Valerie Kennedy | Federal NDP Candidate for Nipissing

A Committed Community Advocate for Making Life More Affordable for Everyday People

As your Nipissing-Timiskaming Federal New Democratic Party (NDP) Candidate, Valerie's platform is rooted in integrity, community engagement, and a commitment to addressing pressing issues facing Northern communities. She aims to advocate for improved healthcare access, sustainable economic development, and comprehensive support for marginalized groups, including the homeless and Indigenous communities.

Her vision includes promoting affordable housing, enhancing mental health resources, and ensuring fair tax policies that benefit all Canadians. Valerie is particularly passionate about environmental sustainability, emphasizing the urgent need for climate action and improved

resource management.

As she embarks on this new political journey, Valerie Kennedy is dedicated to making a tangible difference in the lives of her constituents, ensuring every voice is heard and every concern is addressed. Her blend of experience, community involvement, and unwavering commitment to progressive values positions her as a formidable candidate for the NDP in Nipissing-Timiskaming.

Click here to read a message of thanks and gratitude from Valerie, to all Nipissing-Timiskaming NDP Members and Supporters

Meet Your Candidate

Valerie’s commitment to her community is evident through her active participation in various organizations. She has served as Vice President and Delegate for UNIFOR 103 Rail and contributed to establishing the Jackrabbit ski program for the Englehart Nordic Ski Club as a board member and ski instructor. Recently, she joined the Englehart Area Artists, showcasing her passion for the arts. Politically engaged, Valerie has been a committee member for the NDP Timmins-James Bay Federal Riding Association and has canvassed for local NDP candidates. She has also advocated for essential services like the Ontario Northland Railway Passenger Rail Service at Queen’s Park.

Valerie’s professional career spans over 40 years, starting with her tenure at Ontario Northland Railway from 1981 until her retirement in 2022. Throughout her time there, she held various roles, including Customer Service Representative, Yard Coordinator, and Car Control Specialist, managing freight systems and ensuring safe communication between train crews and rail traffic control.

After retiring, Valerie transitioned to community-focused roles. She currently serves as a Library Clerk at the Englehart Public Library, excelling in customer service, cataloguing, and community outreach. Additionally, she is a Teacher on Call and Education Assistant with the North Eastern Catholic District School Board, supporting educational programming and student well-being.

Valerie Kennedy has been a dedicated member of the Nipissing Timiskaming community for decades. Her journey began in Englehart, Ontario, where she has made significant personal and professional contributions. Valerie has pursued a strong educational background, acquiring numerous certifications in library services, health and safety, and rail management, demonstrating her commitment to continuous learning and professional development.

Valerie lives in Englehart with her husband, Jim Kennedy, who runs a registered massage therapy business. Together, they are committed to fostering a healthy and vibrant community. Valerie enjoys engaging with her community through various social media platforms, including Facebook and Instagram, where she shares insights into her fitness bootcamp and initiatives aimed at promoting health and wellness.

Support The Campaign

Volunteers Needed

Join Team Kennedy!

We’re building a movement for better healthcare, housing, transportation, and workers’ rights—but we need your help to make it happen!

Ways to Get Involved:

DELIVERING SIGNS – Help spread the word across our communities.
CANVASSING – Knock on doors and talk to neighbors about our vision.
PHONE BANKING – Connect with voters from the comfort of your home.

Are you in Nipissing–Timiskaming? Check out the riding map below!

SIGNUP TODAY – Contact Valerie Kennedy, your NDP candidate, to get started.

JOIN THE MOVEMENT

Donate to the Campaign

Support Our Campaign for a Better Nipissing–Timiskaming!

Every dollar counts in our fight for a stronger, more just future for our communities. Your donation helps us reach more voters, spread our message, and push for real change on issues like healthcare, transportation, and workers’ rights. Chip in today and be part of the movement to elect a strong NDP voice for Nipissing–Timiskaming! Sure! Here’s a short and impactful donation request: Support Our Campaign for a Better Nipissing–Timiskaming! Every dollar counts in our fight for a stronger, more just future for our communities. Your donation helps us reach more voters, spread our message, and push for real change on issues like healthcare, transportation, and workers’ rights. Chip in today and be part of the movement to elect a strong NDP voice for Nipissing–Timiskaming!

Thank you for your support

DONATE HERE

Wondering if you live in the Nipissing-Timiskaming Federal Riding?

Nipissing-Timiskaming Federal Riding Map

CLICK HERE for a full list of communities and territories.

If you live here, then you're a part of the Nipissing-Timiskaming Federal Riding!

If you're still unsure, contact us and we can help you figure it out!

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NDP Ontario
Virtual Training

With an election coming soon it is more important than ever that our activists, volunteers, and local campaign teams are election ready.

Click here for our upcoming training sessions on campaign skills and tools happening on March 24th, 25th, 26th, 27th, and 28th.

Each training has two sessions which will cover the same content. Find more information on the RSVP page, and attend the time that works best for you.

NDP TRAINING SCHEDULE

Riding Map

Press

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 3, 2025 New Democrats choose Valerie Kennedy as candidate for Nipissing-Timiskaming OTTAWA – Members of the Nipissing-Timiskaming NDP came together and voted for Valerie Kennedy to be the next candidate for the upcoming federal election. Kennedy works with the Englehart Public Library and fills in as an education assistant and teacher on call with the North Eastern Catholic District School Board. “Valerie is a great choice for the people of Nipissing-Timiskaming – she’s smart, driven and ready to bring attention to Northern issues,” said NDP leader Jagmeet Singh. “While the Liberals and Conservatives focus on serving billionaires and giant corporations, Valerie understands the importance of having real working people in Parliament – fighting non-stop for everyday families. Affordable groceries and bills, more homes in the North and better health care, without having to travel – Valerie’s priorities are her community’s priorities.” Kennedy has worked with former NDP MP Charlie Angus for years and is ready to keep up his legacy of integrity and tireless work ethic for residents. "The Liberals don’t come to the North, and they don’t do a thing for Northern communities, so issues like our infrastructure, housing and food prices have just gotten worse and worse. People need a government that will take Northern needs seriously,” said Kennedy. “The Conservatives won’t do it, they care more about helping big companies pay less, and they’ll cut from us all in order to do it. We’ve seen what New Democrats have been able to do in Parliament. They’ve found a way to win universal dental care and pharmacare for our families, and they’ve fought for, and won, hospitals for the North. With the NDP, you get MPs who work to lower your costs and improve your lives and communities. I’m running so I can do all I can to help our Northern communities.”

2025 NIPISSING - TIMISKAMING FEDERAL DEBATE

Endorsements

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

FEDERAL MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT (MP) FOR THE RIDING OF TIMMINS-JAMES BAY (since 2004). I am thrilled that Valerie Kennedy will be the NDP candidate in Nipissing-Timiskaming region. I have worked with Val for years on worker rights, defending the railway, and fighting for our northern communities. She is fearless.

CharlieAngus.ca | Facebook

Valerie Kennedy Nippissing-Timiskaming NDP Candidate