Ont. NDP Leader Marit Stiles launches northern community tour Monday

Ontario NDP Leader Marit Stiles toured North Bay on Monday, criticizing the province's takeover of a local school board and recent hospital job cuts.

Ontario NDP Leader Marit Stiles is beginning a multi-day tour of northern Ontario communities, starting with events in North Bay on Monday.

The tour, described by the official opposition as an “end-of-tour” for Stiles, will see the leader visit several northern ridings.

“Marit Stiles kicks off her end-of-tour in northern Ontario starting on the 15th of December in North Bay,” said the party in a news release, noting the multi-day itinerary will include Nickel Belt, Sudbury, Sault Ste. Marie and will end it off in Algoma Manitoulin.

Public meet-and-greet in North Bay

The first event is a public coffee social scheduled for Monday evening.

“Drop by Twiggs Coffee Roasters to have coffee with Marit Stiles, Leader of the Official Opposition, and the local Nipissing NDP Riding Association,” wrote the NDP on their website.

The party said the purpose is to “connect and share your perspectives on positive change for North Bay.”

The event is set for 5 p.m. at the Twiggs Coffee Roasters location on Cartier Street.

Stiles is also scheduled to speak with the media in North Bay earlier on Monday at 2 p.m.

Nickel Belt, Sudbury visits planned for Tuesday

On Tuesday, the tour moves to the Nickel Belt region, where Stiles will be joined by local NDP MPP France Gélinas.

The politicians “will be in several Nickel Belt locations to listen to community members, workers, and seniors,” Gélinas’ office wrote in a news release.

A series of visits are planned throughout the day.

These include a 10:30 a.m. stop at the Elmwood Building in Coniston, a noon visit to the Walden Seniors centre in Lively, a 1:30 p.m. appearance at the Onaping Falls Food Bank and a 3 p.m. stop at the LIUNA Training Center in Val Thérèse.

Stiles will then head to the Sudbury riding where she will join local MPP Jamie West for a food drive.

“Join Jamie West and the Sudbury riding association of the ONDP for a special meet and greet with ONDP Leader Marit Stiles in support of the Edgar Burton Food Drive,” wrote the NDP on their website.

“Your entrance fee is a can of non-perishable food!”

The event is set for 7 p.m. at The Laughing Buddha on Eglin Street in Greater Sudbury.

More events and how to RSVP can be found on the Ontario NDP website.