THUNDER BAY – Climate change is playing a huge role in the 2019 federal election campaign, which suits Green Party candidate Amanda Moddejonge just fine.

With a background in public relations, environmental sciences, emergency management and Aboriginal issues, the Thunder Bay-Rainy River hopeful says she’s got the hands-on scientific experience that gives her an edge when looking at how to tackle climate change at the national level.

“Most notably, I was working with OPG during coal cessation, when they were closing all the coal-fired power generation stations in Ontario. I helped close the plants and helped close the dumps that were associated with them,” she said.

Moddejonge said if she’s elected to replace outgoing Liberal MP Don Rusnak, she wants to help Northwestern Ontario transition from its traditional way of doing things, in particular the job market.

“The jobs that they’ve implemented here historically have caused an awful lot of pollution in the area,” she said.

“You can see this in particular in places like Grassy Narrows. We have an awful problem with mercury and the people living in these areas are literally dying. This has to stop. We’ve had an awful lot of attention over the four years that we’ve had this government in, but nothing’s being done.”

It’s not enough to make promises, Moddejonge said.

“I actually care and I understand the issues that are going on here,” she added. “I want to make real change in this area and I want to bring permanent, sustainable jobs here.”

Moddejonge is hoping to ride what appears to be a Green Party swell sweeping the nation. Several polls have them ahead of the NDP nationwide and ready to become a political force from coast to coast.

“What’s been happening, ever since Elizabeth May took office, is all of the other parties have noticed and they’ve actually been held to account as to what they’ve been doing that’s harming people. The Liberal Party right now is so excited about the Green platform, that if you look at their emblem, it’s green,” said Moddejonge, who ran provincially for the Greens in 2018. 

She also wants to be a champion of Indigenous issues, saying she’s absolutely beside herself looking at the policies and actions of both the Liberals and the Conservatives on the all-important file.

“When I actually moved here, one of the things I recognized is you have two very good institutions in Thunder Bay for teaching people about what the actual issues are here,” said the mother of one.

“I’ve actually gone back to Confederation College and I’ve gone to Lakehead and I’ve been educated by community leaders as to what the issues are here and these are major Indigenous leaders, who aren’t going to sugar-coat either the history, the laws or what needs to happen going forward.”

Sitting through classes with people who live the Indigenous reality has given her an edge up on the other candidates, she said.