By Chris Lewis | Jan. 21, 2021
Long-time Mount Pearl resident Cindy Grant is taking her first dive into politics with an optimistic attitude.
Grant has spent her entire life in and around Mount Pearl. She grew up and attended school in Mount Pearl and raised her children there. She now lives in adjacent South Brook and said she is exceptionally proud of the area.
Grant, who is running for the Progressive Conservatives in the District of Mount Pearl – Southlands, said she believes her personality is a good fit for the role, describing herself as a very outgoing person who is “always up for a chat.” She said many people know her for her distinct and robust voice.
Grant said that she has been doing her best to help people in and around the area for the last two decades, having dedicated herself to volunteerism.
“I just want to be the voice that people in our community can depend on and trust,” she said. “That’s why I decided to do it.”
Grant works in the airline industry, which has been facing some hardships over the last year due to COVID-19. It meant there was likely not going to be a better time for Grant to give politics a shot. It’s something she said she has wanted to do for quite a while.
“I said to myself, ‘Cindy, this is a sign — this is your chance to show everybody what you can do and what you’re made of.”
Grant said she has a deep love for the area and said the process for tackling its issues boils down to one tactic: listening to the people.
“I’ve been listening and solving problems for 14 years,” she said.
Grant said business development in the district needs a shot in the arm, arguing that constituents want to work where they live. That’s why job creation, one of the main planks of the PC platform, is so important, she argued. The concerns of rotational workers are an essential part of her campaign platform as well, she said. In her line of work, Grant said, she has spoken to many rotational workers and has become intimately familiar with their struggles, especially during the pandemic.
“Having to leave for months at a time to provide for their families, and then COVID-19 hit,” she said. “Watching what they had to deal with – flying in and out. But the way the government treated them during this pandemic, it’s literally heartbreaking … As far as I’m concerned, our rotational workers contribute a lot to our community and our economy. I really want to be their voice, because it’s something I feel I’d be fantastic at.”
Grant the PCs are ready to tackle such issues.
“We need to get to work and bring back jobs to our province and communities,” said Grant. “I absolutely believe in (the PC party). We have to improve our economy for our families and for the kids so that they can actually stay here and live secure lives.”
Grant said she will be hitting the streets and knocking on doors once her campaign literature is printed.
“I just want to encourage the people of Mount Pearl and Southlands to come forward to me with their issues and needs,” Grant said. “I’m a very one-on-one person, and I just hope that they feel as though they can reach out to me.”
Grant said she feels people want change in Newfoundland and Labrador. Although this may be a difficult time to hold an election, she said she feels the province is still in a pretty good place compared to other parts of the country. She applauded the efforts of Newfoundlanders for keeping COVID-19 numbers low.
Grant highlighted the critical role that special ballots will play this year, adding that those who do not feel comfortable with the regular voting process can cast their votes early and by mail.
“That’s something I’ll be reaching out to our seniors about, for sure,” she said. “It’s a great option that people can take advantage of.”
