Perth-Wellington New Democrats chose Western University journalism professor and community activist Romayne Smith Fullerton to be their candidate in the next provincial election.
Smith Fullerton described at the nomination meeting in Stratford on May 26, how she came to throw her hat in the ring. She said what propelled her from the world of academia into the public arena was the plan to develop a below water level gravel pit on a flood plain adjacent to the Thames River.
“It seemed so unfair,” she said. “It seemed wrong to me that a company with a poor track record of following the rules at another pit they own should be able to exploit the fragile land along the Thames and forever change the area, and the lives of my neighbours, many who have lived in the [area] for generations.”
“Giving voice to their concerns was rewarding,” she said
Smith Fullerton said her campaign will focus on a process of sharing information, exchanging and respecting different perspectives and the opportunity to listen and learn from residents of Perth-Wellington about their concerns.
She noted the process was not about her. “It ought to be about all of you. It ought to be about hearing your concerns, your ideas, hearing what you want from those you choose to represent you. I can listen – and package those concerns and move them forward so that together we can translate interest in issues into concrete political action for change in the larger community of Perth-Wellington,” she added.
Smith Fullerton’s selection was the first time in a number of years that the provincial riding association had a contested nomination. With the announcement of the results, runner-up and former provincial and federal candidate Ellen Papenburg of Drayton graciously moved that the meeting’s decision be made unanimous.
During the meeting both candidates responded to a broad range of questions submitted by members, including: how to connect young people to the NDP, the party’s stance on sustainable agriculture, how to encourage greater use of alternative energy sources despite the negative experience with wind farms, the party’s position on the Liberal-Conservative vote on Bill 115 and its effect on collective bargaining rights of teachers and education workers in Ontario, and approaches to fighting the next election.
