An Ontario Liberal Party spokesperson has confirmed in an email to myFM former St. Thomas mayor Heather Jackson will be acclaimed Monday (March 21) as their Elgin-Middlesex-London candidate in the June provincial election.
The spokesperson advised the party only sought female nominees in this riding.
The email noted, women-only designations have been used in 25 ridings “to nominate a variety of strong female candidates.”
The party spokesperson suggested, “Heather Jackson has a fantastic record of public service and is the best person to represent the people of Elgin—Middlesex—London at Queen’s Park.
“As a former mayor, Heather has shown the strong, steady local leadership that Ontario Liberals plan to bring to our province.”
myFM had requested an interview to ascertain why Elgin-Middlesex-London was one of the 25 ridings so designated but we were advised, the party “won’t be able to offer up anybody for an interview.”
The email stated, “Ontario Liberals are committed to gender parity in our team for 2022. In previous elections all parties have treated gender parity as an aspirational goal, but under Steven Del Duca’s leadership we are using real tools to make it a reality.
“Steven is building the strong, diverse team needed to beat Doug Ford’s Conservatives and lead Ontario after the 2022 election.”
Central Elgin Ward 2 councillor Dennis Crevits had submitted his nomination papers and signed up more than 250 members back in January.
The designation is “not a fair process,” he told myFM.
Crevits was the acting riding president after St. Thomas councillor Lori Baldwin-Sands recently stepped down from the post.
He added, “If it was women only, the local riding association could have pursued other women to run. And that would have happened had it been pre-determined.”
Rob Flack has been acclaimed for the Conservatives and Andy Kroeker for the NDP.
Written by Ian McCallum
