Giovanna Mingarelli, candidate for the Liberal Party of Canada, explains in an interview her relationship with the riding of Prescott-Russell-Cumberland, the main issues in her electoral campaign, and her desire to support women and children who are victims of domestic violence.

Benjamin Richard – Local Journalism Initiative

"I see my riding as my home. [...] I love my community, it’s where I feel safe and stable" says Giovanna Mingarelli of the riding she's running in. She also mentions that she is proud to be bilingual, having attended a French-language elementary school and an English-language high school, both in Rockland. As for her path to becoming a candidate, she explains that she always knew she wanted to become a federal MP. So, when Francis Drouin, the riding's current MP, told her a few months ago that he wouldn't be running again, she took the opportunity to make her dream come true by running as the Liberal candidate for Prescott-Russell-Cumberland.

Fighting domestic violence
When asked if there was a particular issue close to her heart, Mingarelli mentioned her desire to support women and children, particularly those who are victims of conjugal and domestic violence. She mentioned the Maison Interlude project, a housing service in Eastern Ontario for abused women and their children, which has been in operation for over 30 years. The project offers several free and confidential support services in French and English, and is looking to build new houses. “That is something that I would very much like to support as one example” explains Giovanna Mingarelli.