A dedicated community volunteer in Alvinston is hoping to make the jump to provincial politics.
Kathryn Shailer has been selected as the Ontario NDP candidate for the upcoming byelection in Lambton-Kent-Middlesex.
The mother of two and grandmother of three was acclaimed during a nomination meeting held Thursday night.
"My priorities are to listen and give voice to the diverse interests of our sprawling riding and to work collaboratively at Queen’s Park to strengthen public healthcare, bring down the cost of housing, and invest in our kids’ schools,” said Shailer “With a strong new voice for Lambton–Kent–Middlesex, I know we can help make life easier for people.”
Shailer is known locally for her roles with the Brooke-Alvinston Optimist Club, Friends of Campbell Park, and the Lawrence House Centre for the Arts. She also runs the Alvinston Arts and Music Festival. Professionally, she previously held leadership roles at various Canadian post-secondary institutions. Until March 2016, Shailer was the provost and vice-president of academic at Calgary's Mount Royal University. Prior to that she served as dean of the faculty of arts and science at Ontario College of Art & Design University and dean of the division of continuing education at the University of Winnipeg.
This is not her first time running in an election. In the fall of 2022, Shailer ran for Lambton-Kent District School Board trustee in Central Lambton. She was unsuccessful in that bid.
Shailer's bid to flip the Lambton-Kent-Middlesex riding from blue to orange may be a tough one. It has been held by the Conservatives since 2011 when former MPP Monte McNaughton won the seat. McNaughton, who also served as the province's labour minister, stepped down last fall to take a job in the private sector.
A byelection to replace him has to be called before the end of March - six months after his resignation.
The Ontario Progressive Conservative are running long-time Chatham-Kent councillor Steve Pinsonneault as their candidate, while the Liberals have named Lucan Mayor Cathy Burghardt-Jesson.