Ray Canada Announces Candidacy for District 76

Slidell City Councilman Ray Canada announces his candidacy for the Louisiana House of Representatives in District 76, the seat being vacated by State Representative A. G. Crowe.

Canada, 65, has represented District E on the Slidell City Council since 2002, presently serving as Vice-President. He has been active in litter abatement efforts, and is Chairman of the Keep Slidell Beautiful Board of Directors. He serves on the Council’s DISA committee, sales tax agreement committee, budget committee, and the sewer and water committee. Previously, he was Chairman of Slidell’s Board of Zoning Adjustments.

Canada, a Republican, said it is time for change in Baton Rogue. “I will bring a fresh voice to Baton Rogue, committed to honesty and integrity in government. I am dedicated to improving our safety, opportunities, and quality of life. I will work hard for the citizens of District 76 and ask you to consider my experience, knowledge, and accomplishments when voting for your state representative.”

He wants to work on coastal restoration and storm protection, increasing infrastructure funds to parish and local governments, fostering economic development to replace the jobs lost in Katrina, restoring vocational education in St. Tammany, improving the State’s support of litter abatement and beautification efforts, and help the parish and cities complete recovery efforts.

He retired after 37 years of combined service with the U. S. Coast Guard and NOAA. His USCG service included assignments as deck officer and assistant engineering officer on a major icebreaker, engineering instructor at the USCG Academy, and a naval engineer in research and development. His service with NOAA’s National Data Buoy Center at Stennis Space Center included assignments as West Coast Representative, management positions in program support, program management, and engineering. His leadership as the Coastal Marine Automated Network Program Manager built a major NOAA environmental monitoring network along the coastal United States, including Alaska and the Grand Bahamas. This program’s success was highly dependent on the ability to work with numerous Federal agencies, state and local governments, industry, and various environmental organizations.

Mr. Canada has a Bachelor of Science degree from the U. S. Coast Guard Academy and a Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Connecticut. During his career, he pursued additional graduate level training in program and executive management, public administration, personnel management and budgeting.

Canada is a member of the Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers, Marine Technology Society, Rotary Club of Slidell, Northshore Republican Men’s Club, Bon Village Homeowners Association, Slidell Liver Support Group, American Legion, and the Order of Sons of Italy in America. He was President of the Long Beach, MS, Civitan Club, Lt. Governor of the Mississippi Magnolia District of Civitan International, and Chairman of the Marine Technology Society’s Buoy Technology Committee. A member of St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church, he has served as President of the Parish Council, Chairman of the Finance Council, St. Margaret Mary Chairman for the Archdiocesan Capital Campaign. He is a lector and Eucharistic minister, and received the Order of St. Louis Award.

Ray and Dee Canada are long-time residents of Slidell. Married for 39 years, they have three daughters and six grandchildren.