Norfolk mayor appointed to run as Conservative MPP candidate in next election by Premier Doug Ford

HALDIMAND—Haldimand Norfolk MPP Bobbi Ann Brady is set to go toe-to-toe with Norfolk Mayor Amy Martin in the next provincial election following Martin’s appointment as the Ontario PC party candidate for the riding.

The appointment was announced Friday, November 29, 2024 by Ontario Premier Doug Ford. It marks the second provincial election in a row where the Haldimand-Norfolk candidate was appointed by the Premier instead of a nomination process being hosted by the local PC Association.


“Amy Martin is a dedicated advocate and leader for her community and I look forward to having her on our team at Queen’s Park,” said Ford in a press release. “Working together, we’re going to continue fighting the Liberal carbon tax to keep costs down, investing in workers, building and improving infrastructure, roads and highways, and attracting better jobs with bigger paycheques for the people of Haldimand-Norfolk.”

Martin shared some initial thoughts with The Press on her background and why she believes she is well-qualified to step into the role of MPP.

Martin has six years of political experience under her belt, serving as a ward councillor prior to stepping into the mayor’s seat following the 2022 municipal election.

“Over the past six years, I’ve worked closely with residents, businesses, and other levels of government to tackle a wide range of issues, from infrastructure challenges to economic development and healthcare access. This experience has given me a deep understanding of our community’s needs and the ability to work with other levels of government to deliver results,” said Martin.

She said her experience has also shown her the importance of collaboration and building relationships to achieve progress.

“As MPP I will continue to build and solidify the relationships I’ve already established with provincial decisionmakers, ensuring that Haldimand-Norfolk’s voice is heard and our priorities are reflected in provincial policies,” she shared. “I look forward to working alongside the Ontario PC Party to expand local healthcare access, invest in primary care, build critical local infrastructure, and keep costs down.”
Martin concluded, “Haldimand-based voters should know that I’m deeply committed to advocating for the unique needs of our region. I’m here to listen, to learn, and to lead. I will ensure that the voices of Haldimand residents are heard loud and clear at Queen’s Park.”

Similar to the response when previous Haldimand mayor Ken Hewitt was appointed to the PC candidate spot in 2022, some members of the public have responded negatively to the news that a local voting process will not occur. As The Press reported earlier this year, at least one other resident was seeking to run for the local candidacy.

Details on how Martin was appointed to the role were limited as of press time. The Press reached out to the local PC Association and Ford’s office for further explanation of that process. Stay tuned to next week’s edition for a deep dive on the response to Martin’s appointment, and any further comments received from the PCs.

Currently, the next provincial election is scheduled to take place in June of 2026, although there has been speculation that it could take place ahead of the next federal election, scheduled for October 2025.