Meet the 2025 candidates in the Kenora—Rainy River riding

The riding includes the municipalities of Kenora, Dryden, Fort Frances, Rainy River and Ignace.

Several First Nations are located within the riding boundaries, including Couchiching, Rainy River First Nation, Naotkamegwanning, and Shoal Lake 40.

Kenora—Rainy River covers an area of about 45,000 square kilometres, and as of the 2016 Census, had a population of just over 53,000.

The candidates in alphabetical order by surname are as follows:

Anthony Leek, Liberal

Anthony Leek ran for the Liberals in this riding twice before. He was the Liberal candidate in the Kenora—Rainy River riding in both the 2014 and 2022 Ontario election campaigns.

Leek was also previously a municipal councillor in Emo, where he led efforts to build a race track in Kenora. He has experience working in education. 

John Redins, Green

John Redins ran in three Federal elections in the riding of Ottawa South. In 2011 and 2014, he ran for the Party for People with Special Needs. In 2015, he ran for the Green Party of Canada. He is originally from Schreiber.

In previous elections, he's called for better access to disability services and supports, particularly for people living in northern Ontario who face larger barriers to accessing care than those in urban centres. Redins has served as a member of the Ottawa Transit Riders advocacy group.

Greg Rickford, PC

Greg Rickford is a two-term incumbent in the Kenora—Rainy River riding, winning the 2022 and 2018 election. He also served as the federal MP for the Kenora riding from 2008 to 2015. Rickford was appointed to federal Minister of Natural resources in 2014.

Within the PC provincial government, Rickford has held a number of cabinet responsibilities, including northern development, mines, natural resources and forestry, Indigenous affairs, and energy.

Rudy Turtle, NDP

Rudy Turtle previously ran for the Kenora NDP in the 2019 federal election. He also ran for Ontario regional chief at the provincial chiefs assembly in 2024.

Turtle served two terms as chief of Grassy Narrows First Nation, during which he was outspoken about the ongoing effects of mercury poisoning in the English-Wabigoon River, which has affected most people living in Grassy Narrows.