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'We're going to make it orange again': Lisa Vezeau-Allen earns NDP nod for the Sault

Ward 2 councillor chosen for upcoming provincial election during nomination meeting held Thursday night
James Hopkin
James Hopkin

Lisa Vezeau-Allen has been nominated to run as NDP candidate for the Sault Ste. Marie riding in next month’s Ontario election. 

The Ward 2 councillor was selected during a nomination meeting held Thursday night at the Delta hotel, besting African Caribbean Canadian Association of Northern Ontario (ACCANO) president Dave Mornix in a vote that saw a total of 45 ballots being cast by local NDP riding association members in good standing. 

Vezeau-Allen was heavily involved with the New Democrats between 2009 and 2013, assuming roles as vice-president of the riding association and co-chair of former Sault MP and MPP Tony Martin’s election campaign.   

“I’m determined to get this riding. We’re going to make it orange again,” Vezeau-Allen told more than 70 who attended the nomination meeting.  

The founder of two local social enterprises — Grocer 4 Good and Cafe 4 Good — spoke of the need to address issues in the Sault such as affordable housing, accessibility and food insecurity, in addition to province-wide issues like mental health and addictions and improved health care.  

“This has been something I’ve been wanting to do,” Vezeau-Allen told SooToday following the meeting. “I really think that I can make a difference in Sault Ste. Marie, because I really understand what the issues are, and I really have a keen understanding of how we need to navigate and manoeuvre all the ministries and the asks and all of that.”

Vezeau-Allen says her campaign will focus on a mix of what she believes is needed in the Sault and what the party wants for the province, noting that Ontario NDP leader Marit Stiles is “very much” about ushering in more accessible mental health supports. 

“I think that’s really key, and that’s something I really connect with, especially with my work at both Grocer 4 Good and Cafe 4 Good,” she said. 

The NDP is the second party to tap its candidate for the Sault Ste. Marie riding, after SooToday revealed that Doug Ford hand picked Chris Scott to run for the Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario in the lead-up to the Feb. 27 provincial election.