THUNDER BAY – Anna Betty Achneepineskum and Jay Stapleton have made it a two-candidate race in the bid to bring Thunder Bay-Superior North back into the NDP fold.
Achneepineskum, a former deputy chief with Nishnawbe Aski Nation, and Stapleton, who unsuccessfully sought the Red River Ward seat in 2010 and the provincial NDP nomination in 2011, have both announced their intention to seek the party nod in the riding, currently held by Liberal cabinet minister Patty Hajdu.
Achneepineskum, originally from Marten Falls, has called Thunder Bay home since 1988 and said she's seen plenty of gaps that haven’t been addressed by either the current or previous governments. She wants to be that agent of change.
“The economic base, for example and resource development,” Achneepineskum said. “And I’m not just referring to land-extraction and resource extraction. I’m referring to taking up opportunities of those resources we can develop, whether it’s water or greenhouses. We need to ensure we have those opportunities that are being put forward by the federal government and that we here in this riding are not neglected (and can) take part in these opportunities.”
That means having meaningful conversations with those in the grassroots communities to ensure they are part of the consultation process and can provide feedback.
It’s the NDP who can do that, Achneepineskum said.
For Stapleton, it’s an opportunity to get things done for the riding and the country, things the Liberals may have promised but failed to deliver on.
“I thought it was a good time for some new voices and some new perspectives. The NDP reflects my values so I wanted to jump in and see if I can make my voice heard,” he said, explaining his reason for seeking the nomination.
It’s a riding that was held by the NDP from 2008 until 2013, when Bruce Hyer crossed the floor to sit with the Green Party. Hajdu turned the seat red two years later in the most recent federal election.
“(The Liberals) certainly made a lot of promises in the last election and I think people know that a lot of those promises weren’t kept and that the priorities of the NDP reflect a lot more what your average person in Thunder Bay-Superior North wants.”
Stapleton said environmental issues and electoral reform top his priority list.
Hajdu has already earned the Liberal nomination again, while no candidates have yet to step forward for either the Conservatives or the Green Party.
