Ashley Nemeth – a mother of three, vision-loss advocate and author of popular blog Blind Moving On – was nominated Monday to be the New Democrat candidate in the constituency of Indian Head-Milestone.
“It’s an absolute joy to formally welcome Ashley to our team,” said NDP Leader Cam Broten, who attended Nemeth’s nomination Monday afternoon. “Ashley is inspiring in so many ways. She's compassionate, intelligent and tireless in her fight for fairness and she's determined to build a Saskatchewan in which everyone has both the opportunity and the supports they need to reach their full potential. She’s going to be an incredible MLA.
“People in this constituency are increasingly tired of being taken for granted by the Sask. Party. They want an MLA that shares their priorities, that brings good common-sense to the Legislature, and that never hesitates to stand up for what matters most to families in this constituency. That's why Ashley is such a great choice.”
Born with low-vision, Nemeth worked as an insurance broker until just over two years ago, when she lost the remainder of her vision. Now, she is a volunteer and leader with the Canadian National Institute for the Blind (CNIB), giving presentations on eye safety, running a peer support group for seniors experiencing vision loss, serving as a dinner coach for the CNIB’s Dine in the Dark events, as well as working with the CNIB to have vision rehabilitation integrated into the health care system.
“I'm proud to join Cam Broten's team, because I share his values and I'm excited about his vision of families, students and seniors benefiting so much more in Saskatchewan,” said Nemeth. “We need to reduce wait times in health care and ensure that more supports are available, in a whole range of areas, including mental health and vision rehabilitation services. We need to make sure that our kids' classrooms have the right resources and aren't crowded. We need to invest in infrastructure, including desperately needed overpasses along Highway 1 in this constituency. Those are the kinds of priorities we need to focus on, and I want to work with Cam to make that happen.”
Nemeth grew up in Indian Head, where she and her husband, a worker at the Co-op Refinery, are now raising their three children. In her spare time, Nemeth likes to go snowboarding in the winter and camping in the summer.