The Bay of Quinte NDP has acclaimed local school board trustee Alison Kelly as their candidate in the 2022 provincial election.

At a virtual press conference on Monday afternoon, NDP Deputy Leader John Vanthof announced the project manager and Prince Edward County candidate would become the next member of provincial Parliament for the Bay of Quinte riding.

Vanthof said he was pleased to welcome Kelly to the NDP family, who switched from the Liberal Party as she did not approve of the choice of Steven Del Duca as the leader. 

“People in the Bay of Quinte deserve so much better than we’ve all been getting,” said Kelly.   "We need help and support for students and youth.  We need affordable and reliable Internet and we desperately need affordable housing."

Kelly said Premier Doug Ford has been taking Ontarians 'in the wrong direction with cuts instead of investments.'

"My community, we demand better," she said.

Kelly represents southern Prince Edward County on the Hastings and Prince Edward District School Board.  As a trustee, Kelly has advocated for anti-racism policy, free menstrual products along with Black History Month, Indigenous History Month and Pride Month celebrations at local schools.  Most recently Kelly has requested a review of all school names within the Hastings and Prince Edward District School Board that could be coming this fall.  Kelly said she wants to ensure that the school names reflect the strategic plan and draft equity policy with a lens on reconciliation, human rights, decolonization, anti-racism and anti-oppression principles.

Kids in school deserve more help and support instead of teacher and education worker layoffs, Kelly explained.

"We need to treat health care and mental health like people’s lives depend on it," she said.  "Families and local businesses need access to affordable, reliable Internet. New Democrats will give people hope for the kind of future they deserve in Bay of Quinte and across Ontario — one with more opportunity, more affordability, and more hope,” she stated.

The quest for incumbent Bay of Quinte Conservative MPP Todd Smith’s position also includes Emilie Leneveu, nominated last November, to stand for the Liberal party. 

A mission, Kelly said she is ready for.

When asked by the media if she felt like a 'sacrificial lamb' going up against Smith, Kelly said 'no.' 

"I would never put myself in a position to not win," she said.  "That's not who I am.  I would not put my family through this if I didn't believe in [myself.]  If I didn't believe in my community members for wanting to choose someone who represents them and their needs."

The provincial election is June 2, 2022.