Valerie Kennedy
Nippissing-Timiskaming NDP Candidate

FORMER PRESIDENT | UNIFOR LOCAL 103 (ONTARIO NORTHLAND - DYNO NOBEL) (retired) Hello, the next Federal election will be one of the most consequential elections in over 40 years for the Nipissing-Timiskaming riding and for our great country. Nipissing-Timiskaming riding like other parts of Canada has been challenged over the last number of years from the COVID pandemic, homeless and housing crisis, global climate change, opioid epidemic, health care, relations with our First Nations people especially after the revelations of wide spread abuse of First Nations children at Residential schools. The cost of food and shelter continues to be a massive problem for all Canadians, add all of this to US tariffs on Canadian goods. The future needs a change in direction, not tired old cliches, like Axe the Tax, to help Canadians prosper into the future. Canadians and Nipissing-Timiskaming residents need someone who will be a real advocate for them. Someone who will stand up and fight for what they need now and in the future. Someone who will put their needs first, someone who will fight for each and every citizen in the riding. That person needs to have dogged determination, integrity, experience, empathy and drive to fight for all citizens of the riding. I can honestly say that Valerie Kennedy, is that person. I have known Valerie for over 20 years in our roles as worker representatives at the Ontario Northland Railway. Valerie has vast experience as an advocate for not only her fellow workers, but for her community, region, province and country. Valerie, was involved in every aspect of our union in her role as an elected worker representative for Unifor Local 103. Valerie was an advocate and leader for her members. Valerie was on the grievance, arbitration and bargaining committees at our Local Union. Valerie was a leader on these committees, she was a forceful, determined, insightful fighter for her members at each stage of the grievance and arbitration process. Valerie was involved in all aspects of collective agreement negotiations with Ontario Northland. Each time we were successful in ratifying a new agreement without the need for a work stoppage. Valerie’s most important role of all was her role in fighting for the communities and people that would have been affected by the attempted privatization of Ontario Northland and cancellation of the Northlander passenger train in 2012-13. At every meeting our union had with, municipal, provincial and federal leaders, Valerie spoke of the importance of Ontario Northland and the Northlander had on the communities and people affected by the proposed cancellation and privatization. She brought a fierce determination and insight on the negative impacts this privatization would have on the region and communities served by Ontario Northland. I without hesitation endorse Valerie Kennedy as the NDP candidate for the next Federal election in Nipissing-Timiskaming. Brian Kelly Former President Unifor Local 103 (Ontario Northland - Dyno Nobel) Retired