‘Work together’ with feds, province: MP
Status of Women Minister and Peterborough-Kawartha MP Maryam Monsef formally congratulated every candidate in the municipal election in her riding on Wednesday — including Diane Therrien, the new mayor-elect of Peterborough.
Monsef also called on municipal politicians to “work together” with the provincial and federal governments to ensure Peterborough-Kawartha prospers.
“That includes addressing our housing shortage, continuing to create jobs and grow the economy, building infrastructure and providing supports for the middle class and for those looking to join it,” she said in a written statement issued Wednesday.
In her statement Monsef recognized all the mayors in her riding : Carolyn Amyotte (North Kawartha Township), Andy Mitchell (Selwyn Township), Jim Martin (Havelock-Belmont-Methuen Township), Janet Clarkson (Trent Lakes), J. Murray Jones (Douro-Dummer Township) and Diane Therrien (Peterborough).
She also thanked all those leaving public office for their dedication and service.
Monsef ran for mayor of Peterborough in 2014 and lost narrowly to Daryl Bennett before running in the federal election for the Liberals in 2015.
She won and was named a cabinet minister.
She said in her statement that everyone who ran deserves credit — win or lose.
“Putting your name on a ballot in hopes of representing your community is admirable,” she stated.
She also thanked voters for doing their civic duty.
Voter turnout in the Peterborough municipal election rose from 46.95 per cent in 2014 to 48.31 per cent on Monday.
“Democracy only works if people exercise their right to vote,” Monsef stated.
“Thank you to everyone who went to the polls and made sure their voice was heard.”