The New Democratic Party (NDP) has a new candidate for the next federal election contesting the North Island-Powell River riding.

Tanille Johnston was announced as the new candidate on Sep. 1. Johnston is currently a city councillor for the City of Campbell River and is the first-ever First Nations person to be elected to the role.

鈥淚t鈥檚 great to have Tanille joining the NDP team. She has a true track record of fighting for people in North Island鈥擯owell River. We鈥檙e looking forward to having her bring that fight to Ottawa,鈥� said NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh. 鈥淎t a time when the Liberals are letting people down, and Pierre Poilievre and the Conservatives are catering to the interests of big bosses and CEOs who are driving up prices of food and homes, New Democrats are fighting for the people of North Island鈥擯owell River to lower your costs.鈥�

Johnston works as a regional manager for primary care with the First Nations Health Authority - Vancouver Island Region and founded the Maya'xala Culturally Centred Home Studies and Integrated Services, a service that provides culturally appropriate services to First Nations, Inuit, and M茅tis families looking to become foster or adoptive parents. 

Current NDP MP Rachel Blaney, who Johnston could replace, describes Johnston as a fantastic candidate who cares deeply about the community. She added that she was looking forward to working alongside Johnston and seeing all she will accomplish "when we send her to Ottawa."

鈥淚鈥檓 honoured that New Democrats in our community have given me the opportunity to fight for North Island - Powell River in the next election,鈥� says Johnston. 鈥淚 am proud of the work MP Blaney has done for us, and I look forward to continuing the fight for rural and remote communities, local veterans and military personnel, and Indigenous people."