MEET NDP CANDIDATE KIM MCARTHUR-JACKSON

WE ASKED LOCAL CANDIDATES A SERIES OF QUESTIONS TO GET THEM INTRODUCED TO VOTERS

Kim McArthur-Jackson is the NDP MPP candidate for NorthumberlandPeterborough South in the 2022 provincial election.

Her name will be on the ballot on June 2 as the riding chooses its next MPP and Ontario its new leader.

To introduce residents to their local candidates, we asked McArthur-Jackson

and others to answer some quick questions. HERE'S A QUICK RUNDOWN: McArthur-Jackson, 42, of Campbellford, is the local NDP candidate, and is an intended parent admissions specialist.

PAST POLITICAL EXPERIENCE:

"I have volunteered for years in many different capacities, including (for)

Pride, (the) Social Justice Coalition, and the health coalition. Achieving intergenerational social justice for all has always been a priority for me."

HOW WOULD YOU GRADE THE PROVINCE'S COVID-19 RESPONSE AND WHY?

"Even as an optimist, I would have to grade the Conservative government's response to COVID-19 in many areas as an 'E.'

"The following is one very important example of the Conservative Ford government failure to get things done during COVID-19: Despite promising to fix long-term care, the Conservative Ford government sat back and watched thousands of residents die, rather than holding longterm care operators to account.

"Instead, the Conservative Ford government is giving out tens-of-thousands of beds to for-profit companies with ghastly records of care. In education, students and teachers were asked to do the impossible, with little support and unrealistic expectations."

IF ELECTED, I WILL ..."

"We have been though a lot in Ontario through the last few years. In 2022, our healthcare is in a crisis, the cost of housing is out of control, children living with autism have been basically ignored, (and) students have fallen behind in school.

"Health-care staff need more to get the job done, teachers need to be recognized and consulted, which will also go a long way to making a difference in improving education. Most of what we have been getting get from the Conservative premier and his government is platitudes.

"Money being spent is not going to where it is most needed. Andrea Horwath and I promise that will change with an NDP government.

"I will work hard to make sure we fix our healthcare, including seniors' care. In an NDP government led by Andrea, we will successfully tackle the high cost of living.

"Together with Andrea, I will make sure many more people have jobs that will pay the bills.

And as an NDP government, we will lead the way in Canada, finally resolving many affordable housing issues."