LIBERALS PARACHUTE IN CANDIDATE AFTER FAILING TO FIND LOCAL RUNNER

Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com

PARRY SOUND-MUSKOKA — A Toronto Catholic school French teacher — who has just been recruited by the Liberals to run as their candidate in the next month’s federal election — will be in the riding Monday campaigning to be MP.

Jovanie Nicoyishakiye, who sought the Don Valley East nomination two weeks ago, says she’s “an educator, philanthropist and social activist.

“I am a long time member of the Liberal Party of Canada,” she wrote on Facebook page.

MP Navdeep Bains, national campaign co-chair of the party, informed local Liberals Sunday.

Nicoyishakiye said late Sunday night that she only learned herself of her successful application Saturday night.

She told MuskokaTODAY.com tonight that she is looking forward to “canvassing” starting tomorrow.

And that she was last in Parry Sound-Muskoka in June visiting friends.

Nicoyishakiye said in a brief phone interview that she immigrated to Canada from Burundi, in central Africa, as a young child.

She was also previously chair of the Etobicoke Centre riding in 2018.

Bains informed Patrick Dempsey, the riding’s electoral district association (EDA) chair in this letter:

“I’m pleased to share that Jovanie Nicoyishakiye has been acclaimed as the Liberal Candidate for Parry Sound—Muskoka in the next federal election, and will continue building on our hard work to keep Canada moving forward.

“With a strong focus on important new engagement with Canadians, the Team Trudeau nominations process helps ensure we’re ready to re-elect our dedicated Liberal team in Parliament and continue to elect even more talented, diverse, and hardworking community leaders as Liberal MPs across Canada, whenever the next campaign eventually arrives.

“As we look forward to the important work ahead of us, the hope and hard work of Liberals across Canada will ensure our candidates and teams are ready to run competitive campaigns, and earn another mandate from Canadians — including right here in Parry Sound-Muskoka.”

The Liberal party’s nomination site notes: “Before any nomination meeting is called, the EDA must be able to document a thorough search for potential contestants from communities or backgrounds who are underrepresented in Parliament — including but not limited to candidates who are women; Black, Indigenous, or people of colour; LGBTQ2; people with disabilities; and marginalized communities.”

Dempsey said local Liberals did try to find a candidate within the riding after Trisha Cowie opted not to run a third time.

But they were unable to find someone the party would approve.

He said Friday that he was determined not to let the party parachute in a candidate.

Nicoyishakiye recently posted the following profile on her Facebook page while seeking the nomination Don Valley East nomination:

“I am Jovanie Nicoyishakiye, an educator, philanthropist and social activist. I am a long time member of the Liberal Party of Canada.

“My involvement includes 3 years as a Chair of the Etobicoke Centre Federal riding association; I am also the ambassador of Angel Foundation for learning within my school community from 2012 until now. I joined the representation of my community as a French teacher since 2017 to date. In 2018, I founded EFONY, a non for profit organization.

“I am ready to voice out your issues, my fellow Canadians of Don Valley East. I know that most of us are looking for the reopening of the economy and that in our community, cheap housing programs, health and safety for each and one of you, jobs that pay you a living and the improvement of the environment matter.

“I will also continue to advocate for our youth in the House of Parliament in Ottawa and I will speak up and loud for the equity and inclusion of all people from all backgrounds that live in the riding of DVE.

“So vote for me when the day comes for the nomination contest of the federal liberal candidate for DVE. If you’re looking for compassion, integrity, accountability and fairness in your representation in the Parliament, I am the one you need.”

Email [email protected]

28 years of ‘Local Online Journalism’

Twitter: @muskokatoday, Facebook: mclairmont1

Leave comments at end of story

SUBSCRIBE for $25 by e-transferring to [email protected]

Or go online to https://muskokatoday.com/subscriptions