NDP happy with local campaign; Green candidate calls it ‘learning experience’

By William McGinn

Zac Miller, NDP, and Angel Godsoe, Green Party.

Local NDP candidate Zac Miller placed third in last night’s federal election while Green candidate Angel Godsoe placed fifth, behind PPC candidate Alison Davidson.

Conservative incumbent Jamie Schmale easily retained his seat in Haliburton-Kawartha Lakes-Brock, with the size of the popular vote still being counted, while Liberal candidate Judi Forbes placed second.

The Liberals under Justin Trudeau were unable to get the majority government he was hoping for but retained his minority government.

This was Godsoe’s first time with her name on a ballot. Miller had previously run for the NDP in the 2018 provincial election, coming in second place then.

“I was really quite happy with the campaign we ran,” said Miller. “We were able to engage with a lot of individuals about issues they care the most, and for what I care about. We put healthcare, especially implementing a national pharmacare program and fixing long-term care, as well as addressing climate change at the forefront of the campaign. I appreciate everyone’s support — voters and volunteers.”

When Godsoe spoke to the Advocate over the phone, she had just returned from Schmale’s gathering at The Cat and the Fiddle in Lindsay, where the returning MP has invited opponents to join him.

Godsoe described her campaign as an exciting, real learning experience. Discussing what could have been done differently, she said she wished she had “more time to mobilize, to build our Electoral District Association. We were just in the process of building that and getting the word out about our campaign that the Greens were in this riding and wanted to grow. I don’t like to say the whole election caught us off guard, but it did catch us off guard.”

Both candidates were asked how they felt about Trudeau retaining his government. “I hope that we’ve all learned something. That’s all I want to say,” said Godsoe.

“Nobody wanted this election,” said Miller. “As it appears, the House of Commons will look quite similar to what it did before the election, which means a complete waste of $600 million that could have been spent into programs Canadians need to rebuild an economy that be benefits working families and not the top.” 

As for what both candidates will be doing now, Miller said he will still be out in the community, “making sure our local healthcare is protected and improved as well as outreach and organizing for the implementation of national standards and removing profit in long-term care.” The NDP, nationally, picked up a few extra seats, and Miller said his party will continue fighting to fix the economy and redistribute wealth back to the people.

Godsoe expressed an interest in continuing with her political interests in the future. She also expressed hope that everyone can “come together and find common ground and be civil, and that’s the beauty of democracy.”

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