'I’m a real person. I deal with real issues,' Eckert

Right from the start the federal election has proved to be on giant learning curve for Nipissing Timiskaming NDP Candidate Rona Eckert.

With the exception of a short campaign in the recent municipal election in Nipissing Township Eckert, a postal worker and single mother of two had no political experience entering the arena. She says the campaign has been a trial by fire, but is grateful to everyone including fellow Liberal and Green candidates for their guidance and support during the campaign.

“I didn’t really know what to expect going into it, it has been very difficult and it’s been a lot of work.”

“I’ve learnt a lot, it’s been a great experience, I’ve had support from so many wonderful people. I’ve had phone calls saying you know I used to vote Conservative now I’m voting NDP two more votes in this house. So I’ve had a lot of encouragement from the voters as well as labour and media and everyone has just been really nice so it’s made it all worth it.”

She says with a surge in support in the polls for the NDP has her encouraged heading into Monday.

“In my campaign locally I am hoping it will give me support going into Election Day. And I am really hopeful that the Canadian people are actually addressing their needs, like there’s urgency in addressing Canadian needs and putting them as a priority and I see that the Canadian people are noticing that that is what Jack Layton is about so it gives me hope.”

Eckert says as she is like the majority of folks in the riding who struggle to make ends meet day in and day out so as the MP she wants to see the economy improve to offer families in the north a better life.

“I’m a real person, I deal with real issues, I don’t make a ton of money. I struggle like everybody else … like the majority of the population,” she states.

“I want to see better jobs, I want to see better quality daycare, I want to see equality for women those are all issues that are important to me.”

She says to those folks who think they have no choice that the political parties are all the same to take a second look and see what the NDP have to offer.