Thunder Bay city councillor Brian Hamilton is running to be an MPP in the next provincial election.

Hamilton made the announcement this morning on local radio station 99.9 The Bay.

He’ll run for the Liberal Party under the leadership of Bonnie Crombie.

He says he’s spent his career fighting for small businesses, balancing budgets, and building affordable housing, according to a news release from Hamilton and his campaign manager.

“Northern Ontario is bursting with opportunity, growth, and promise. But right now, Thunder Bay—Superior North is missing the strong, effective leadership we need to unlock that potential. Our community deserves a representative who will fight for affordable healthcare, attainable housing that supports our growing economy, and a future where everyone has the chance to succeed,” he wrote in the release.

He says he’ll work to improve health care and housing across the region, drive economic growth, support the border community as well as arts and culture.

Originally, he wasn’t sure if he would run, but the Ford government did a few things he didn’t like, the biggest being the $200 rebate cheques.

“But if this was another country, and they sent out $200 cheques during an election, we’d have a different word for that,” says Hamilton.