About Us

Brantford Brant NDP
Riding Association

The NDP began as an alliance between organized labour and the political left in Canada and our local chapter is keeping that energy alive; The majority of our 10-person riding association are members of labour unions, teachers, and students.

These positions are unpaid. This is a group of people who choose to give their time because they believe that the NDP can be their vehicle for the change they want to see in Brantford. We hope that we can make you see it too.

Our Team

Our team is made up of dedicated individuals devoted to the betterment of their community. They are volunteers from all walks of life, living in the City of Brantford, the County of Brant, Six Nations of the Grand River and Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation.

If you’re interested in getting involved with the NDP in any way or amount, we would love to have you. Our team is always excited to meet new people and share the work.

Join Our Team
Lukas Oakley
Lukas OakleyPresident (Federal & Provincial)
Lukas was raised in Paris, Ontario. Lukas pursued a chemistry education at the University of Guelph; going on to work in a variety of roles using those skills at Terrapure Environmental and Epitome Genetics. Lukas has been in a variety of management and advisory positions at these companies as an Information Technology Manager and Product Manager. He has been and continues to be an active volunteer in progressive provincial and federal politics, sitting as the current President of the Provincial Brantford-Brant NDP. Lukas also sits as as a Councillor for the County of Brant, representing Ward 2.
Chris PowlesVice-President (Federal) & Secretary (Provincial)
Fatima De JesusVice-President (Provincial)
David Mann
David MannFinancial Agent (Federal)
David is a third-generation Brantford citizen. He works in the field of financial software. A member of the Brant NDP since 1979, he has served as Financial Agent and CFO for 11 years in Brant, Haldimand-Norfolk and Windsor-West; and as Official Agent and CFO for seven election campaigns. His life-project to build Canada’s NDP into a social-democratic party that can govern Canada based on a program of workers’ rights and eliminating debt while rejecting association with all authoritarian tendencies world-wide.
Andy Straisfeld
Andy StraisfeldCFO (Provincial)
Shelagh Finnigan
Shelagh FinniganSecretary (Federal) & Labour Representative (Provincial)
Born in Northern Alberta, Shelagh moved to the County of Elgin as a teen and worked in a variety of fields: tobacco, melons, peppers and strawberries until she completed her education. On completing her education at the University of Windsor and University of Western Ontario she promptly moved to Kitchenuhmaykoosib- Inninuwig, Ontario for her first teaching post. In 2000 she moved to Brantford and has taken courses in leadership through Trent, UBC and Lakehead while teaching high school. In her community she is an active volunteer for Kiwanis helping with events and collecting donations from the Brant- Brantford area for the food bank. She is passionate about labor rights and believes that when people vote according to what is best for future generations, the world will be a better place. She worked on the recently ratified local collective agreement for the teachers bargaining unit of OSSTF D23, has worked as their executive chair, is the Branch Representative for Paris District High School, and has worked on various committees and councils to build relationships with the community.
Adrienne Roberts
Adrienne RobertsWomen's Representative (Federal & Provincial)
Raised in Ancaster, Adrienne moved to Brantford in 2011. A lover of learning, she has graduated from a variety of post-secondary programmes at McMaster University, Lakehead University, and Memorial University of Newfoundland. As a third-generation union member, she is an active member of OSSTF, and sits on the local executive as secretary. Her mission while serving as Vice-President of both riding associations is to continue to grow the local NDP membership, support people-first motions and policies as developed by the NDP and help prepare for future elections.

Harvey Bischof
Harvey BischofMembership Organizer (Provincial)
With his wife, Fatima, Harvey has been living and raising his family in Brantford for over 15 years. He earned an Honours BA in English Literature at Trent University and an MA and BEd at Queen’s University. Additionally, he completed the Directors certificate from the Institute of Corporate Directors at the Rotman School of Management. His 31-year career in education included 14 years on the provincial executive of the Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation, serving from 2017 to 2021 as President. His commitment to education continues through his current position as Ontario Regional Director of ResearchED Canada, a nation-wide volunteer organization promoting evidence-supported teaching practices. He also volunteers with Hearts to Homes Feline Rescue and Shelter and the Brant County SPCA. He was the Ontario NDP candidate for Brantford-Brant in the 2022 election and remains committed to the NDP’s work and vision.
Sydney Brouillard-Coyle2SLGTBQIA+ Representative (Provincial)
Ben PicklesYouth Representative (Federal & Provincial)