Newly elected
Contested nomination a good sign for the party, says Cavanagh
James Finnie will run for the NDP in Colchester North. He was chosen as the party’s candidate on Tuesday
The New Democrats have chosen a candidate for the provincial riding of Colchester North.
James Finnie, president of the Colchester Highland Games and Gathering Society, was the choice of 21 registered party members at the nomination meeting at Valley Elementary School Tuesday night.
Finnie won in a contested nomination against Corey Matheson.
“I look forward to the important job ahead of providing a voice that really represents the people of Colchester North,” said Finnie.
Finnie told the crowd of 60 in the school gym that he is the candidate to defeat Liberal incumbent Karen Casey, minister of education and early childhood development.
“It’s important we don’t underestimate Karen Casey; she’s a seasoned and experienced campaigner,” said Finnie. “The fight will be hard and the fight will be long. But who knows fighting better than a Scot?”
Finnie and his family moved to East Mountain from Scotland eight years ago and he became a Canadian citizen in 2013.
Danny Cavanagh, president of the Nova Scotia Federation of Labour, told the crowd a contested nomination is a good sign for the party in Colchester North.
“I don’t remember a contested nomination and I don’t ever remember seeing this many people in the room for a nomination meeting,” he said. “We can win this riding, there’s not a doubt in my mind.”
Gary Burrill, leader of the Nova Scotia New Democratic Party, was guest speaker at the meeting. He spoke to the audience about making tuition free at Nova Scotia Community Colleges, raising the minimum wage to $15 and making sure that every family with a dependent child had enough money to buy food at the store rather than relying on foodbanks.
Lenore Zann, MLA for TruroBible Hill-Millbrook-Salmon River, spoke about protecting the environment so people can live long happy lives.