NDP candidate Darren Stoddard is running in the riding of Shelburne.
Stoddard, who has a background in education was born and raised in Shelburne County where he has lived for over 30 years.
Stoddard believes that emergency room closures need to be addressed immediately.
“The E.R. at Roseway Hospital is closed on weekends, holidays and times when people sometimes need it the most.”
He explained that the NDP plans to create more rooms for long term care residents to help take the stain off of emergency rooms by freeing up more doctors and nurses.
He added that he is extremely passionate about improving long term care for seniors.
Stoddard said he watched his grandmother struggle while having to share a room with dementia patients at a long term care facility in Shelburne County.
“Being stuck in a room with somebody with severe dementia takes a huge toll on your mental health,” said Stoddard. “This is very personal to me because I saw someone that I love very dearly suffer because of this.”
He says he believes every senior needs their own room and their own bed.
Stoddard also said that the current housing situation is a huge problem and has even effected one of his own family members.
“People are living in tents and some are living in Campers,” said Stoddard. “My own step sister was telling me that she was very worried there for a while and had no idea where she was going to go.”
He said the NDP plans to improve the housing crisis by creating 1000 new affordable housing units.
Stoddard is running against Liberal candidate Penny Smith, PC candidate Nolan Young and Steve Hirchak who is running for the Green Party in the riding of Shelburne.
