A second candidate seeks NDP nomination

Michele McCleave-Kennedy, Sault Ste. Marie Labour Council president, is seeking the NDP’s nomination to run for Sault MPP in the approaching provincial election campaign.

With a strong background in advocacy, McCleave-Kennedy was a part of the Community Adjustment Committee which looked at ways to address the challenges facing the Sault, and forwarded concerns to the round table with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau when he recently visited the community.

“We need to build a community that is resilient, has opportunity for our youth, and has economic diversity. I believe that the leadership skills I have developed as an advocate, community activist and small business owner are what is needed to strengthen and build a great community and future together,” McCleave-Kennedy wrote in a news release Tuesday.

An Algoma University graduate, McCleave-Kennedy has been an active member of the Ontario Secondary School Teachers Federation (OSSTF) for the last ten years, and has lobbied the government for changes to educational funding, health and safety issues, and WSIB legislation. 

“As an injured worker, I learned how to navigate the WSIB legislation, which eventually led to my becoming President of the local Labour Council, and more recently Vice-President of the Ontario Federation of Labour. My position as VP of the Ontario Federation of Labour allows me the opportunity to have a voice at a provincial table discussing issues pertinent to northern Ontario,” she wrote. 

As a member of the United Way board, McCleave-Kennedy stated “I am committed to ending poverty and reducing its impact on our community members. I have demonstrated this commitment by organizing and participating in Out of the Cold, Tampon Tuesday, and Easter Seals events.”

“My community activism began as a result of having personal experience with workplace injury and understanding the devastating impact of the loss of a regular pay cheque on families. We need to work collectively to find a solution to the food security issues in Sault Ste. Marie. Our future depends on raising healthy children into healthy adults and having a healthy and diverse workforce, and our taxes need to pay for an adequate income for all,” McCleave-Kennedy wrote.

McCleave-Kennedy’s announcement comes one day after local freelance journalist Sara McCleary announced her intention to seek the local NDP’s nomination.

The party’s nomination meeting for the Sault Ste. Marie riding will take place Apr. 26 at the Canadian Bushplane Heritage Centre.

Local Liberals are preparing for a nomination meeting soon.

Kara Flannigan was officially announced as the Green Party’s Sault candidate Apr. 12.

Sault MPP Ross Romano has already received the official nod from the Progressive Conservatives to run for reelection.

The provincial election will be held on or before June 7.