• When I was very young my father taught me about Canada. I would listen as he would talk with our working-class immigrant friends and neighbors about our country and our leaders. I would ask questions and as I got older, we began to discuss ideas for how the nation should be. I always found myself challenging the status quo, and pushing for what I came to understand as the progressive social justice politics championed by Canada’s NDP.

 

• It also became clear that if I was ever going to win those arguments with my dad, I needed to go to university - and I became the first woman in my family to do so. Coming from a modest background, even one which valued education so strongly, presented major barriers.

 

• Along the way I took on whatever jobs I could. Each one taught me something new about the value of work and workers of all kinds. Some things you can’t learn in school - cleaning airplane toilets, for example, taught me to be a better airplane passenger! Even more valuable lessons came from retail work, administrative jobs, and whatever else I could. Nothing could stop me from the goal I was committed to!

 

• Not even a diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis could slow me down for long. Getting MS under control and getting back to my studies took patience and perseverance. But I fought it and I fight it today.

 

• When I finally received my Doctorate in Political Science all the hurdles I faced made the achievement much more special. Also, it didn’t deter my dad one bit. We still debate today and I still love it!

 

• I joined the Political Science program at Laurentian University as an Assistant Professor. Since then, Sudbury has been home, a place to live and grow with my partner and his daughter. I fell in love with it!

 

• At Laurentian, I met and taught excellent students with diverse interests and backgrounds. I continued researching and exploring ideas in areas of policy and political systems where Canada still has to grow - particularly our commitment to ending violence against women and to reconciliation. I worked with students to build upon the successful model parliament program, where the best and the brightest demonstrated their knowledge and skills to the backdrop of the House of Commons.

 

• Seeing some of these students pursuing successful careers in politics is incredibly rewarding. Having them on my team, supporting me in this incredible journey, is a true honour.

 

• But it does make the devastation at Laurentian University all the more heartbreaking for me.

 

• I feel certain - if we had the chance to bring the city together to work the problem - to build a stronger Laurentian - we could have saved jobs, saved programs, ensured students could graduate in their chosen programs, and kept our community whole.

 

• It seems like the administration and the provincial government simply don’t care about those goals. It seems like the federal Liberals had no fight in them, avoiding the issue until called out by so many. I want them all to know that Laurentian and our community is worth caring about. It is worth the fight!

 

• At Laurentian, I met and taught excellent students with diverse interests and backgrounds. I continued researching and exploring ideas in areas of policy and political systems where Canada still has to grow - particularly our commitment to ending violence against women. I worked with students to build upon the successful model parliament program, where the best and the brightest demonstrated their knowledge and skills to the backdrop of the House of Commons.

 

• Our New Democrat team, Jamie West. France Gélinas, Charlie Angus, Carol Hughes and our leader Jagmeet Singh know this. They are willing to listen - hosting event after event to hear from the people affected. They are willing to build and support a movement around this issue, and they are willing to fight in the House of Commons and in the media for this community.

 

• New Democrats understand - we are standing up not just to fight for Laurentian University, but also for the next battle our city faces, and the ones to follow after that. Building and strengthening our community, doing more for people - it’s what sets our elected officials apart in ridings across the country, and right here in Sudbury.

 

• Friends, that is why I am running to be your candidate in the next Federal election - to turn the values I was taught and the knowledge I’ve gained into action on the issues that matter. To show the value of listening to the people of Sudbury, of working together to build our community, of fighting for them on the issues that matter: Pharmacare, long term care, reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples, protecting women and children from domestic violence, and the ongoing crisis at Laurentian - these issues will define the next campaign.

 

• As Sudburians mark their ballots in the coming election, they’ll ask themselves ‘Who is listening to us? Who will fight for us? Who will build with us?” and they will cast their vote for Nadia Verrelli, your NDP Candidate, and together we will win!