‘We have to be really careful that children don’t become pawns in some sort of political game’

Marit Stiles believes she has a lot of issues to deal with in the north. 

The leader of the NDP and leader of the opposition in Ontario since 2023, started her journey north with a trip to North Bay, where she spoke with officials involved in the PADDLE program, which has been denied core funding recently by the province. 

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She says that until the legislature resumes, she will be traveling across the province, talking to and listening to people. 

On the topic of local healthcare, she says North Bay cannot afford the loss of 40 jobs at the North Bay Regional Health Centre. 

The hospital announced 40 layoffs on October 23, 2025, including nurses, PSWs, clerical staff, a pharmacy technician, and a patient food service worker.

“That is outrageous,” she said in a small media conference at Highball Billiards Bar and Grill on Second Avenue in North Bay on Monday afternoon.  

“And we know already that they’re struggling with wait times. This is only going make things worse. So the answer is investment, it’s funding. There is only one answer to these problems. And the government needs to do something, and they need to do something right now.

“Needs are increasing in communities like this, and you can’t just pretend that everybody is gonna be able to function without further investment. That’s just not realistic. And what we’re hearing, again and again, of course, is that healthcare workers are burning out as well, because they’re having to take on more, but the need is not going to change; it will just mean more pressure on the people taking care of us.” 

Stiles suggests they bring in nurse-patient ratios like those being done in British Columbia. 

“Things like that will ensure that our healthcare workers don’t burn out.” 

School Board takeover

Stiles says she has also been keeping a close eye on the recent Near North School Board takeover by the province. 

The Ministry of Education assumed control of the Near North District School Board (NNDSB) on December 1. 

“I wish we knew right now who the government was gonna appoint as a supervisor,” noted Stiles. 

“I don’t believe we know that yet. And other Boards, they’ve assigned conservative insiders who don’t necessarily have a background in education, which is concerning for parents.

“I’ve been listening to parents here at North Bay within the Near North Board, who have been raising their voices with concern for a long time. So, I know that they’re really concerned about what this next step is gonna mean.”

See related: Province takes control of Near North School Board, sparking local backlash

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Stiles wants to see the government actually put students’ and parents’ voices first.

“That’s what’s concerning me right now,” she said.  

“The one thing about removing trustees is you move that local level of democracy that’s accountable to the people. But I know that the people here and the parents have been raising their voices for a very long time, so what I want now is to know that the person who’s gonna be getting involved here is gonna centralize parent voices and kids, right? We have to be really careful that children don’t become pawns in some sort of political game.”