Mount Pearl Deputy Mayor Nicole Kieley last week announced her intention to seek the Liberal nomination in Cape Spear, a riding encompassing the City of Mount Pearl, the towns of Paradise and Petty Harbour-Maddox Cove, and a portion of the City of St. John’s.
“A lot of work I’ve done started with community, and with people,” said Kieley. “And when you work with people, you find that the issues on the ground and in front of you are related to the larger structures and organizations in government.”
Kieley said she feels that running for federal office is the best way to advocate for folks in her community.
“I believe we need someone who is a fighter, who knows the people, and understands the value of unity,” said Kieley. “I think it’s important for us to recognize that our world is changing. We are going to need fresh voices; we are going to need innovative thoughts and initiatives.”
Kieley said she had been considering putting her name forward since incumbent Seamus O’Regan announced his resignation back in July, and after much self-reflection and conversations with friends and family, decided to do so, despite the challenges the position poses.
“To quote some people, ‘You don’t owe nothing to nobody - go explore the world, or go grow a garden,’ and that’s what I absolutely can do,” said Kieley. “I don’t need to be where I am, but this is where I want to be, it’s who I am, and who I’ve always been. This is my garden, that I want to tend to. And yes, it’ s going to be a challenge, and it’s going to take energy, but it is also meaningful and gives me purpose and fills my cup at the same time.”
If selected as candidate and, following that, elected to office, Kieley swears to push for housing that is accessible and inclusion for all members of the community and to support a greener energy economy.
“I’m someone that people know they can go to and talk to,” said Kieley. “And I’m a fighter. And when I’ve listened to someone, and listened to the experts in the region, I am going to fight for them as strongly as I’ve fought for myself.”
She added that, especially in light of tariffs imposed upon Canada by U.S. President Donald Trump, political parties must find a way to work together moving forward.
“I believe in the values and ideology of the Liberal Party, but it’s necessary to find common ground with other parties around policies, and around how we move forward,” said Kieley. “Division in politics is going to be our downfall. But, as you see in municipal politics, learning to debate, and work, and exercise our ideas and solutions together without making it about politics is going to be key.”
In light of her decision to run for the federal nomination, Kieley has taken a leave of absence from council.
“It has been probably the most incredible experience I’ve had in my life, career wise, and even personally,” said Kieley of her time on council. “It has been an honour and a pleasure to serve. I love my city, I love where I come from.”
Kieley expressed gratitude to staff, members of council, and the city as a whole, for the love and care shown to her following a traumatic car crash that robbed her of a leg.
“After my accident, the city carried me,” said Keiley. “And I mean everybody. I woke up, and yes, it was really difficult at the time, and it was traumatic and there was a lot going on, but at the same time, everybody stood by me. It was everywhere. I received countless notes from schools and from colleagues. Every Facebook message I received was important to my recovery at the time, and mental health.”
Opposing the Liberal candidate will be Paradise resident Corey Curtis, who secured the Conservative nomination earlier this winter.
A date for the election has not yet been set.
