The Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound Green Party will be hosting its federal nomination meeting this weekend to choose between two potential candidates to run in this election.
There are two local members vying for the nomination: Natasha Akiwenzie and Blake Martin.
The nomination meeting is set to take place at the Harmony Centre in Owen Sound on Sunday March 30th at 2:30 p.m.
Biographies on the local Green Party website say Natasha Akiwenzie is manager for the not-for-profit organization Bagida’waad Alliance and Executive Director of Gidakiinan Land Trust. She is a member of Obizhigokaang living at Neyaashiinigmiing with her husband and the grown sons. They have a small farm with goats and chickens. Before that, her family had a sustainable fishing business.
Her bio says, “Natasha believes in the Green Party’s Plan as it shows they are working towards providing more affordable housing, continuing work on Indigenous Reconciliation, strengthening universal health care and working on climate action in a number of different ways. These challenges Natasha believes she can help in guiding them with her lived experiences.”
She enjoys being outdoors with family, hiking, paddling, camping and exploring.
Blake Martin is also running in the nomination race. His bio says he has lived in Markdale for most of his life. He’s been a history and political science student at the University of Ottawa since 2021.
He says, “I have written and studied the cost-of-living and housing crises, the growing democratic deficit, and the issues of reconciliation during my tenure at the University of Ottawa. I have extensive knowledge and experience in these issues and believe that I stand ready to fight on behalf of our community in Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound to achieve the meaningful change so desperately needed.”
Martin adds, “By incorporating our fundamentals of the Green Party – better access to healthcare and housing, fair taxation, addressing the problem of our system perpetuating social injustice, and re-investing in our economy with a Green New Deal – I will work towards addressing the cost-of-living crisis and the crisis that is healthcare in rural Canada will ensure a future for our communities which is sustainable and prosperous.”
