Born to a Greek mother, Manitoba MP Niki Ashton announced her candidacy for the next federal leader of the NDP on Monday. Ashton is the youngest woman candidate in the NDP’s leadership race, which was prompted by the death of its leader Jack Layton last summer.
The 29-year-old candidate speaks English and French fluently, while she claims her mother tongue is Greek. She is additionally learning Turkish, Russian, and Chinese.
Following her father Steve’s example, Ashton decided to pursue politics. Steve Ashton has been a provincial MLA in Manitoba for 30 years and is currently a cabinet minister.
During her launching speech at an event in Quebec, Mrs. Ashton impressed all attendees with her language skills and determination of introducing “new politics” to Canada.
The NDP will elect its new leader in March at a convention in Toronto.
Mrs. Ashton was married last September in an Orthodox Church in her mother’s home town Alexandroupolis, Greece.
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