The New Democratic Party (NDP) candidate for Cariboo-Prince George held a meet-and-greet in 100 Mile House on Saturday, April 19.
Around 17 people turned out to have snacks and chat with Angie Bonazzo, the NDP candidate for the riding of Cariboo-Prince George. This year 100 Mile House was added to the riding after previously being part of Kamloops-Thompson-Cariboo.
According to her bio on the official NDP website, Bonazzo began her career in 2005 with the Northern Health Authority at the Fort Nelson General Hospital as a nursing assistant. She then moved to Dawson Creek in 2007 to work in long-term care, in which she had been "inspired by labour activists to become active with the Hospital Employees Union." She also worked in several leadership roles as a shop steward and a committee chair for JOHSC during the COVID-19 pandemic.
"I sat on the bargaining committee that argued the most successful bargaining agreement for 57,000 union members for the hospital employees' union," Bonazzo said. She stated she campaigns for the NDP because the party aligns with her values.
"It's about caring for people, it's about supporting those that aren't fully integrated in terms of equitable status in our society," she explained. "I want to align myself with the party that works with the people, preserves their health care, gives them a chance at housing, allows people to live a life of dignity. It's a natural progression that I gravitate towards the NDP as a healthcare worker, because I'm deeply connected to people and their lives when I work on the shop floor at the hospital."
Bonazzo believes that one of the major issues that 100 Mile House is facing is the lack of a federally licensed abattoir between 100 Mile House and Williams Lake. An abattoir is a facility where livestock animals are slaughtered to provide food. There have been several attempts over the years to bring one to the area, which have all proven unsuccessful.
"This is a massive deficit to the local economy here. It is quickly becoming one of my passions to get this abattoir up and functioning in the community," she stated.
Bonazzo also noted that there is a need for care spaces and long-term spaces for seniors in 100 Mile House.
As for the meet and greet, she said she was glad people had put it out there together to get the message out about her candidacy to the community. The 2025 federal election takes place on Monday, April 28, 2025, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
