Nancy Matte.
Nancy Matte, Green party candidate
Nancy Matte, of Beckwith, may be new to the political scene, but she’s as passionate about returning the openness to provincial politics as if she was a seasoned veteran.
She is the Green party candidate for Lanark, Frontenac, Lennox and Addington and has been a stay-at-home mother of three girls for the past 15 years.
“We’ve always been green as a family,” she said. “My decision was made to move the Green party platform forward.”
Matte is a volunteer with youth soccer and at the library. She has also run a computer consulting business for the past 10 years.
She is a graduate of the University of Ottawa, with a BA in social sciences.
Matte said she thinks one of the big concerns today is that the voting public seems discouraged with the inaccessibility of government.
“There is so much red tape to wade through and there are a lot of barriers to accessing your government – and that’s true whether it’s an individual, business or community group,” she said.
“Government should be empowering its citizens. We’ve really lost our way. Many are finding it hard to reach out and be heard.
“People should see a politician and want to talk to them; feel that we actually care. That’s what I can bring to the table.”
Another issue close to her heart is advocating for healthy eating, and promoting local food, saying that by supporting local producers and eating well eases the existing burden on the healthcare system.
Matte said that she is fortunate to have a few volunteers on her team who helped on federal Green Party leader Elizabeth May’s campaign.
Just like the national party’s figurehead, Matte said she has an ability to think outside the box.
“We’re not fighting for ideologies, we’re actually representing our people,” she said.
“I know I don’t have all the answers, but I could give the community an edge.”