Jeannette Tossounian vying for seat as an independent
Sixth candidate in Falls race. Jeannette Tossounian entered the race as the sixth candidate in the Niagara Falls riding on Wednesday, campaigning as an independent.
“I’m hoping to be an example that anyone from any background can run. I believe the party system needs to be abolished, (with) all independents running.”
This is Jeannette Tossounian’s mantra heading into the Oct. 6 provincial election. The freelance visual artist announced her intent to run as an independent on Wednesday afternoon, bringing the total number of candidates in the Niagara Falls riding to six.
The 36-year-old ran for a seat on Niagara Falls city council during the 2010 municipal election, to no avail. She’s hoping to use next month’s election as yet another opportunity to engage with local citizens, regardless of the outcome.
“I was originally asked to run for the Reform Party of Ontario, but decided it was not a good idea,” explained Tossounian.
“I’m a woman who speaks my mind, and I don’t want to follow any party. I have a real voice, where others are more or less trained.”
One of the most pressing issues facing her riding, said Tossounian, is ongoing tensions between the public, local politicians and the Niagara Health System in the wake of multiple C. difficile outbreaks throughout the spring and summer.
She was on hand at the July 6 Greater Niagara General hospital health care rally organized by Coun. Wayne Gates, and chanted “no more deaths” after simply picking up a placard off the ground. “The C. diff outbreak floored me...especially with nobody responding,” she said.
For Tossounian, that type of grassroots activism is what drives her everyday approach to politics. In December, 2009, she took a bus to Toronto to join to protest at Queen’s Park against the HST - a decision that almost landed her behind bars.
“I completely shook the House, yelling from the visitor’s gallery (and) causing the Speaker to rise and warn me that I could get arrested. I was willing to take that risk, and needless to say, everyone in Queen’s Park definitely now knows who I am.”
A longtime advocate of the arts, she operated the short-lived Tossounian Gallery in downtown Niagara Falls back in 2008, and remains actively involved in the Queen Street arts community.
Partnering with Pelham-based author Laura Lane, she most recently contributed the illustrations to the former’s e-book, I Am The Wind, and is currently working on the artwork for a forthcoming novel.
“I believe art is an important part of any local economy, but I’m a little wary of government-funded art agencies,” she said, adding that creativity can easily get lost in a “black hole” when mixed with grant money.
Self-described as “heavily involved in volunteering and charity work,” Tossounian spends much of her free time these days knitting winter clothing for local community outreach programs. She recently donated 100 pounds of homegrown grapes to Project SHARE and Community Care, and is “always calling the city (of Niagara Falls)” to report traffic, safety and environmental concerns.
“Whether campaigning or not, this is the person I am...completely driven,” she said. “I’ll always be a watchdog in the community.”
Tossounian will face off against five other candidates in the Oct. 6 provincial election: Kim Craitor (Liberal), Wayne Redekop (NDP), George Lepp (Progressive Conservative), Byrne Smith (Green) and Adam Hyde (Libertarian).
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