Dear friends,

I have placed my name in nomination to become the Ontario NDP candidate in Ottawa Centre in the forthcoming provincial election. I am excited by the opportunity to win this seat for the NDP after 17 years (Evelyn Gigantes last held this seat for the NDP from 1990 to 1995). I believe this time, with the assets I bring, Andrea Horwath’s leadership, the issues of protecting public services and the legacy of mis-management by the current Liberal government, we can take this seat en route to forming an NDP government in Ontario!

As you know, I bring both campaign experience and a proven track record as a progressive representative at the school board (1982-88), city council (1991-97, 2000-2010) and provincial legislature (1997-99). During that time I have worked to advance a progressive agenda regarding planning (I have always refused developer campaign contributions), the environment, social housing, public transit, child care, and poverty issues. In 2010 I was honoured to be awarded the Francophile Award of the Year by ACFO (Ottawa).

Over the years I have been an active member of the NDP – working elections, contributing, attending conventions, running as a candidate (1999 in Ottawa West-Nepean), serving on the Ontario NDP Task Force on Property Assessment and Property Taxes, and more recently as a Parliamentary Assistant to NDP MP Mike Sullivan (York South-Weston), whose campaign I managed in 2011.

Ottawa Centre is a riding I know quite well, having lived here and having sent my children to schools here (Elgin Street PS, Hilson PS, Nepean HS, Glebe HS), and through my work as an Ottawa City Councillor dealing with the issues (planning, housing, transit, social services, recreation, and more) affecting the heart of our city (being a colleague of Somerset Ward Councillor Diane Holmes on City Council has its benefits!).

I don’t have to tell you that change is coming to Ontario as the era of the McGuinty Liberals draws to an end. I had the pleasure of working in the provincial by-election in Kitchener-Waterloo that saw Catherine Fife elected as our first NDP MPP from this riding. I saw first-hand the positive message our Party brought to that riding and the desperate tactics used by the McGuinty Liberals – tactics we will likely see here this spring. This is an election we cannot take for granted.

A nomination meeting for the Ottawa Centre NDP is expected to be held later in March, and I expect there will be NDP events before that I hope you will be able to attend where we can chat. I hope to be able to speak to you in the weeks ahead and hear your views about how we can win back Ottawa Centre for the NDP. In the meantime, drop me a line at alexcullen@rogers.com anytime!

Exciting times!

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