Ontario NDP introduces fund dedicated to electing Black, Indigenous and racialized candidates in 2022

BIPOC Victory Fund anchors a broader push to nominate and elect diverse candidates

QUEEN’S PARK — In preparation for the 2022 provincial election, the Ontario NDP has launched its BIPOC Victory Fund – a fund dedicated specifically to supporting candidates that are Black, Indigenous and people of colour.

“The BIPOC Victory Fund is a critical part of our broader effort to nominate, empower and elect candidates that reflect the incredible diversity of communities across Ontario,” said Official Opposition NDP Leader Andrea Horwath.

“We are excited to keep building on decades of work that in 2018 culminated in helping New Democrats elect the strongest, most diverse Official Opposition Ontario has ever seen. That means doing everything from helping folks encourage leaders in their communities to run, to assisting candidates throughout the process, and ensuring BIPOC candidates have the support and resources not just to be nominated, but to win.”

The BIPOC Victory Fund will harness the Ontario NDP’s network of thousands of grassroots supporters and new donors in communities across Ontario, to empower the next generation in a long legacy of trailblazers, from Zanana Akande (the first Black woman elected to Queen’s Park, and the first Black woman cabinet minister in Canada) to Jagmeet Singh, Sol Mamakwa, Guy Bourgouin, Suze Morrison, Doly Begum, Bhutila Karpoche, Jill Andrew, Laura Mae Lindo, Gurratan Singh, Faisal Hassan, Kevin Yarde and so many others.

“As New Democrats, we know nominating a diverse slate is important, but it is not enough to spark real change,” added Horwath.

“This is part of our plan to ensure strong BIPOC leaders rooted in community sit in the legislature and at the cabinet table, so that when we form government in 2022, Black, Indigenous and racialized perspectives inform every piece of legislation we pass.”