Ramsey Hart to Seek NDP Nomination for Lanark Frontenac Kingston

Jeff Green | Feb 21, 2018

Ramsey Hart, of Perth, is running to be the candidate for the New Democratic Party in the June 7th provincial election. On February 15, the NDP officially accepted his application as a candidate for nomination. The riding association has yet to set a date for a nomination meeting, which will likely take place in March. Because of new fixed election date legislation, the provincial election date is known to be June 7 and the election campaign period will take up the month of May.

Hart is is the Executive Director at The Table Community Food Centre in Perth and an active volunteer in a number of community initiatives, including the Tay Valley Ski Club, Lanark County Neighbours for Truth and Reconciliation, the Perth Men’s Shed and the Mayor’s Task Force on Local Climate Change.

He came to Perth four years ago to take the leadership role at the Table from Ottawa, where he worked for Mining Watch Canada. The Table operates a food bank, serves community meals, and operates food and social programs as well.

Not surprisingly, concern about the social safety net in Ontario is one of the main reason that Hart is putting his name forward to try and represent the NDP in the coming election.

“From my work at the Table, I have developed a sense of the importance of policy decisions as they relate to the services available to, and opportunities for advancement, for many people in our communities. Because of the gaps in our social safety net, a lot of people struggle to get by. While the increase to the minimum wage is a help, a person can’t live in dignity under Ontario Works or the Ontario Disability Support Program without depending on Food Banks and other services. Housing is also a major issue that Ontario needs to address,” he said, in a telephone interview on Tuesday (February 20)

Hart recognizes that NDP candidates are viewed as underdogs in a riding with a long history ofsening Conservatives to Queen’s Park, but said he is not deterred.

“We’ve had 14 years of Liberal government in Toronto and decades of Conservative representation in this riding. Now is a good time to look at viable alternatives to the status quo. If people want a change, I want to be that change. The NDP has a solid track record representing rural areas of northern Ontario and I can do the same in eastern Ontario if given the chance” he said, in a press release.

The need to combat poverty is a theme he intends to return to on the campaign trail.

“We are losing the potential of too many people and spending too much money to treat the symptoms of poverty. We can do a much better job taking care of each other. For example, the NDP’s program for a provincial pharma-care program will make an important difference in many people’s lives.

Diversification in the agricultural sector, small business growth, and keeping rural schools open are also issues he intends to address.

“While he has not spent a lot of time in Frontenac County since moviong to the region, Hart has taken advantage of the wilderness opportunities the county offers, including winter camping and skiing at Frontenac Park, and an annual canoe trip in North Frontenac Parklands.

“I am looking forward to learning more about Frontenac County as the election nears,” he said, “from what I have seen there is a lot of untapped potential to attract more visitors.”

He will be taking a leave of absence from his job at the Table in May, but intends to begin talking to people about the election throughout the late winter and spring.

Ramsey Hart can be reached at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., or 613-298-4745