Kenora — Tania Cameron was acclaimed as the NDP candidate in the newly redrawn Kenora-Kiiwetinoong riding and will run in the next federal election.
Cameron, a member of the Niisaachewan Anishinabe Nation, works as the chief executive officer at the Wiigwas Elders and Senior Care home in Kenora.
She previously ran as an NDP candidate in the 2008 and 2011 federal elections.
Cameron said running again was a big decision she did not take lightly.
“This will be my third time as a candidate, but this time it just seems like there’s an urgency in terms of the political climate that we’re living in right now and I believe that the riding hasn’t been well represented,” said Cameron.
There are a number of pressing issues in the riding, she explained.
“A lot of the things that I’m hearing about right now in our riding is the economy — the supports needed in our healthcare system. I know it’s a provincial issue, but I know the funds are sourced from the federal dollars. So, certainly need investments right across the region,” said Cameron.
“Municipal First Nations, they have a lot of issues on the table at the federal level and I’d like to be able to advocate on behalf of a lot of these projects that are needed to one boost our economy (and) improve access to services in Northwestern Ontario.”
Cameron said she would bring a lot of heart, a lot community connections and the voices she meets in the region to her candidacy.
“I want to amplify what they’re saying and living and experiencing here in Northwestern Ontario. So, I believe I’m the right advocate for that role,” she said.
Cameron said she also feels good about her nomination, with a number of Northwestern Ontario residents and leaders reaching out to talk since last summer, especially over the last month from the community and the federal NDP.
As a family decision, she added she also certainly has their support and feels it was good timing.
“I got the notice the other day that I was acclaimed, so things are moving a lot faster than I expected," said Cameron.
"I had just come off a short leave and (was) going back to my regular day job. Now I’m sort of switching gears here again."
Although there are no set dates for the upcoming election, she said she knows some people think it could be called this month, so she’ll be preparing.
