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For the first time in more than 20 years, one of the oldest and largest black communities in Nova Scotia will be represented by a black congressman-no matter which side wins.
All three candidates announced in Preston Riding are black. It is believed that this is the first time in the province’s history that there has been an all-black candidate list.
Liberal Party candidate Angela Simmonds said: “I think this does illustrate the fact that we are now sitting at the negotiating table.”
“We have more platforms. We are confident and truly believe that we can run for these powerful positions.”
Symonds spent Saturday morning with Progressive Conservative Party candidate Archibears and New Democratic Party candidate Colt Symonds Take part in the annual North Preston Day Parade.
All three candidates were born and raised in North Preston or nearby Cherry Creek, and they have given back to the community in various ways throughout their lives and careers.
Beals is the co-chair Preston Town Covid Response Team, Won the 2020 Nova Scotia Human Rights Award.
He too Former African Nova Scotia member of the Halifax Regional School Board, And said that if elected, he plans to focus on education and mental health support for young people.
“The community has given me a lot over the years. I think it’s time to give back,” Bill said.
Colt Symonds of the New Democratic Party is Community advocate and basketball coach, The friendly nickname CC, short for Coach Colter.
Colter Simmonds said that he is passionate about bringing changes to the community, especially for young people in the area, and he believes that “keep away from big parties” is the best way to achieve this goal.
He said: “I want to see the children wake up in the morning believing that they have the opportunity to do whatever they want, whatever they want.”
Angela Simmonds of the Liberal Party is a lawyer, educator and executive director of the Land Ownership Initiative. Leading the work to allow the people of North Preston to have legal ownership of their land.
Her turn to politics is a way of “giving a voice” to others in her community. If elected, she will focus on education, justice, and environmental issues.
‘Late over’
Angela Simmonds credits former MLA Yvonne Atwell and Wayne Adams for “paving the way” for this year’s candidates.
Atwell and Adams were the first black women elected to the House of Representatives of Nova Scotia and black Canadians, respectively. Adams represented the region from 1993 to 1998, and Atville from 1998 to 1999. Since then, horseback riding has been represented by the white MLA.
After being abolished in 2012 and becoming part of the Preston-Dartmouth constituency, Preston is now back as a so-called protected areaIt aims to help increase the number of black representatives in the Nova Scotia legislature-what Colt Simmonds calls “it should have been done long ago.”
“If you talk to community members, you talk about how we were put back here and forgotten, a forgotten person,” he said.
“Now we have a person who can represent the voice of the community and the problems of the community.”
Bills said Preston has “unique” problems and communities need to be represented by people who understand them.
The three black candidates pledged to have at least one seat in the black community legislature—Bill and Angela Simmonds both called it “historic.”
“You know, I am a competitor, so I want to win,” she said. “But I think it’s a victory for all of us anyway.”
For more stories about the experience of black Canadians—from anti-black racism to success stories in the black community—check out Black Canadians, a CBC project that Canadian blacks can be proud of. You can read more stories here.
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