Mental health professional Elizabeth Van Houtte chosen to be the NDP candidate in Simcoe North

ORILLIA — New Democrats in Simcoe North have nominated local social worker and community builder Elizabeth Van Houtte as their Ontario NDP candidate for the 2022 provincial election.

Quotes

NDP Deputy Leader John Vanthof
“The people of Simcoe North deserve an MPP who listens to them, respects them, and fights for better for them — and that’s Elizabeth Van Houtte. Elizabeth will fight to bring down the cost of bills like auto insurance and hydro, revamp seniors care so it helps our parents and grandparents preserve their quality of live, rather than taking it away, and fight for our fair share when it comes to education and health care investments. Instead of big cuts and bad choices by the Liberals and Conservatives, Elizabeth Van Houtte is the MPP we need to be there to fight for investments into Simcoe North.”

Elizabeth Van Houtte, NDP candidate for Simcoe North
“During the pandemic, instead of investing in our community and the services we need, the Ford government made cuts. Local businesses were forced to shut down, parents and students struggled, the cost of living shot up and our health care and seniors care was brought to its knees. Doug Ford was cutting before the pandemic, and he’s already gone right back to cutting. Families in Simcoe North need action now to bring down the costs, and strengthen our health care and seniors care. I am here to fight for families and for our community. Together with Andrea Horwath’s New Democrats, local families can have a more affordable life and community services they can depend on.”

Bio:

• Van Houtte holds a Ph.D. in social work. She has a private practice providing clinical social work in Orillia.
• Van Houtte has developed and managed mental health services in Orillia and across Ontario
• Van Houtte served five years on the executive board for Huronia Highlands Ontario Association of Social Workers
• Van Houtte has taught at Laurentian University, Lakehead University, Mohawk College and Georgian College
• Van Houtte volunteered as lead chef at the Mariposa Folk Festival, instructed a cooking class for Orillia Community Kitchen
• Van Houtte has lived in Orillia since 2010 with her husband and 16-year-old twin daughters