Winnipeg activist Blandine Tona to seek St. Boniface NDP nomination

A human-rights activist and educator says she is seeking the NDPnomination for St. Boniface after former MLA and premier Greg Selinger'sdecision to resign.

Blandine Tonamade the announcement official Wednesday morning in front of a crowd of supporters and media at theCentre Culturel Franco-Manitobain.

When asked about the timing of her announcement, she said it was overdue.

"Now, I think, is late," she said,"because of the changes we have been experiencing for a few months now and, I think, over a yearare real."

Tonasays the opportunity presented itself when Selinger resigned, and she decided to seize it. "Unfortunately, it was under a sad condition, but you have to be able to respond to the community's need," she said.

Selinger announced his resignation last week after earlier apologizing for failing to discipline former MLA Stan Strutherswhen he was accused by several former NDP party staffers of sexual misconductover several years. Eventually, those staffers went to the media with their concerns.

"I've been really involved in grassroot movementfor years," Tonasaid,"because I think we should always challenge authority and the government and askand demand the government do better.

"[The NDP] took some things for granted, and now those things are falling apart."

Tona currently worksas a program co-ordinator at the Sexuality Resource Centre ,and teaches courses at the University of Winnipeg and theUniversit de Saint-Boniface. She is also working towarda Ph.D. overseas in peace and conflict studies in her native country of Cameroon.

One of her main concerns are cuts to provincial programming, especially health care, she says.

"This government is failing us every day Knowing the impact on youth, knowing the impact on women, knowing the impact on the community and elders, I feel that is the person that I don't want to be.We shouldn't balance the budget on the backof vulnerable people."

Tona says she wants to see a comprehensive plan that works with people to understand their needs while being fiscally responsible.

Tona has served on numerous women's, gender equality and human rights boards and groups throughout the city.

She and her husband,Clment Seyi, have three children.