Kate Crothers, familiar to residents from her work as a designer, is running as the NDP candidate for the Bay of Quinte. The decision, she said, was motivated in part by her four children. 

“I am watching our world head rapidly in a direction that doesn’t feel like a great place for the next generation to live,” Ms. Crothers said.

“Housing doesn’t seem affordable anymore. Grocery bills are through the roof and with the tariffs, we’re seeing our economy bottom out so it’s becoming very clear that somebody needs to do something and instead of sitting back and watching it happen I decided I would be that somebody.”

She has been an active community member, from volunteering with the NDP to helping organize a local show of support for Palestine. 

Though this is her first run for public office, Ms. Crothers notes that as a small business owner, she has direct insight into the local economy. 

“I talk to tradespeople every day and other business members and it is really clear that everybody is very slow right now. I think people are scared of what’s happening in the south.” 

In response to the impact of Trump’s tariffs on the economy, Ms. Crothers emphasizes the NDP’s history of supporting workers. 

Everybody I know here wants their 
neighbours to succeed. 
They want to see vulnerable 
populations taken care of. 
They want everyone to have access to 
the social programming they need.
People really need to vote that way and 
make sure the left stays in conversation.

Kate Crothers, NDP Candidate

“The NDP believes that the focus should be working within our country to bolster trade here, creating new partnerships with provinces and also creating new trade lines with other countries aside from the U.S.” 

One of the party’s stronghold seats is in Windsor, home of the Canadian auto industry, right across the bridge from Detroit.

“The auto tariffs could be devastating. I think we really need to focus on taking care of our workers.”

Splitting the Vote

Ms. Crothers questions the tendency to see the Liberal Party and the NDP as simply two parties that split the progressive vote. 

“Under the leadership of Mark Carney we’re seeing the Liberals move more to the centre than they have in a very long time.” She highlights recent gains — national dental and pharmacare programs — as the result of the NDP’s work in government. 

“Our healthcare system is something that every Canadian is proud of.” 

“The NDP is working hard to protect that, making sure it’s not privatized. They are funding more hospital beds. They’re dedicated to reducing wait times.”

Ms. Crothers has roots in the region. While growing up in Campbellford, her first job was at the Quinte Mall. She studied at Loyalist for a year before earning a degree in History with a focus on Indigenous studies at Trent University.

She now works from her design studio on Picton Main Street, which will serve as a campaign command central for the month of April.

NDP support is growing in the Bay of Quinte. “Amanda Robertson pulled more votes than we ever had in this area,” she noted, crediting a dedicated team of volunteers and community members.