Economy top of mind for federal election voters, candidates say

Superior Morning5:38Thunder Bay Superior North - The Issues

The candidates in Thunder Bay Superior North riding talk about the key issues they think are important for voters

Candidates in the Thunder Bay - Superior North riding say they keep hearing the same thing when they're out knocking on doors: people are concerned about the state of the economy.

Liberal candidate Patty Hajdu said that, when she starts talking to voters at the door, they always bring up the economy.

"Economy in general in that very broad sense we hear on national tv, but more, how does it relate to families on the ground," she said.

Andrew Foulds, the NDP candidate, said when he hears about the economy, it relates to employment.

"The number one issue, bar none, is jobs. People want to work. They want to work in their communities, they want a decent paying jobs, people are struggling day to day," he said.

Conservative candidate Richard Harvey said many people ask him about getting ahead.

"It's the economy, but also very much, what people are talking about, is they want to make sure that their taxes stay down," he said.

"They're concenred about having less disposable income for themselves."

Foulds and Hajdu said the other topic they hear about is health care, and ensuring the system can keep up with an aging population.

But the incumbent, Green Party candidate Bruce Hyer said he has a different read on the main election issue.

Hyer said it's a unique answer for Thunder Bay - Superior North.

"Whom does your MP work for? No matter how well intended they may be, unfortunately the two Liberal and NDP candidates will have to do what Mulcair and Trudeau command 100 percent of the time."

Hyer said he thinks the local race does not include the Conservatives, as they have not won in more than 80 years.