NDP backs Julia Riddell to run for Winnipeg South Centre riding

The NDP is backing a clinical psychologist in the hopes of winning over Winnipeg South Centre residents in the upcoming byelection that was triggered after veteran MP Jim Carr died.

During a nomination meeting Sunday, Julia Riddell — who both works in the public healthcare system and teaches at the University of Manitoba — was acclaimed to represent the New Democrats in the central riding that encompasses Fort Garry and the surrounding area.

“As someone who’s worked as a frontline healthcare worker, feeling the distress and seeing it firsthand, I was just not able to sit by without raising my voice and fighting for people who have been sitting on waitlists for over two years for mental health treatment,” Riddell told attendees at the virtual meeting.

National party leader Jagmeet Singh, who was in attendance via Zoom, endorsed Riddell’s campaign, citing the importance of electing more NDP representatives to fight for a well-funded public healthcare system in Manitoba and elsewhere in Canada.

Riddell ran for Winnipeg South Centre — a Liberal stronghold over the last three decades, although the Conservatives sparked an upset in 2011 — under the orange banner in the last federal election. She came in third place, following the Liberals and Tories.

Ben Carr is seeking the Liberal nomination to follow in the footsteps of his father, who held the seat between 2015 and 2022. The elder Carr died of cancer in early December.

The byelection has yet to be called, but it is anticipated to coincide with the race for Portage-Lisgar. Ottawa has until June 11 to announce the vote.

– staff

Maggie Macintosh
Reporter

Maggie Macintosh reports on education for the Winnipeg Free Press. Funding for the Free Press education reporter comes from the Government of Canada through the Local Journalism Initiative.

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