ESPANOLA—Michael Mantha has been acclaimed as the NDP candidate in Algoma-Manitoulin for the next provincial election.
Elected since 2011, Mr. Mantha received the nod from the local association on Saturday afternoon.
“I have loved representing Algoma-Manitoulin for the last seven years and very much look forward to continuing,” said Mr. Mantha. “My work has just begun and I am excited to continue being a strong voice for the North.”
Several NDP party members gathered in Espanola on Saturday, March 25, along with guest speaker France Gelinas to nominate Mr. Mantha and elect new and past executive members to the Riding Association.
Mr. Mantha welcomes to the executive, co-presidents Emily Fox and Emily Roach, vice-president Marc Lehoux, recording secretary Chantal Vaillancourt, treasurer Janet Hickman, membership secretary Chrissy-Lynn Trudel. They were accompanied by several executive at large members representing the vast areas of Algoma-Manitoulin, including Linda Willson, Jolene Courtemanche, Irene Breckon, Grant Buck, Craig Maxwell, Vicky Arsenault, Glen Humphreys, Cindy Haddow, Dennis Bastien, Bud Wildman, Betty French and Steven Wells.
“I’m proud to have the voices and involvement of our youth as we welcome Emily Fox and Emily Roach, Grade 11 students, as co-presidents,” said Mr. Mantha. “Accompanied by a great dynamic group of individuals they will lead our team into the next campaign. I am confident as a team we will do great things for Algoma-Manitoulin. A number of issues remain that we need to keep working on, hydro costs, health care and education to name a few. As we continue to move forward, we must continue to bring these issues to the forefront.”
The meeting ended shortly before 5 pm on Saturday afternoon. Although the annual general meeting is over, individuals interested in getting involved are encouraged to reach out to Mr. Mantha and the riding association.
“Things are going to be exciting,” said Mr. Mantha.
The next provincial election is scheduled for June 2018, but Mr. Mantha suggested that no one should be surprised if the provincial government calls a snap election, possibly as early as this summer.
