Sudbury and District Labour Council president Jamie West announced that he is officially joining the race to be the Sudbury NDP candidate.
Surrounded by family and friends at the Labour Council offices on April 25, West made the announcement that he will seek nomination to be the Sudbury NDP candidate in the 2018 provincial election.
"I'm seeking this nomination because the people of Sudbury need an MPP who understands the issues that affect their daily lives and who will work tirelessly to make their lives better," said West.
West has been on the labour council's executive since 2010, having gotten involved with the organization during USW Local 6500's year-long strike against Vale.
A smelter flash furnace operator by trade, he was an activist during the labour dispute, working with a group called Building Power, which organized protests and communication with the union's membership.
The decision to throw his hat in the ring is one that he has been weighing for some time, and he had considered jumping into the race in the last provincial election in 2014.
"There was a long conversation with my wife both times, our children are older now and this is a decision that she fully supports me on," said West.
The dedicated family man has a long resume of community involvement that includes volunteer with United Way Sudbury/Nipissing Districts, CROSH (Center for Occupational Safety and Health), OHCOW (Occupational Health Clinic for Ontario Workers).
He also volunteered with former Nickel Belt MP Claude Gravelle's executive committee and has received endorsements from Sudbury's NDP candidate in the 2015 federal election, Paul Loewenberg, as well as USW Local 6500 president Rick Bertrand and USW international president Leo Gerard.
"I want to be vocal and visible in this community, just as I have in the past," said West. "I love being out in the community and I don't think we've seen enough of that visibility and transparency from our current MPP."
For more on West's campaign, visit www.jamiewestNDP.com or if you're interested in volunteering to help with the campaign, email jamiewestndp@gmail.com.
