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Council candidates engaged on health and social issues

News Release ***************** Submitted by K. Jodouin On Monday, October 6th the North East Women’s Health Alliance, (NEWHA) hosted a municipal candidates meeting at Amelia Rising Sexual Assault Centre of Nipissing.

News Release

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Submitted by K. Jodouin

On Monday, October 6th the North East Women’s Health Alliance, (NEWHA) hosted a municipal candidates meeting at Amelia Rising Sexual Assault Centre of Nipissing. 

The event provided a venue for prospective candidates to answer questions from a cross section of seven allied health and social service providers. 

Ten prospective candidates participated in the meeting where NEWHA members posed a series of health related questions to the candidates.

Questions raised included, availability of affordable housing, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and first responders, public health priorities, permanent residents and elections, and tax burdens.  Candidates also had the opportunity to meet and discuss issues with NEWHA members before and after the question and answer period. 

Council candidates Robertson, Koziol, Forgette, Anthony, Mendicino, Shogren, Vaillancourt, Mayne, and Maroosis and mayoral candidate Gray all actively participated in the event.

Chair of NEWHA, Kathleen Jodouin moderated the event and commented, “Our membership wanted an opportunity to hear from the candidates on issues that affect the health and wellbeing of our community, especially women.  Engaging with the candidates on these issues raises awareness for both our membership and the candidates”.

The event was hosted at Amelia Rising Sexual Assault Centre. 

Brenda Quenville, Executive Director stated, “The social service sector in Nipissing faces challenges on an ongoing basis.  It is extremely important that our municipal candidates are sensitive to these issues, and how the social services contribute to the overall health, wellbeing of North Bay as well as the local economy.”

Minutes from the meeting were taken and will be distributed to the NEWHA membership for discussion at their October meeting.  Both members of NEWHA and the participating candidates felt the event was a unique opportunity to engage in the political process and discourse on health issues specific to North Bay.