NDP named Opposition, local rep pleased with results

Green Candidate Dr. Scott Daley congratuales NDP Candidate Rona Eckert on a good campaign Monday night. Story and photos by Steph Burt Hillyard/Special to BayToday.ca

It was an intense race, but the New Democratic Party achieved what they have so long desired and yet never achieved. For the first time in Canadian history, the NDP has been declared the Loyal Opposition Party.

For Nipissing-Timiskaming NDP representative Rona Eckert, her first time running for parliament was a part of history she, and the rest of Canada, will never forget. With 8,807 votes, Eckert now holds the record for most votes for a member running for the NDP in this riding with 539 more votes than the previous record holder, Dave Fluri.

“I would like to thank all the people who came out and voted and supported me through this campaign. I’m shocked with the amount of votes I got and very pleased. I’d like to thank Mr. Daley, and Mr. Rota for their support and encouragement. And congratulations to Mr. Aspen.”

As a single mom, Eckert credits her family to being very supportive.

“My 11-year-old became my campaign manager and my 18-year-old became my fashion consultant. So that’s how I brought them in and kept them supporting me through it.”

Eckert also commented on how amazing it was to be able to have her name on the ballot the first time her daughter got to vote.

Eckert says her lack of attendance at the Nipissing/Canadore debate may have caused her to lose some young voters, but apologizes for not being able to attend. She also recognizes that young voters and their use of social media may have had more of an impact than she realizes.

Eckert’s pleasure over the number of votes she received was hard to conceal, as she let out a convincing “I am woman, hear me roar. ROAR!”

As for the results of the NDP on the national stage, Eckert says she thinks “it’s… awesome. I think it’s great. It just shows the Canadian people are tired and they want a change. They were heard.”

“My favourite moment would be the number of votes I got today. That’s my favourite moment; that made my day. I’m proud of myself for the accomplishments of going through this and the challenges; I made it through. I’m still standing and I just once again have to thank all the voters.”

Eckert credits her success in the campaign to being “real” and “herself.”

“I find it very difficult to promote myself, it’s not who I am,” she says. “I just am who I am and it’s hard to say “I’m great and I’m wonderful.” I can’t say that because I don’t feel that I’m any better than anyone else in the room or on the street. Whether you have a degree or a grade five education, we all have something to offer.”