She may be running for the Green Party but Jo Jo Holiday is the only candidate who isn’t “green” on the campaign trail.
The longtime Keewatin resident ran here for the Greens during the 2007 provincial election; and also was a candidate in the Kenora riding in 2008 federal election.
Holiday, an education assistant with the Keewatin-Patricia District School Board, has completed a doctorate in homeopathy and a Master’s in divinity, and currently is studying for a registered holistic nutritionist diploma.
“I would like to work on a sustainable building plan for the economics of our Far North,” Holiday said.
Part of this includes opening up the conversation between herself as an MPP, the Green Party, First Nations’ chiefs, councils, and people—followed by meeting with Chambers of Commerce and municipal councils to “find out what the strengths of each community are and how we can work together to improve them economically.”
Holiday also said she would meet with regional forest organizations to support many of their strategies to economical and sustainable forestry.
Energy costs—despite the region producing most of the energy right here—also is an economic issue she would into as an MPP.
“The three levels of government should work as a team for the betterment of all and not as separate entities,” she stressed, referring to the infrastructure costs for municipalities in Northwestern Ontario.
Holiday stressed the need to open up the agendas of all levels of governments, and “make clear and transparent decisions.”
Illness prevention and support wellness should be a government priority for spending, she added.
“We have some serious health issues that are predominantly higher here than anywhere else in Ontario,” she noted.
“With proper education on nutrition and healthy lifestyle, and availability of healthy food, we could, in fact, have healthier communities.”
The Green Party platform calls for spending health-care dollars wisely.
“By investing in more family health-care clinics staffed by a variety of providers, an individual will have access to solve many health issues,” reasoned Holiday, especially when it comes to the aging population within the region.
“I know that some of our communities are very difficult to get around in the winter.
“I would certainly be seeking answers and ways to fix this problem,” she pledged.
Healthier communities also would lead many youth to develop employment for themselves here in the region, said Holiday, thus stemming youth out-migration.
As well, being able to provide education within communities is another way to prevent youth out-migration.
“With the advancement of technology, there is no reason why so many courses cannot be delivered via the web,” she reasoned.
Education should be a priority for the government, Holiday said, and that “uneven funding within our area” needs to be “corrected immediately.”
Canadians have been passive about their voting rights and responsibilities, added Holiday, referring to the apathy amongst the population when it comes to voter turnout.
But she praised the efforts of Elections Ontario to make voting easier—especially for university students who can send in their vote no matter where they are studying.
“We need to keep instilling and educating the importance of politics and voting to the students so that they may not be so passive when they are of voting age,” she stressed.
“You are the voters!” Holiday said when it comes to how she would vote if sent to Queen’s Park, saying she would go against the party line if the voice of the constituents implied such action.
“I would certainly expect to be questioning the party line at times as I know that most of the policies are written by those whom have never been to the true north of Ontario,” she remarked.
“Life is different here and I respect that.”