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NDP will have a candidate in Simcoe North, vows local official

Party's leadership 'said they will have a candidate on the ballot,' riding association president says. 'I have no idea who he or she is'
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There will be an NDP candidate on the ballot in Simcoe North for the upcoming federal election.

Don Brundage, president of the Simcoe North federal NDP Riding Association, says party officials have informed him they will have a candidate in place.

“Central NDP said they will have a candidate on the ballot,” said Brundage, adding, at this point, he has “no idea who he or she is.”

He said the party has received the candidate's papers and is in the process of vetting the candidate. Brundage said the announcement of the candidate's identity could happen “any day” and must occur before Sept. 30 for the candidate’s name to be on the official ballot.

The local NDP was left in the lurch when candidate Janet Lynn-Dunford decided to withdraw her candidacy amid frustration with the party’s lengthy vetting process.

While Brundage conceded the process has been akin to a “roller coaster,” he pointed to issues with other candidates. (To see what happened to local Green party candidate Erik Schomann, click here.)

“It’s frustrating ... but the way things have turned out, you can see why. The (local) Green party candidate is out due to a lack of vetting. I joked with my wife this morning, ‘Who vetted Justin Trudeau?’” quipped Brundage, referring to the scandal that erupted last night when an image of Trudeau surfaced showing him in blackface when he was a 29-year-old teacher.

“I’m pretty proud of the NDP and its vetting process. It’s very stringent,” said Brundage.

While proud, he also admits the process has presented challenges; fundraising and other initiatives have been put on hold.

“You can’t fundraise without a candidate,” he said. 

He also thinks the delays could hurt the party’s chances, but hopes there is time to make up for that.

The local NDP experienced similar issues during the last federal election when candidate Jacob Kearey-Moreland was “dumped” and long-time NDPer Richard Banigan stepped up to be the candidate.

“Last time was very challenging as well,” he said. However, he said he’s “feeling a little more buoyant this time.”

He said party leader Jagmeet Singh’s performance to date has given the party a much-needed booster shot.

Brundage and fellow local NDPers attended Singh’s rally in Barrie yesterday. 

“We are very pleased the way (Singh) is out there doing his thing,” said Brundage.

The NDP leader’s reaction to the blackface incident last night, in which he said the issue was not about Trudeau but about the way that image will hurt people of colour, “was fantastic. We were delighted with that,” said Brundage.


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Dave Dawson

About the Author: Dave Dawson

Dave Dawson is community editor of OrilliaMatters.com
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