Kanata⁠ NDP

Melissa Simon nominated to represent the new riding of Kanata in 2025 Federal Election 

The Kanata NDP Riding Association is pleased to announce that Melissa Simon was selected as the riding's NDP candidate for the 2025 Federal election.

Having lived in Kanata for over 20 years and with a Bachelor of Social Work (Honours) from Carleton University, Melissa is a dedicated advocate for social equity and community empowerment.  She is currently in the process of completing her law degree from Carleton University. 

She has significant social work experience, including roles focused on accessibility and support for families and individuals.  As a small business owner, she supports local industry while actively volunteering in her community.  Melissa is committed to enhancing the well-being of all Canadians through progressive policies and community engagement.  Because of her interest in food insecurity, she has volunteered for the Ottawa Food Bank and the Ontario Natural Food Cooperative.  She maintains membership in the Canadian Wool Collective, a grassroots organization whose aim is to build domestic capacity for the Canadian wool industry.  

She is familiar with the high tech sector in Kanata, having been employed as a technical writer in industry for the last 8 years.  She was personally impacted by the harsh economic reality facing Canadians today, having been recently laid off due to the increasingly negative economic conditions faced by her employer.  She shares the concerns of Canadians in regard to US President Trump’s tariffs and she pledges to advocate for stronger EI program support for workers negatively affected.  

Melissa shares NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh’s vision that it is imperative that Canada maintain a strong social safety net.  In addition to increasing EI payments, she agrees with the recently announced NDP policy proposals such as  building an east-west electricity grid and putting money collected through retaliatory tariffs into affected sectors, such as aluminum, steel and auto manufacturing.  She knows that it is imperative that Canada protect resources, especially critical minerals, water and agriculture.  Climate change is also a priority and ending the $18 billion corporate subsidy on oil and gas in favour of rebating Canadian families and businesses $10,000 for buying or leasing a Canadian-manufactured zero-emissions vehicle or $5,000 for buying or leasing a zero-emissions vehicle manufactured elsewhere.

She has stated that, “As a Canadian, caring for one another is in my cultural DNA and it is critical in this time of uncertainty that Canada preserve and enhance government programs that support workers and citizens; programs such as  Medicare, EI, subsidized child-care, pharmacare and dental care.   Raising the amount of untaxed income from $16,129 to $19,500 recognizes the dire economic circumstances faced by Canadians today.”  And added that “Due to the global economic warfare begun by the US, I strongly support our leader’s call that the Canada Savings Bond program be resurrected so that Canadians can invest in their own country and our own citizens as was done during times of similar grave threats to our country.”

For further information, please contact Morgan Goddard at the Melissa Simon campaign at campaign@kcndp.org or phone 613-963-0145.