A Russell Township councillor is seeking the nomination to be the Ontario Progressive Conservative candidate for Glengarry-Prescott-Russell.
Amanda Simard announced her candidacy on October 19. The Embrun native has a law degree from the University of Ottawa, works as an executive assistant to a senator, and has previously worked as a policy adviser for a senator. As a municipal councillor in Russell elected in 2014, she is the chair of the Public Library Board and Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee. She’s also deputy chair of the Planning Advisory Committee.
In her candidacy announcement, Simard said she is concerned about “unaffordable hydro rates,” debt, and cuts to healthcare. She also said because she has always lived in the area, she understands its “real challenges” and “great potential for positive change.”
“I hope to instill faith in the political process by running a positive and powerful campaign, engaging with residents, and ensuring that our voice is heard clearly and our concerns addressed at Queen’s Park,” she said in a statement. She pointed to a recent effort by the Embrun community to keep its Service Ontario location open. “We worked hard for that result, and I appreciated the support of a superb group of dedicated volunteers, though the future of the office remains uncertain,” she said in her statement. “Leadership is not about waiting to see which way the political wind blows – leadership is about listening to your constituents and delivering results.”
Simard joins Derek Duval of Vankleek Hill, who announced his intention to seek the nomination in June.
Simard’s CV, which was included in her candidacy announcement, is here:
