Sue Montgomery, former Gazette reporter, seeking NDP nomination

Sue Montgomery is making the jump to federal politics and isseeking the NDP nomination in her home riding of Notre-Dame-de-GrceWestmount.

Up until lastMarch, Montgomery was a justice reporter with the Montreal Gazette.

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She was one of five journalists who accepted a buyout package from Postmedia, the Gazette's parent company, last winter.

"Many Canadians are fed up with the Harper regime and the Liberals are not a viable option," said Montgomery.

"I can no longer sit back and watch."

Montgomery has covered many elections over the course of her 30-year career in journalism.

She says she's not worried about being on the other side of the podium andher experience will make her a "straight-talking" candidate.

Montgomerygained national attentionwhen she and a colleague started the social media hashtag #beenrapedneverreported.

The hashtag was started to open up a dialogue among sexual assault survivorsafter severalwomen came forward with previously unreportedallegations of assault and sexual assault involvingformer CBC host Jian Ghomeshi.

Montgomery says she would like to continue the work that was started with #beenrapedneverreportedif elected as an MP.

She said her priorities also include theenvironment and re-establishing Canada's reputation on the international stage.

Candidates for the NDP nomination in NDG-Westmount are still coming forward. Montgomery says there are at least seven other people seeking the same nomination.

Newly redrawn riding

One of thosecandidates is currentCte-des-NeigesNotre-Dame-de-Grce city councillor Peter McQueen.

The chosen NDP candidate will be up against a significant opponent: Liberal incumbentMarc Garneau.

Garneauis the sitting MP in the Westmount-Ville-Marieriding. That riding will cease to exist following the next election. The area will be served by two ridings: NDG-Westmount andVille-MarieLe Sud-Ouestle-des-Surs.

Garneau was acclaimed as the Liberal candidate in NDG-Westmount last year.

"I like Marc Garneau. He's a good politician," Montgomery said.

"But it's time for him to move on and make way for new ideas and new blood."