressed his excitement to be again standing for re-election.

“I want you all to know that despite the recent turn of events concerning the Official Opposition, that myself, our Premier and our whole Liberal Caucus team will continue to do what we were elected to do,” he said when he was unanimously acclaimed in St. Isidore at the Glengarry-Prescott-Russell Ontario Liberal Association’s nomination meeting on Sun., Jan. 28. “As Liberals, we will continue to do what we do best and that is to govern this province with stable leadership and build on our past successes.”

Crack was first elected as MPP in 2011. The GPR riding has long been a Liberal stronghold. Before Crack took office, it was held by Jean-Marc Lalonde from 1995 to 2011.

Crack and his wife Kelly have lived in Alexandria since 1973. He served as Mayor of Alexandria (later the amalgamated municipality of North Glengarry) for 11 years. He was elected as MPP for Glengarry-Prescott-Russell in October, 2011 and re-elected on June 12, 2014.

He has served as Parliamentary Assistant to Minister of Rural Affairs, Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Agriculture and Food, Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister Responsible for Francophone Affairs, and Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Education.

In a media release, he said, “I’m sure you are aware of many of our  accomplishments so I thought it might be helpful to highlight where we’ve been and what we have realized. More Ontarians will be sharing in our economic growth thanks to a $15 minimum wage phased in over 18 months. We’ll give people the security of knowing they can cover their basic needs thanks to a basic income pilot. More kids are graduating high school than ever before. More young people can attend college or university thanks to free tuition. Tenants are better protected thanks to rent control; 90% of the electricity we generate is now emissions free, with families and small businesses saving 25% on average on their bills. We’re also moving forward with a responsible and affordable plan to fight climate change. More doctors and nurses are working here and treating more patients than when we took office. And we’re making prescription medications free for everyone 24 years old and younger through OHIP+. Whether it’s roads, bridges, transit, schools or hospitals, we’re making the largest infrastructure investment in Ontario’s history. And yes – you can now buy beer in grocery stores.