At an event in Toronto Sunday afternoon, which was also streamed on his Facebook page, Timmins-James Bay MP Charlie Angus announced he is running for the leadership of the federal New Democratic Party.

“It’s time we mix things up in Ottawa,” he told the Horseshoe Tavern crowd, “It’s time we brought a little passion, a little bit of fire.  That we make sure that words like ‘reconciliation’ actually mean something.”

Angus has been long an advocate for Aboriginal issues, so it’s no surprise that much of his speech centered around the treatment of First Nations communities across the country.

He talked about how it was five years ago that the government voted unanimously for Shannen’s Dream, a program that provides equitable funding for education of First Nations children and named after Shannen Koostachin, a youth advocate from Attawapiskat.

Angus says it’s sad to say that “five years later, we’re still waiting.”

“Every day, we lose children from systemic negligence, and underfunding,” he said, “It has to stop, and it’s going to stop, and that’s my promise.”

“That’s why we’re launching (my leadership bid) today.”

He says many people have given up on politicians, and “I don’t blame them.”

“We’re going to start to stand up in Parliament, and fight for the people who they’ve written off the economic and political map of Canada.  We’ve got your back, we’ve got your back,” he said.

Angus also spoke of his travels across Canada, meeting with people.

“What I’ve learned travelling across this country is how good our people are. And we cannot be torn apart by the evil, false, corrosive politics of division.”

“We are stronger when we work and stay together, and that’s how we’re going to build a better nation.”

And in a plea for support, Angus asked the crowd to get active in his campaign, adding they “have a hell of a job ahead of us right now in the world.”

“We don’t have to agree on everything, but we have to have each others back, that’s the fundamental principle here,” he continued, “That you look at your neighbour and say ‘it doesn’t matter all the other stuff, we’re neighbours, we’re together, I’ve got your back, so I’m asking you to have my back. I need you. We’re going to mix things up.”

“So let’s get to it.”

Angus becomes the second person to announce their leadership bid.  New Westminster-Burnaby MP Peter Julian announced his candidacy back on February 12.

Julian acknowledged Angus on Twitter.

The leadership vote takes place in October.

 

Filed under: Local News