NPD, Hull-Aylmer
Nicolas Thibodeau
Why are you running?
People. When I meet people who sleep under bridges or in front of the Portage buildings, and when 2,000 people are on waiting lists at the Office de l’Habitation de l’Outaouais, it’s impossible not to see the urgency of the affordable housing situation. During the “Grand-Ménage de Gatineau”, I was devastated to see people sleeping outside a few steps from home.
We deserve to have a voice for people in Parliament, rather than a voice for the Liberal Party. I started my political commitment because of Jack Layton. I was twice his candidate and he taught me a lot. I then worked on Thomas Mulcair’s campaigns before coming to work for the NDP MPs on the Hill.
My parliamentary experience has really motivated me. I do not count my hours developing links with local and national organizations and I always feel like I’m learning from the people I meet. Politics is such a rewarding environment. I learned how to work with other parties by working in the multi-party parliamentary group to fight modern slavery and human trafficking.
As the NDP candidate, I would like to keep pushing in favour of more justice here and around the world. I became aware of the ties that bind us by living in Asia and Latin America. I hope we can break free from the linear economy that causes so much waste and stress on the environment. A circular economy will enhance our resources here and we will keep good jobs locally.
What is your full-time job?
Prior to being a Parliamentary Assistant, I was responsible for development at a national architectural & design firm where I completed my LEED certification in concrete and comprehensive environmental measures required for green buildings and architecture.
Buildings contribute 35% of GHGs and consume millions of litres of water. It is crucial to build carbon neutral if we really want to get out of the climate crisis. I helped the NDP develop its plan for eco-friendly housing. We already have the expertise in Canada, it is to change the rules to the building codes and to stop the inactivity and political double-talk in Ottawa!
What are your passions in work and in life? (Volunteerism, sport, art, etc.)
Sustainable and active mobility as well as the environment.
I go cycling wherever I go year-round and every year I personally plant trees, my personal contribution to the greening of our cities overtaken with islands of heat and smog problems. We must do more collectively.
After years of being a scout, I also really enjoy canoeing. We need to improve water quality, in Gatineau Park or in Brasserie Creek; we should be able to take full advantage of it!
What would your priorities be in the short and long term if you are elected?
In the short term: Protecting Gatineau Park and Boucher Forest, which are our lungs here in the Outaouais!
In the long run: invest in lasting peace rather than war and reorient our military purchases to buy planes to extinguish fires rather than to light them. A CL-415 is a better tool to help the environment by extinguishing wildfires, better for the Canadian economy because we design and manufacture them here, and better for our contribution to international aid. Forest fires are burning all over the world, it is vital to address them to face the climate crisis of today!
