The former deputy grand chief of Nishnawbe Aski Nation will look to return the Thunder Bay-Superior North riding back to the New Democratic Party in the upcoming federal election

THUNDER BAY - The federal race in the Thunder Bay-Superior North riding is taking shape and members of the New Democratic Party are hopeful their candidate, who the riding party president describes as a fierce advocate for the north, will help colour the region orange again.

In two nomination meetings held on Saturday in Nipigon and Sunday in Thunder Bay, Anna Betty Achneepineskum was declared as the NDP candidate for Thunder Bay-Superior North.

“When we were doing our candidate search and we were talking about the qualities we wanted in a candidate that we would like and somebody who cared about the north, Anna Betty’s name came up and she is a fierce advocate for the north,” said Thunder Bay-Superior North NDP president, Janet Wright.

Jay Stapleton, who sough the NDP candidacy in the 2011 provincial election that was ultimately won by Steve Mantis, put his name forward last month to run as a federal candidate for the party but withdrew shortly after. Stapleton said he would be supporting Achneepineskum and no other candidates stepped forward.

Achneepineskum served as deputy grand chief with Nishnawbe Aski Nation and Wright said even before her role with NAN, she was a strong advocate for people and the north.

“She’s a woman with vast experience, dedication to people, and to making things right and looking for justice,” she said. “Even prior to her being deputy grand chief of NAN, she was involved in child advocacy and the missing and murdered Indigenous women’s movement.”

Going into the federal election this fall, Achneepineskum said she wants to focus on economic sustainability and health care.

“I want us to support local businesses and local entrepreneurs and ensure we have the skills and trades people here to be employed in their own communities,” she said.

“The other item I want to focus on is expanding and getting more involved in health care. We have a crisis when it comes to drug addiction, not only in Thunder Bay and within our riding, but all across the country. I believe the federal government needs to be in partnerships with the provinces.”

Achneepineskum added she would like to ensure all communities, not just larger urban centres, have more resources to deal with the issue of drug addiction, as well as more prevention and awareness programs and stronger support for police.

NDP members are hopeful with Achneepineskum as the candidate they will turn the riding orange again and return it to the party.

Bruce Hyer held the Thunder Bay-Superior North seat for the NDP from 2008 until 2012 when he left the party to sit as an independent before joining the Green Party in 2013. Patty Hajdu would go on to win the 2015 federal election for the LIberal Party.

“We are going to work really hard to win this election,” Achneepineskum said. “I believe that we do have an opportunity. So we are going to work hard to ensure we get the seat.”

“We have a strong candidate and I think it will be a very interesting and competitive campaign,” Wright added.

Hajdu will be seeking reelection for the Liberal Party and former Thunder Bay city councilor and five-time mayoral candidate, Frank Pullia, was acclaimed as the candidate for the Conservative Party.