By Mike Renzella
The Haldimand Press
HALDIMAND — Local MPP Bobbi Ann Brady is thinking ahead to the 2026 provincial election, with the launch of the Haldimand-Norfolk Independent Constituency Association’s (HNICA) fundraising efforts to help her seek re-election as an independent candidate.
The first of many planned HNICA fundraisers will take place on Thursday, April 20, 2023 at the Port Dover Community Centre. Dubbed an ‘Independence Day Dinner’, the event will be a chance for supporters to gather and hear from the MPP, in addition to gust speaker Richard Brennan, a retired Queen’s Park correspondent.
Jeff Helsdon, Chief Financial Officer for HNICA, talked a little about the group, which formed in the fall of 2022 following Brady’s head-turning victory in last year’s June 2, 2022 provincial election, where she earned her place as the first independent MPP to represent Haldimand-Norfolk at Queen’s Park.
“The association’s goal is to raise funds for the next election campaign and to support MPP Brady,” said Heldson. “The association is just getting started. At this point, the fundraising dinner on April 20 is the major project members are working on. There is also talk about hosting a golf tournament and having a ladies night.”
With three years to go until the next provincial election, the team has plenty of time to prepare for what will surely be another tough battle for Brady, who will likely once again face candidates from all the major political parties, including scrutiny from her rivals over her Term 1 report card as an independent MPP.
Some have questioned whether Brady might consider crossing the floor to campaign for a political party, particularly the Conservative Party, for whom Brady served in her previous job as assistant to former MPP Toby Barrett. However, while Brady still calls herself a fiscal conservative at heart, the MPP has spoken often since the election on her freedom to speak on issues she feels passionate about, like her recent private members bill aimed at protecting farmland, rather than being restricted by party expectations.
The upcoming dinner will will be catered and feature a Lake Erie perch dinner, with chicken available as an alternative.
Retired Toronto Star reporter Richard Brennan, who spent his career covering Queen’s Park, will share a speech guiding guests through his long and storied career.
Tickets are only available in advance and are $100 each.
For more information on how to purchase a ticket online or via mail, visit the MPP’s campaign website at votebobbiannbrady.com/donations.
Heldson added that attendees will receive a tax receipt for “about half the ticket cost, or ticket price minus the cost of food.”
He hopes that their events will become annual traditions over the next few years and concluded, “This will be a great night and if people would like to join the association and MPP Brady for a night of fellowship, good food and fun, we would love to see them.”
