MRC Pontiac Warden candidate Michael McCrank held his official campaign launch yesterday evening (Oct. 6) at Mural Park in Campbell’s Bay. McCrank was a long-time mayor of Litchfield and also served as the Warden before it became a position that was elected by universal suffrage. Prior to 2017, the council of mayors elected the warden from amongst themselves, who would serve as both a mayor for their municipality and a representative of the MRC.

McCrank started off his speech by reiterating his campaign slogan, that he is “in it for you." He said that one of the main reasons he decided to re-enter politics was because he saw so much division on council during public meetings.

“I re-entered this race because I saw a lack of working together and it’s not conducive for the common good. So many of you shared with me your impressions of the Facebook meetings, and that sort of drove me along as well because I could see a lot through it and it wasn’t pretty from my point of view,” he said.

He also said that he wasn’t one for making big promises, but rather gave his word that he would listen to residents and help them find solutions:

McCrank’s official agent, outgoing L’Isle-aux-Allumettes Mayor Winston Sunstrum, said that he was the underdog in this campaign. He added that they had already raised $2,000 of the maximum allowed in the election, $7,600, and would need financial support from the public. Donations are limited to electors of the riding and max out at $200, or $50 if made in cash:

The audio of McCrank's full statement is available below: