Daria Juüdi-Hope, MPH ’20, is hoping to bring new leadership to Kingston and the Islands as the New Democratic Party’s (NDP) candidate in the federal election on April 28.
Juüdi-Hope was nominated as the NDP candidate in March 2024, and the election marks her first run for office. A ed nurse and longtime healthcare advocate, she said her experiences delivering primary and emergency care to Indigenous communities across Ontario, Manitoba, and East Africa drew her into politics.
“It’s time for change. This [running for office] is about advocating for what Kingstonians and Islanders deserve,” Juüdi-Hope said in an interview with The Journal. “Being able to be that voice for folks really motivates me,” she added, explaining why she felt compelled to run.
Affordability, healthcare access, and housing are among Juüdi-Hope’s top priorities. She pointed to the NDP’s proposals for a cap on grocery prices, stronger rent control measures, and a universal school food program as key solutions to the rising cost of living.
“Folks shouldn’t have to choose between paying rent and buying groceries,” Juüdi-Hope said.
On housing, Juüdi-Hope emphasized the party’s plan to build three million homes by 2030 to address growing affordability challenges.
Having obtained a Bachelors of Nursing Science and Master’s in Public Health at Queen’s, Juüdi-Hope has remained active in the Kingston community. She previously served as the Chair of Kingston’s Health Providers Against Poverty, Co-chair of the Black Nurses Leading Change Interest Group, and currently sits on Queen’s University Council.
Healthcare remains a central pillar of her platform. Juüdi-Hope said she would advocate for the expansion of federal programs such as pharmacarend to restore federal healthcare spending, which is set to decline under the 2023 federal budget, in addition to better mental health . Health Canada is aiming to reduce national health spending by approximately $20 million in 2024-25, with further cuts planned through 2026-27.
“When it comes to public safety and mental health, we [the NDP] will ensure that we have more mental health workers working alongside one person.,” she explained.
Juüdi-Hope also noted issues currently facing students, including food insecurity as an emergency in Kingston and a lack of affordable housing. She voiced for basic income guarantee, citing the cancelled 2017 to 2019 Ontario Basic Income Pilot as a promising model. The program was implemented in three regions for select participants to study the benefits of basic income, but the was discontinued by the Ford government.
READ MORE: City of Kingston declares food insecurity an emergency
To tackle housing concerns for students, Juüdi-Hope plans to speak directly with post-secondary institutions in the riding, including Queen’s University and St. Lawrence College, to understand what strategies are underway to student housing and ensure funding goes towards ing these programs.
Residents of Kingston and the Islands can vote at their assigned polling station on April 28.
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