ARICHAT - Mike Kelloway's two years of participating in the governing Liberal caucus have given him valuable experience in serving the constituents of Cape Breton-Canso, and he's hoping voters will recognize his efforts despite the steep learning curve that has come with serving as a Member of Parliament during a worldwide pandemic. 

In an interview with Telile Community Television's Becky Bourinot at the station's Arichat studios, Kelloway insisted that he and the people of Cape Breton-Canso have achieved great things together, partly because he sees his role as a non-cabinet MP as far more than ceremonial. 

"This is not just about cutting a ribbon - anybody can cut a ribbon," Kelloway declared. "I want to be in the foxholes at the very beginning of finding solutions to problems, finding opportunities that we can accentuate - that's what I want to do."

Shortly after his first election victory in October 2019, the former Nova Scotia Community College (NSCC) executive was named to the House of Commons Standing Committees on Health and Justice. Today, Kelloway feels the former committee helped him develop a safe yet proactive approach to the COVID-19 pandemic, while the latter committee enabled him to work on behalf of such underrepresented communities as his LGBTQIA constituents and the three Mi'kmaq communities in his riding, which takes in the counties of Inverness and Richmond, portions of Guysborough and Antigonish Counties, and such areas as Sydney River, Glace Bay and Dominion within the Cape Breton Regional Municipality. 

Asked to explain his approach to issues on the local and national levels, Kelloway recalled that it took him only five months to earn the nickname "Bulldog" among Ottawa circles.

"I'm like a dog with a bone," Kelloway smiled. "When an issue or an opportunity comes up, I don't let go."

Note: Telile Community Television and all CACTUS's LJI partners are committed to a full discussion of the election and offers equal time to all candidates.