TIMISKAMING-COCHRANE - A municipal politician is running for the Green Party in the next provincial election.
Kris Rivard has been nominated as the Green Party's candidate for Timiskaming-Cochrane. He is currently a Ward 1 councillor in West Nipissing.
“I’m running because I believe in a government that puts people before profits and stands behind every single Ontarian,” said Rivard in a news release.
“While Doug Ford has left rural communities like ours to fend for ourselves, Greens are fighting for more affordable homes, better healthcare and protections for the people and places we love.”
Sitting municipal councillors are allowed to run for higher office, but have to vacate their seat if elected.
Rivard is a sewage system inspector for the North Bay-Mattawa Conservation Authority and lives in Sturgeon Falls. He's married to Janique and has a son Matteo, they are awaiting the arrival of a second baby boy.
“Kris is a local champion who will be your voice at Queen’s Park,” said Ontario Green Party leader Mike Schreiner. “He’s not working for a political party – he’s working for you, and I know his energy and drive will get more done for the people of Timiskaming–Cochrane.”
In the riding, incumbent NDP John Vanthof is seeking another term at Queen's Park. The Conservative and Liberal candidates have not been announced.
RELATED: Vanthof making another run for NDP
Provincially, people will head to the polls in June 2026 at the latest, though Premier Doug Ford is expected to call an election for spring 2025. He has given sitting MPPs until December to say if they're running again.
