The April 28 federal election will be the first in the new riding of Elgin-St. Thomas-London South. And myFM is profiling all four candidates vying to represent constituents in Ottawa.
The NDP nominee is Paul Pighin, a London native who represented the party provincially in the 2007 election.
A memorable campaign for a couple of reasons.
As an elite athlete, he learned the value of discipline, resilience, and perseverance—lessons that would serve him well in the face of significant personal challenges.
Pighin has spent much of his life advocating for equality, inclusion, and justice.
He has a long association with the party, serving as a constituency assistant to London Fanshawe MP Irene Mathyssen and subsequently continued in the same role for Lindsay Mathyssen.
He was a member of the Canadian National Gymnastics team, competing until his early twenties and retiring after the World Championships in 1991.
Pighin is inspired to promote inclusivity and fairness for all. For the last 20 years, he has been a tireless advocate for people living with HIV/AIDS, and 2SLGBTQI+and disability rights.
He champions systemic change and promotes inclusivity and fairness for all, especially when it comes to healthcare.
On the campaign trail, Pighin describes himself as a people person.
Although U.S. President Donald Trump and his tariffs are dominating the conversation, Pighin stresses we can’t lose sight of constituents and the local issues that impact them.
Pighin is particularly opposed to privatization, especially in areas like healthcare.
He is adamant that the NDP needs to get credit for government programs now in place that were designed and promoted by the party. “We worked hard for everyone in this country,” he stressed.
You can hear our full interview with Paul Pighin below.
Written by Ian McCallum
