Shawbonquit NDP candidate for Sudbury by-election

Suzanne Shawbonquit wins the chance to run in Feb. 5  Sudbury by-election.
Suzanne Shawbonquit wins the chance to run in Feb. 5 Sudbury by-election.

By Heather Campbell

SUDBURY – The race can now begin. Suzanne Shawbonquit, citizen of Atikameksheng Anishnabek, was nominated on Sunday, January 11 to represent the NDP candidate in the Sudbury by-election. Her nomination has made history with the first Anishnabe to run in an Ontario by-election.

Shawbonquit won with over 50 per cent support taking the lead from the other candidates Dave Battaino, former Big Brothers and Big Sisters executive director and NDP candidate who ran against Bartolucci in 2007 and John Caruso a businessman has run for City of Greater Sudbury mayor spot in 2003 and as a councillor in 2006.

Not only has the news of politicians resigning and switching parties drawn attention from across the province, but now with Shawbonquit in the race, if she wins, it will be a first for Queen’s Park to welcome an Anishnabe Kwe to the Ontario Legislature.

“To win as an Anishnabe woman is amazing, we are making history today!” said Shawbonquit after the announcement of her win. “This is our treaty area and Anishinabek have never engaged at the provincial level. We are making history and we are definitely going to get engaged. It is important for the province and the city, and for us to be engaged,” said Shawbonquit.

The by-election is scheduled for February 5th and is an important seat to both the NDP and Liberals. Rick Bartolucci held the Liberal seat for close to 20 years until Joe Cimino won over Liberal candidate Andrew Olivier. With Shawbonquit now in the race she will face off with Glenn Thibeault, the former NDP MPP for Sudbury who converted to the Liberal party this past December. The Progressive Conservative candidate is Paula Peroni, David Robinson, a Laurentian University professor is representing the Green Party and independent candidate Andrew Olivier.

The NDP leader Andrea Horwath made the trip to Sudbury and helped get the nomination meeting underway and is expected to return in support of Shawbonquit’s campaign.

Shawbonquit ran unsuccessfully in her home community of Atikameksheng Anishnabek, however it became the inspiration for putting her name forward as an NDP candidate. Although new to provincial politics she is ready to fight to retain the NDP seat at Queen’s Park.