Nickel Belt’s France Gélinas wins Ontario NDP nomination

SUDBURY – New Democrats in Nickel Belt gathered to choose France Gélinas as their Ontario NDP candidate for the next provincial election. Gélinas was nominated by Algoma—Manitoulin—Kapuskasing MP Carol Hughes and Chelmsford resident Claude Berthiaume.

"I am deeply honoured and excited to once again be nominated as the Ontario NDP candidate for Nickel Belt. Serving the people of this incredible community for 17 years and counting has been the privilege of a lifetime. I am inspired every day by the strength, resilience, and determination of the people of Nickel Belt. I am very confident that alongside the leadership, vision and dedication of our Leader Marit Stiles, we will form a government that works as hard as Ontarians do. Together, we will work for a brighter, better future for everyone in this province."

“France's work and dedication to her community is nothing short of exemplary,” said Marit Stiles, Ontario NDP Leader. “She has been a fierce advocate for our public health care system and one of the strongest voices pushing back against Ford’s privatization attempt. France always puts the needs of her community and our province before anything else. I am proud to have France on our team as we work to deliver a better, brighter future for the people of Ontario."

QUICK FACTS:

• France Gélinas is the MPP for Nickel Belt. Her riding is the seventh largest in the province, has 17 Ontario Parks and is comprised of over 30 communities including three First Nations.
• She was first elected to the Ontario Legislature in 2007 and has been returned in four subsequent General Elections.
• At Queen’s Park, France has served as the New Democratic Party’s Health Critic since being elected. She takes pride in representing the party of Tommy Douglas, who brought us Medicare. France believes that Ontarians deserve a high-quality health care system, one that is based on needs and not on ability to pay.
• France, a proud Franco-Ontarian, lives in Whitefish with her spouse Keith. They have three children and ten grandchildren. She enjoys the outdoors, loves rowing, kayaking, snowboarding, snowmobiling and is always ready for an adventure. She has an MBA from Laurentian University, is a licensed physiotherapist and an airplane pilot.