Ontario NDP Leader Marit Stiles is putting Peterborough in the political spotlight, calling the city an important part of her party’s preparations for the next provincial election.
Stiles and members of the Official Opposition are in Peterborough for their annual caucus retreat, where discussions are focused on legislative priorities and election preparations.
Stiles spoke with PTBOTODAY.ca.
Stiles described Peterborough as a historically significant riding in provincial elections.
“It’s no coincidence that we are in Peterborough for our retreat. For many decades, this has been a bellwether riding. The work to defeat this government begins here,” said Stiles.
The NDP leader also pointed to her party’s recent byelection performances in Scarborough Southwest and Hamilton East–Stoney Creek as reasons for optimism heading into the next legislative session.
Stiles highlighted the election of NDP candidate Fatima Shaban in Scarborough Southwest and said her party nearly doubled its vote total in Hamilton East–Stoney Creek.
She argued those results demonstrate growing support for the NDP and suggested the next provincial election would be a contest between her party and the governing Progressive Conservatives.
Stiles also outlined affordability and government accountability as priorities for the upcoming legislative session.
The NDP’s three-day gathering in Peterborough runs through Friday.
