THUNDER BAY - Two first-time legislators in the region are eager to get to work with their new roles.
On Thursday, Opposition Leader Andrea Horwath handed out the New Democratic Party's critic roles.
Local MPP Judith Monteith-Farrell is the new critic of natural resources and forestry, while Sol Mamakwa of the brand new Kiiwetinoong riding is in charge of Indigenous relations and reconciliation.
Monteith-Farrell has spent most of her career working as a union representative representing workers from various fields, most notably health care. She says she’s confident in her new position.
“I have a good knowledge on that area, and it’s always been one that’s interested me,” she said. “I’m a lifelong resident of this area, and I have connections in those ministries and in forestry.”
Monteith-Farrell alluded to the fact that the current forestry minister, Jeff Yurek, worked as a pharmacist in London.
“I think I can handle it for sure,” she said.
Monteith-Farrell’s top priority is settling in, and getting to work on one of her other jobs. She’s sitting on the standing committee for estimates where she will be analyzing the province’s budget.
“They haven’t come up with a budget and the [current one] is frozen, so I’m going to analyze how that’s working in the present. When they come up with something, hopefully we can make it fit best for Northern Ontario.”
“For sheer numbers alone, we need to be seen,” said Monteith-Farrell in regards to Horwath’s decision to give all 39 MPP a critic’s role.
“It’s always been a strong focus for our party to represent the North and ensure it’s not forgotten… so filling those jobs are important.”
Mamakwa said he’s also on the learning curve with his new job.
“It’s an honour to be appointed,” he said. “In the short time I’ve been to Queen’s Park, I’ve learned the significance of my role.”
He’s the first elected member of the Kiiwetinoong riding - a riding that is home to 26 fly-in First Nation communities, and is 68 per cent Indigenous.
“You have to understand, the original policies and processes are under a colonial government, and we are a colonized people,” he said.
Mamakwa expressed concern from the Conservative party when they consolidated the ministry of Indigenous affairs into a joint ministry with energy, and northern development and mines. Under the former government, the roles were assigned to three different ministers, while under the current - Kenora-Rainy River MPP Greg Rickford is in charge.
“A part-time minister is not good enough for me,” Mamakwa told tbnewswatch in July. “It’s a very big file, and I don’t think he’ll have time to address those key items.”
Mamakwa also spoke to the importance of the word “reconciliation” being within his title.
“I believe the NDP caucus put it there because we need to go back to reconciliation," Mamawka said. "It means bringing back the responsibility, accountability, and resource allocation to the First Nation communities.”
Mamakwa also wrote to the Minister of Education recently, criticizing the Ford government for abruptly cancelling a curriculum program based around reconciliation, and introduction to Indigenous languages.
The government has not responded.
“Even when there are questions posed during Question Period, it’s basically been non-answers,” he said.
Mamakwa said he’s yet to sit down to discuss political matters with Rickford, but is hoping he can develop a working relationship with him.
