Amy Martin hits the MPP campaign trail

Amy Martin, Ontario Progressive Conservative candidate for Haldimand Norfolk, has been busy knocking on doors with her campaign team leading up to the Feb. 27 provincial election. 

Leah Bauer

Advocate Correspondent

It’s official, Premier Doug Ford has called an early election for Feb. 27.

This means that all over Ontario hopefuls for the 124 open seats in our Provincial legislature have hit the campaign trails. One of those hopefuls is none other than the Mayor of Norfolk County, Amy Martin, an Ontario Progressive Conservative candidate.

Martin has highlighted the importance of having a PC majority in the house to protect the jobs and industries of Ontario. Martin has very strong ties to our community as she has been involved in local politics as Ward 6 Councillor and Mayor for the last six years. 

“The people of Haldimand-Norfolk understand the importance of continuing to protect Ontario’s jobs and workers,” Martin stated. “As a manufacturing and agricultural hub of this province, it is vitally important that we continue to protect the interests of our community. I am deeply humbled and excited to stand for election in this incredibly important race to represent our community.”

The focus of Martin’s campaign has been to connect with community members and listening to them, going door to door and through social media.

“It was a really, really exciting day for the campaign team today because (so far) we’ve knocked on over 10,000 doors,” said Martin, who has knocked on more than 2,000 doors herself.

“First and foremost, we’re doing a lot of listening, not as much talking,” said Martin on Feb. 10. “I think the message we’re sharing is that there is a great push for a Team Ontario approach right now, and the Premier is doing a lot of really great work to protect jobs and the economy – and that’s especially important here in Haldimand Norfolk because of our booming agriculture and manufacturing sectors.

“Feedback has been actually really exceptional at the doors and that has been a nice feeling to go out and connect with so many new folks, and have consistent messaging from them. That messaging has been support for the Premier – they really like what he’s doing, especially concerning the tariffs and what’s happening in the States. They are also recognizing the personal liability of this situation from the States - they recognize that their friends and family work in the agriculture sector and the manufacturing sector, so it’s personal.”

Martin, familiar with campaigning in Norfolk, said it has also been a great pleasure to spend time meeting and connecting with Haldimand County residents and business owners.

“We’re very similar, but they (Haldimand) are very different in a lot of ways, so it’s been great to talk about the issues, the priorities, some of the community events… and build on my record.

“If I am lucky enough to be selected as the next MPP for Haldimand Norfolk, I really look forward to working with Premier Ford and a PC government to protect Ontario and the economy and bring the Haldimand Norfolk’s unique voices to the table moving forward.”

Visit the Elections Ontario website to find out how, when, and where to vote in the upcoming February 27th election. The deadline to vote in advance by mail is Feb. 21 (6 p.m.).

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Martin has taken an unpaid leave so that she can focus on her bid to be the next Member of Provincial Parliament for Haldimand-Norfolk. In her place on Council is current Deputy Mayor Doug Brunton, who is the acting mayor during the election campaign.

In addition to her unpaid leave of absence from Norfolk County, Mayor Martin is also be taking leave from the following unpaid positions: Chair of the Grand Erie Public Health’s Board of Health, Chair of SCOR EDC (South Central Ontario Region Economic Development Corporation), and Chair of WOWC (Western Ontario Wardens’ Caucus).

- with files from Chris Abbott