The federal New Democrats in Nipissing-Timiskaming have selected their candidate for the next election.
Scott Robertson was nominated on the weekend.
“As a North Bay City Councillor, the top issues I hear about from residents are related to affordable housing, homelessness, mental health, addictions, and the environment,” said Robertson.
He adds previous governments have failed to address the problems in a meaningful way and the NDP is ready to take bold action.
Robertson also says others may try to blame inaction on the pandemic.
“But for the people in our communities, we know better than that. We know that these problems like affordable housing and climate change precede the pandemic and they’re likely to continue to plague our communities after the pandemic if we let them. I think that’s what this election is going to be about,” he says.
Robertson was elected to North Bay’s City Council in 2018.
He serves on numerous committees and boards including the District of Nipissing Social Services Administration Board and the Board of Health.
Prior to his election, he served as a Canadian Forces Reservist and spent years working in the forestry, education, and library sectors where he served his colleagues as Shop Steward.
Robertson says details on the NDP platform have yet to be released, but they’ve been advocating for change on several issues for years, including national childcare and more.
“New Democrats have always been talking about Pharmacare, New Democrats have been talking the relationship between the federal government and Indigenous communities and real meaningful action on Truth and Reconciliation, a whole host of issues, long-term care,” he says. “These are the issues the New Democrats have been strong on my whole life.”
Robertson says he was overwhelmed with the level of support received at Saturday’s nomination meeting.
“It’s a clear indication that there’s a lot of enthusiasm for strong change and embracing a fundamentally new way of approaching the problems that we know are getting worse in our communities,” he says.
Barring an early election call or the minority government falling, the next general election will be held in October 2023.
