Introducing the 2013 Brant NDP

Today nearly 80 New Democrats gathered to elect the new 2013 Provincial Brant NDP Riding Association. The full room at the Brantford & District Labour Centre saw a keynote address from former NDP MPP & MP Ian Deans, who now resides in Brantford, and many contested nominations for the 10 positions that were up for grabs.

The results show a local desire to have millennials (those born after 1980) take strong grassroots leadership roles with 7 of the 10 positions being lled by these members of Generation Y. Winning the position of President was local student Ryan Jamula. Jamula the long time president of the Brant Young New Democrats is condent he is up to the task of building for a win in Brant. "We have a strong and unied team, and some of the best volunteers in the country right here in Brant," he said. "Don't let our age fool you, were organized, energetic and have the experience needed to make gains. Most of our team have been key organizers in multiple elections that have seen signicant growth despite our relatively young age. My hope is that we can inspire more local young people to get involved."

See below for the full list of those elected. To become involved phone 519-751-9111 or e-mail VicePresident Marc Laferriere at marc@brantndp.ca.

Ryan Jamula - President

- Member and volunteer with the Brant NDP for past 6 years. - Volunteer for 5 Brant election campaigns. - Election roles have included: Youth Activator, Volunteer Trainer, Canvass Coordinator & Election Planning Committee Member. - Led the Brant Young New Democrats as their President for last 4 years. That youth association is now one of the most active in the country. - Strong record of meeting management, fundraising, volunteer and member recruitment, public speaking and media outreach. - Involved in many successful community endevours nationally and locally. - Current Fundraising Coordinator for the Ontario New Democratic Youth. - Co-founder of the Annual Brantford Youth Leadership Conference.

Marc Laferriere - Vice-President

- 2011 Federal Candidate. Placed 2nd with over 16,000 votes in Brant. - Communications Director for 2011 Brant Provincial Campaign. - Brant News Readers Choice Award Platinum Winner for Best Local Politician. - 2012 Recipient of the YMCA Peace Medal. - Nominated by the Ontario NDP for the JS Woodsworth Award for anti-racism. - Clinical Social Worker and Professor at Mohawk College Brantford. - Owner of The Brant Advocate, a popular and growing local small business. - Co-Founder of the Brantford Youth Leadership Conference, Brantford Community Garden Project & Brant/Brantford Roundtable on Poverty. - Experienced member of many local and national volunteer boards. Past roles on the executive include: Communications Ofcer, Membership Ofcer, Member-at-Large and other roles over past 5 years.

Aleshea Wilson for Chief Financial Ofcer

- Mother of 2 beautiful daughters Lidia and Amelia-Belle. - Worked for Liberty Tax Services Canada. - Worked for Bartly Business Solutions in Brantford and gained valuable knowledge in corporate accounting. - Mohawk College Graduate in Business Accounting in the Co-operative Education Program of Study with an 84.5% GPA. - Currently enrolled in the Hon. Bachelors of Accounting Program at Brock University. - Plans to pursue a Certied Management Accountant designation after completion of Honours. - Lives in Brantford and has been a multi-year supporter of the Brant NDP and the Brant Young NDP.

Neil MacDonald for Secretary

- 3 years as Brant NDP Secretary. - Organized for NDP Leadership Candidate Paul Dewar. - Organized successful Brant visits for ONDP Leader Andrea Horwath and other MPs and MPPs. - Successfully Completed NDP Campaign Manager Training. - Campaign Manager for Marc Laferriere's 2011 campaign. - Candidate Liaison for Brian Van Tilborg's 2011 campaign. - Referee and volunteer with Brantford Minor Lacrosse. - Graduate of Wilfrid Laurier University. - Masters Degree from University of Ottawa.

Christopher Baldrey for Membership Organizer

- Current President of Provincial and Federal Brant NDP Riding Associations. - Unit Chairperson for CUPE Local 181. - Past Member-at-Large Brant NDP. - Past Labour Representative - Brant NDP. - Past Vice President, CUPE Local 181 (5 years). - Past Brantford & District Labour Council Member-at-Large.

I am running for the position of Membership Ofcer as I feel I can bring my expertise from my day-to-day job in Information Technology, to help better maintain the lists provided to us by the central party. I am an active participant in my Union at all levels, and also within the community, helping to support many efforts that the NDP also support.

Grace Maich for Youth Ofcer

- Very effective youth organizer and canvasser during recent provincial and federal elections. - Volunteer in the recent Kitchener-Waterloo by-election. - University student earning a degree in Political Science and Labour Studies. - Attends many local political and community events.

Past role on the executive: 2012 Youth Ofcer, multi-year executive member of The Brant Young New Democrats.

Ellora Jones for Women's Representative

Previous Executive Experience: Brant NDP and YNDP member for past 3 years. 2 consecutive terms as Brant NDP Womens Representative. Advocate for women's rights in local and university press. 2012 Brant NDP LGBTQ Representative. Organized Brant NDP participation at the Brant Rainbow Bake Sale and Brant Pride Events. Organized youth fundraisers. Represented Brant NDP at the Leadership Convention including a live interview on CBCs The National. Represented Brant at the Provincial Policy Convention. Election Experience: Volunteered on the recent federal and provincial campaigns. Hundreds of hours spent knocking on doors and speaking with voters. Recruited several new members Trained volunteers Scrutineered

Community Experience: 1st year Human Rights & Human Diversity student at Laurier Brant Over 400 hours of local community involvement during high school. Sat on Executives of Brant Peace and Diversity Youth Circle, St. Leonards Youth Drop In, and Brant Youth Action Circle

Matt Larocque for Disability Rights

- Diagnosed with Crohn's Disease in 2003 and has served with the The Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of Canada. - Has consulted on voter outreach for Dr. Annette Chretien's 2012 campaign for the Presidency of the Mtis Nation of Ontario and was employed in Brant riding as Lead Public Outreach. - Canvasser Trainer for the Ontario Citizens' Coalition for Clean Affordable Energy public education campaign. - Served 2 consecutive terms with the Brant NDP Executive as Membership Ofcer and concurrently served as Campaign Organizer for 2011 Federal Campaign. Key contributions include: event organizing, voter contact organizing, electoral analysis, fundraising, scriptwriting and volunteer coaching.

Brian Van Tilborg for Provincial Council

- 2011 provincial candidate with vote share totals above the provincial average. - Campaign Director for 2011 Brant NDP Federal Campaign. - Former Action Centre Coordinator who has personally helped thousands of local residents nd and maintain work. Past roles on the executive: Provincial Vice President, Provincial Delegate and Member at large for over 12 years.

Sally Simpson for Provincial Council

- Coordinator of the successful Leader's Challenge event with Andrea Horwath which raised nearly $5000 this past November. - Laurier Brantford student with nearly 2 decades of experience in project management, law and real estate. - Red Cross Volunteer. Past role on the executive: 2012 Brant NDP Female Provincial Council Delegate.