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Kevin Holland Octo 20 2025

Province hints at support for Ear Falls

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The provincial government is indicating support to Ear Falls following the closure of Interfor’s sawmill.

The company’s decision last week impacted 160 employees.

The government’s Associate Minister of Forestry says he’s disappointed by Interfor’s decision.

Kevin Holland says they have since spoken to the company and Mayor Kevin Kahoot.

“Immediately following the announcement of the shutdown of the mill, the Premier and I reached out to company officials and Mayor Kahoot, offering support for the workers and the community”.

Holland did not elaborate on the specifics of the support offered.

He did say that Ontario’s forest workers are impacted by the weak markets and the implementation of U.S. tariffs and duties.

The U.S. government last week increased duties on Canadian softwood lumber from 10% to 45%.

Hollard says while the province is working to protect the forest industry, it also needs federal assistance.

“We need Ottawa to work with us to deliver real solutions by addressing the issues causing turmoil in our forestry sector and engaging in real negotiations with the U.S. president,” says Hollard.

Thunder Bay-Superior North MPP Lise Vaugoios says the province needs a strategy to modernize and strengthen its forest sector.

“Forestry is integrated, and when one part collapses, the whole industry is at risk,” says Vaugeois.

“We knew sawmills were in trouble when the pulp mill in Terrace Bay shut down. We have the best lumber and best pulp in the world, produced by skilled workers. Their jobs must be saved.”

Holland notes that the government has invested over $150 million to modernize mills, lower costs, and help operations stay competitive.

“Through programs like the Forest Sector Investment and Innovation Program and the Forest Biomass Program. We’re helping companies upgrade equipment, expand markets and find new uses for mill byproducts, turning unused wood into economic opportunity,” says Holland.

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Kevin Holland Secures PA Post

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One of the local MPPs under Premier Doug Ford is getting extra responsibility.

Thunder Bay-Atikokan Member Kevin Holland has been sworn in as the Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing Steve Clark.

“It’s an exciting opportunity for me and I think it will serve us well (in the riding),” Holland told Acadia News.

“It’s a little less work than being a full-time minister, which will allow me the time to address the issues that we are facing here in Thunder Bay-Atikokan, which led to me running in the first place. It also gives me access to ministers at the same level as if I were a full-time minister.”

Holland said he got the call from Minister Clark just minutes after the new cabinet was sworn in on June 24th.

“We had 83 members that (the Premier) had to choose a cabinet from, so I knew it was going to be a difficult decision for him to make,” added Holland. “I’m okay with not being selected for cabinet in the first go around. I do believe that my 31 years on municipal council probably had some bearing on the decision to appoint me as the Parliamentary Assistant (to this portfolio).”

Holland has stated that he wants to tackle a shortage of jobs in the riding as well as secure additional employment opportunities at the Alstom Plant and support the Northern School of Medicine (NOSM) University.

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PC’s Steal Thunder Bay-Atikokan

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The Ontario PC Party makes history in Thunder Bay-Atikokan.

Kevin Holland, the Mayor of the Township of Conmee, is now a Member of Provincial Parliament for Doug Ford’s majority government after knocking off NDP incumbent Judith Monteith-Farrell.

“I was able to connect with constituents, voters at the doors, at the community centres and at the open houses that we were doing,” said Holland when asked about the win. “It was the grassroots style of campaigning that I think really resonated. It gave me a good opportunity to introduce myself to people one on one so they could get to know who I am and what I am all about.”

Holland has been in municipal politics for three decades and also owns a business.

A shortage of jobs in the riding is something he wants to address once he is sworn in.

“We need to diversify our workforce,” he said. “We have to start building our economy. With a strong economy, we can then sustain our healthy communities. If we don’t have that, then we won’t be able to afford the programs that help our communities.”

Prior to Monteith-Farrell being elected in 2018, the riding was held by Liberal Bill Mauro for 15 years.

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Decision 2022: Thunder Bay-Atikokan

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Just 13 days remain until Election Day in Ontario.

Three of the seven candidates running in Thunder Bay-Atikokan took part in a forum this week hosted by the Anishnawbe Business Professional Association and the Thunder Bay Chamber of Commerce.

Eric Arner of the Green Party participated virtually while Robert Barrett of the Liberals and NDP incumbent Judith Monteith-Farrell were in the room for the one-hour session.

Kevin Holland, who is running for the Ontario PC Party, declined this invitation to participate, and one extended to his camp to take part in an event hosted by the Thunder Bay & District Injured Workers Support Group earlier in the month.

Barrett can’t understand not taking part in these events, adding “I just think it’s just so disrespectful for the Progressive Conservatives to not be sending out their candidates to speak and be accountable. Not only for the last four years but the next four years going forward.”

Monteith-Farrell feels the strategy is a pretty telling one should they get elected.

“If someone is not willing to talk to constituents and to be in an open forum and answer questions now, what are they going to do when and if they were elected?” Monteith-Farrell asked. “I feel that that is a lost opportunity for them because we don’t know what they stand for.”

Both Barrett and Monteith-Farrell were asked about having a strong voice at Queen’s Park after PC leader Doug Ford stated that he couldn’t even tell who the local members of provincial parliament (MPP) were while on a campaign stop on Saturday, May 7th.

“Doug Ford has been saying that for the last four years about any candidate that isn’t a PC candidate,” stated Monteith-Farrell. “His folks are rock stars and he doesn’t know our names. Maybe if he showed up in the legislature, he would hear a bit more. Just ask Kenora whose emergency rooms were closing, and they have a PC cabinet member there (Greg Rickford) so it’s not helping them.”

“I think any of the three candidates that took part (in the forum today) would do a very good job going forward and representing our constituents,” Barrett added. “I think they really care, our platforms are quite similar and I don’t think the Progressive Conservative platform just fits, whether it’s here in Northwestern Ontario or across the province.”

Election Day is Thursday, June 2nd with advanced polls open this weekend.

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Candidate Profile: Kevin Holland

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Kevin Holland is hoping to secure a PC seat in Queen’s Park for the riding of Thunder Bay-Atikokan.

His hope is to defeat the current NDP incumbent Judith Monteith-Farrell in next month’s election.

“Coming from a smaller community, obviously it’s a larger area that you are running for,” Holland explained to Acadia News, when discussing the move to run for the province. “I think the biggest difference is you are representing a party instead of running as an individual. Part of what I had to look at was what the policies and what the positions were of the different parties, and find the one that I thought best suited what I believe was needed to move our riding forward.”

Holland currently serves as the Mayor of the Township of Conmee.

The 30-year member of council and business owner feels experience is why you should vote for him, adding “I have served on several agencies in the political field, different committees and organizations. I have had several provincial appointments, so I feel like I have a really good handle on what it is we need in the riding and how we get results for the riding.”

Holland also wants to look at securing additional employment opportunities at the Alstom Plant and support the Northern School of Medicine (NOSM) University.

Election Day is Thursday, June 2nd.

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Ontario PC Unveils Thunder Bay-Atikokan Candidate

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Kevin Holland will carry the Ontario PC flag into the next provincial election.

The Thunder Bay-Atikokan candidate is the Mayor of the Township of Conmee and has over 30 years of experience as an elected member of council.

Holland believes living in the riding his entire life will help him understand the needs of the community.

“I recognize the immense opportunities that exist for our Region,” said Holland. “We need a strong voice at Queen’s Park that will commit to working in collaboration with all local partners to find solutions that will benefit the people of Thunder Bay-Atikokan.”

The next provincial election will be taking place in 2022.