Incumbent MP Niki Ashton kicked off her campaign here in Thompson yesterday as the NDP candidate for Churchill Keewatinook-Aski in the federal election.

Ashton states she’s proud of the work the NDP has done to help northern and Indigenous communities during the COVID-19 pandemic, such as fighting for access for PPE, income supports for Canadians who either lost their jobs or had their hours cut, as well as supports for students.

She says one of the important issues for her campaign is ensuring unmarked graves at former residential schools are searched.

Ashton reiterated other key campaign promises from the NDP, such as higher taxes for the rich, addressing climate change, and improving living conditions in First Nation communities.

Ashton is running against Conservative candidate Charlotte Larocque from Thompson and Liberal candidate Shirley Robinson from Cross Lake First Nation.