Rob Flack, the Progressive Conservative MPP-elect in Elgin–Middlesex–London, says the 10,000 kilometers he put on his truck criss-crossing the vast urban-rural riding this campaign was well worth it.
The business executive is one of the three new PC MPPs elected in Southwestern Ontario on June 2 as London’s three core ridings re-elected New Democrats. Flack is taking over a seat vacated by long-time PC MPP Jeff Yurek, a former cabinet minister in Doug Ford’s government who resigned his seat in February.
Flack, who ran unsuccessfully for the Conservatives in West London during last fall’s federal election, won with 51 per cent of the vote in Elgin–Middlesex–London — a 32-point margin over the second-place finisher, New Democrat Andy Kroeker.
“They say one door closes and another door opens. As much as we wanted to win last fall, I’m thrilled that I’m here … It’s home,” said Flack.
“Since I got the nomination, it’s felt like a glove that fits. I really felt comfortable. When you add in the small town and rural aspect and the people, it just fits.”
Flack is chief executive of Masterfeeds in London, a national animal feed business employing 700. He said bolstering the skilled trades is one of his biggest goals at Queen’s Park.
“Industries are coming here, but we have to have the skilled labor to fill these jobs. There’s a shortage, big-time,” he said.
Growing the area workforce — Elgin–Middlesex–London will be home to a new Amazon warehouse and Maple Leaf Foods plant — is a major priority, Flack said, along with affordable housing, economic growth and ensuring access to health care.
“With the health care crisis, the pandemic came up and frankly, no one was really ready for it. This problem has been in the making for probably 30 years, not three,” Flack said. “We need to get more hospitals and to hire more health-care workers. That was loud and clear at the doors (this campaign).”
Flack has lived in Dorchester for nearly 30 years, a change from the riding’s most recent federal and provincial representatives, who most often hail from St. Thomas or Elgin County. He has committed to keeping the riding’s constituency office in St. Thomas.
While he’s lived in a small town and has roots in the agriculture sector through his work, Flack said he is ready to serve his urban constituents in south London, Lambeth and St. Thomas and wants to build strong relationships with his three NDP neighbours.
“Politics is about give and take, it’s about finding common ground and I hope that we can work together in a constructive way, like Jeff Yurek did before me,” Flack said.