ESPANOLA—Heather Wilson of Espanola confirmed she is seeking the federal Liberal nomination for the riding of Algoma-Manitoulin-Kapuskasing (AMK).
Ms. Wilson is currently the financial controller of Canadian Tire in Espanola. She has lived in the region for over 18 years with her husband and three sons. Ms. Wilson said in a press release, “I have grown up in a very political family so the commitment to the Liberal party is something I have been surrounded by all of my life. I am passionate about the health, wealth and happiness of all citizens of this riding and I know that my diverse skill set will contribute to my success as the member of parliament for AMK.”
Ms. Wilson possesses an honours degree in English and Women’s Studies and a master’s degree in Interdisciplinary Humanities with a focus on gender equality and social justice.
Born and raised on a dairy farm near Owen Sound, Ms. Wilson lived on the very farm where her grandfather and her uncle, the late MPP Farquhar Oliver, held fundraising events for Canada’s first female MP Agnes MacPhail of Grey-Bruce (of the former United Farmers Party). Ms. Wilson spent 10 years as a hotel financial controller in Toronto and then Bermuda. She said she believes that living and working in another country is a good way to learn to appreciate all that we have here in Canada. Ms. Wilson and her husband owned a tourist camp (Widgawa Lodge) in Whitefish Falls from 1995-2011. She has also worked in financial administration at Manitoulin Health Centre and Laurentian University. Ms. Wilson said that her involvement in both public and private business exposed her to the challenges and rewards of operating in the North. “I know how to manage a business efficiently and effectively and I think this is something that government should be thinking about when charged with handling taxpayers’ money.”
Ms. Wilson said that she is passionate about the health of all Northern communities where all citizens can participate in a healthy, productive and peaceful lifestyle.
The riding of AMK includes Manitoulin Island to the south, east to the city of Sudbury boundaries, west to St. Joseph Island and north to Kapuskasking and Hearst. This makes the 103,000 square kilometres in the riding a challenge for the MP.
The Liberal candidate for the riding will be chosen by Liberal Party members sometime after the party’s Biennial Convention in February 2014. To participate in the nomination process, party members vote for nominees in a delegate selection meeting called by the local federal Liberal Party executive and the chosen candidate will then run in the federal election expected to be held in 2015.
