“Every Sudburian has a story. They all have an issue that’s the most important to them, even the ones who aren’t politically engaged. The only way they will tell you their story, share with you their issue, become engaged, is if they believe you are actually listening.”
- Nadia Verrelli

Nadia Verrelli has taught university students for over a decade. She learned that you can’t be a great teacher without being a great listener, and that you can’t engage students in learning without being engaged yourself. That commitment to engagement led her to be involved in the Laurentian University Political Science Association’s annual Model Parliament event, where she worked with the program’s best and brightest.

It also guided her in her research, and in her popular engagement in politics. Nadia appeared regularly on panels with colleagues and politicians to explore issues of democracy and the Canadian constitution. She appears regularly as a pundit on regional media, commenting on elections and other significant political news.

Her work on violence against women is where her role as a listener has been most valuable. Interacting with those affected, in order to help tell their stories and apply them to policy would be impossible otherwise. Nadia has made this area of research and writing a focus of much of her career.

Most recently, she has been enjoying listening to the elders of the local NDP, and learning from their stories. As Member of Parliament, she is looking forward to giving space to Sudbury’s diverse voices, so they can be heard.

“New Democrats listen and actually want to engage the community to find solutions. It’s what sets them apart and makes them great constituency politicians. I am eager to bring the same engagement to Sudbury.”
- Nadia Verrelli