Community News

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT RIDING, PROVINCIAL CANDIDATES

The 2022 provincial election is fast approaching, and in NorthumberlandPeterborough South, a number of area candidates are campaigning with hopes of becoming the riding's next MPP.

Here's a rundown of what you should know about the riding, the top issues at the forefront of the election, and who's looking for your votes on June 2.

THE RIDING:

According to Canada's latest census data, the riding had a population of 118,756 as of 2021.

Stretching a large area, this riding includes Northumberland County, parts of Peterborough, including the townships of AsphodelNorwood and OtonabeeSouth Monaghan, and a portion of Clarington in Durham. Redistribution in recent years excluded the Quinte area from the riding.

The Northumberland County population - 89,365 as of 2021 census data makes up a large portion of the riding. More than half the riding population 70,170 - is between the ages of 15 and 64; about 32,100 are 65 and older.

The area is known for its agriculture, rolling hills, innovation, tourism and more, with several rural hamlets in the riding.

Progressive Conservative candidate and incumbent David Piccini has represented the riding as MPP since the 2018 general election, after defeating then-incumbent and Liberal candidate Lou Rinaldi, and NDP candidate Jana Papuckoski. While Piccini secured the most votes 27,386 total - it turned out to be a tight race for second between the NDP and Liberals here, with 14,804 votes cast for Papuckoski and 14,603 votes cast for Rinaldi.

Voter turnout was around 67 per cent.

THE CANDIDATES:

Incumbent David Piccini is the Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario candidate.

Jeff Kawzenuk is the Ontario Liberal Party candidate.

Kim McArthur-Jackson is the New Democratic Party candidate.

Lisa Francis is the Green Party of Ontario candidate.

Vanessa Head is the Ontario Party candidate.

Joshua Chalhoub is the New Blue Party of Ontario candidate.

Note for readers: These were the candidates confirmed at press deadline. See our candidate profiles online via northumberlandnews.com.

THE ISSUES:

The new MPP will be tasked with tackling a number of big issues in the riding.

Among some of these issues at the forefront of this election are affordability, the housing crisis, healthcare, long-term care and mental health improvements; plus, the opioid/ overdose epidemic, environmental concerns, including tackling climate change and a green economy; pandemic/economic recovery, jobs, rural connectivity, reconciliation, poverty, inequality, and more.

PROVINCIAL ELECTION

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2022-05-19T07:00:00.0000000Z

2022-05-19T07:00:00.0000000Z

https://communitynews.pressreader.com/article/281535114597310

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