Dykstra seeks Niagara West nomination

Rick Dykstra has set his sights on Queen’s Park.

The former St. Catharines MP announced Saturday he is seeking the Ontario Progressive Conservative Party nomination in Niagara West–Glanbrook.

The seat — its territory includes Pelham — will be left vacant Sept. 16 upon the official resignation of longtime MPP Tim Hudak, who announced his retirement from politics earlier this month.

Dykstra, the party’s current president, called the vacancy a “real opportunity” to help Leader Patrick Brown “ensure that we continue to put together a team that will be able to win government in 2018.”

“I think, from a Niagara perspective, this is the first step toward helping him do that and I certainly look forward to the opportunity.”

It was after reflecting on his presidential role, and following a discussion with his family, that Dykstra decided to put his name forward.

“I guess retirement doesn’t sit well with me,” he said with a laugh, adding his family is supportive of his lifetime commitment to public service.

With 10 years in Ottawa under his belt, as well as experience at both the municipal and provincial levels, as a councillor and staff member respectively, Dykstra is confident he can deliver on behalf of area constituents.

“I think I can speak to any of the levels or orders of government from a very knowledgeable perspective,” the 50-year-old St. Catharines resident said. “I know the drivers that make things move to accomplish what you need to. I think I proved that as a federal member of parliament in terms of delivering on behalf of the Niagara region.”

He served two terms as a St. Catharines city councillor from 1991 to 1997 and held leadership roles at Queen’s Park from 1997 to 2002, including chief of staff for then-social services minister John Baird and director of caucus and public relations for then-premier Mike Harris.

I think, from a Niagara perspective, this is the first step toward helping him do that and I certainly look forward to the opportunity.”

Rick Dykstra

Most recently, Dykstra served three terms as St. Catharines MP. He was defeated in the 2015 election by Liberal newcomer Chris Bittle.

At the federal level, “you don’t delve as deep into the actual practical application of how moneys are spent, how they’re allocated and what type of services you have to deliver, such as education and health care, the running of municipalities across the province,” he said.

At the provincial level, however, there’s “more hands-on responsibility,” which Dykstra wants the chance to take on.

As for issues Dykstra would strive to focus on, he said West Lincoln Memorial Hospital in Grimsby is in need of attention and there are infrastructure needs within Niagara the province needs to address.

“I think I certainly have the experience to offer and the know how as to how to push, pull and move the levers of government to make those things happen for the community.”

With riding and boundary changes on the horizon, Dykstra said his west St. Catharines residence will be just acrossthestreetfromthenewNiagara West boundary come 2018.

The riding currently includes Grimsby, Pelham, West Lincoln, Lincoln and part of Hamilton.

Though he doesn’t currently live in Niagara West–Glanbook, Dykstra said he’s all too familiar with its communities, having grown up in Beamsville and Grimsby.

He has not yet touched based with Hudak about his announcement, but suspects the pair will have a conversation in the near future.

Once the resignation is deemed official,PremierKathleenWynnewill have six months to decide whether to call a byelection.

GrimsbyregionalCoun.TonyQuirk has also announced his intentions to seek the party’s nomination.