At this time last year, newly-crowned NDP candidate for Guelph Agnieszka “Aggie” Mlynarz was presenting her thesis on representations of gender in Canadian slasher horror films, titled Maple Syrup Gore.
On Saturday, Mlynarz defeated two other hopefuls on the first ballot during the nomination meeting held at the Evergreen Seniors Community Centre.
Andrew Bascombe and Mike Foley stood for the local nomination alongside Mlynarz. The vote was decided by ranked ballot.
Mlynarz is a recent masters graduate from the University of Guelph in theatre studies and works in the independent film industry.
She was asked to run for the Guelph nomination last summer by former federal NDP candidate Andrew Seagram, said Mlynarz.
Shortly after winning Saturday’s nomination, Mlynarz said she wanted people in Guelph to get to know the fun and witty side of her.
“I feel I am a strong voice for this community, and a little bit of a different voice as well.” she said.
About 100 supporters were in attendance during a local nomination meeting held Saturday at the centre.
Guelph hasn't elected an NDP politician since 1990, when Derek Fletcher took the riding, then known as Guelph—Wellington.
Mlynarz attributed her nomination win to her boundless energy and because she has been told she is an excellent communicator.
“I am doing this because I want to see more of my generation represented in politics,” she said.
She also attributed her win to her team, which is about to get a lot larger now that she has won the nomination.
“I am ready to rock and roll, for sure.” Said Mlynarz.
At 28 years of age with no significant political experience under her belt, Mlynarz sees herself as the wild card in the upcoming June 7 election.
The other candidates in the upcoming election have age on her, said Mlynarz.
“I have experience in different ways. As a young woman and as a millenial,” she said.
Part of that experience, said Mlynarz, is growing up under what she called the failed platforms of former premiers Mike Harris and Kathleen Wynne.
In February, the local Liberal riding association selected Sly Castaldi as its candidate in the upcoming election, while party leader Mike Schreiner will stand for the Greens.
Former city councillor Ray Ferraro was appointed as the local Progressive Conservative candidate on Saturday by party leader Doug Ford.
Former PC hopeful Thomas Mooney says he will be on the ballot for June’s election under the recently-created Ontario Alliance party.
Mlynarz said Schreiner is not the wild card in this riding.
“I think he comes from a strong, established party. They have been in Guelph for a while and they spend a lot of money in Guelph,” she said.
Ontario NDP leader Andrea Horwath addressed the party faithful prior to voting.
Speaking to media after the speech, Horwath said the riding of Guelph is one she believes the NDP can win.
“It’s certainly a community that has a great deal of shared values with the NDP, it’s a very progressive community,” said Horwath.
A three-way race for an NDP candidate in this riding shows there is excitement for the party’s message, said Horwath.
“This is an election where the people are looking for change. What we believe firmly is that they want change for the better,” she said.
Last week, Horwath presented the party’s platform, which includes promises of low-cost daycare, pharmacare for all ages, lower electricity rates — to be paid for by increasing taxes on corporations and the rich.
In the 2014 provincial election, the NDP came in fourth in the riding of Guelph, behind the Liberals, Ontario PC and Green Party.
Mlynarz said she is not focussing on past results.
“I want to focus on today, on the platform we have now, which Andrea talked about — and it was so exciting to hear from her,” she said.
