By Jake MacAndrew
Hailey Ford, a third-year journalism student at Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU), has been nominated as the New Democratic Party’s (NDP) candidate for the Oakville East riding.
Her candidacy was confirmed on Aug. 24 at an NDP Oakville East meeting according to a press release.
“Sometimes, when people are a little more entrenched in politics, they don’t necessarily want to do things that step a little outside of their comfort zone”
Ford was uncontested in the nomination meeting, NDP National Director Lucy Watson wrote in an emailed statement to The Eyeopener.
Ford said she got her start in the NDP after the last Ontario provincial election in 2021. She witnessed the election process with her mother—an NDP campaign manager for that election—on the campaign trail. Inspired, Ford wanted to get involved in the process and joined her riding association.
Since she received the official riding nomination, her efforts are ramping up in anticipation of the next election. She has a campaign manager and is going out within her riding, knocking on doors to meet the community.
According to the Canada Elections Act, “A nomination paper shall be in the prescribed form and include the names, addresses and signatures, made in the presence of a witness, of at least 100 electors resident in the electoral district.”
“Part of what it takes to get your name on the ballot is those…100 signatures,” said Ford. “Verifying that I am a person and that you see in me, my passion, my energy—the things that I want to do for you in this community”
Although younger than her opponents at just 19 years old, she said her age does not equate to a lack of experience.
“[My age] doesn’t mean that I don’t listen to the experiences of those that are older and around me,” said Ford. “I see so many things in the world—that I see paths to fixing. Sometimes, when people are a little more entrenched in politics, they don’t necessarily want to do things that step a little outside of their comfort zone.”
The Oakville East riding was formed in 2023 from parts of the former Oakville and Oakville-North Burlington ridings.
As of Sept. 17, Ford will be running against Conservative candidate Ron Chhinzer and Liberal Cabinet Minister Anita Anand.
The next federal election is set to be on or before Oct. 20, 2025.
Disclaimer : Hailey Ford is a third-year journalism student and has written for the Eyeopener in the past.