First woman chief of Elsipogtog First Nation to run against Premier

FREDERICTON -- Susan Levi-Peters, the first woman Chief of the Elsipogtog First Nation, will run as a New Democrat against Premier Shawn Graham in the riding of Kent.

"I want a New Democrat voice in the New Brunswick Legislature because I am tired of the lies and broken promises of the Shawn Graham government," Ms. Levi-Peters said, "not only to my people but also to all middle class families."

"As the Chief, I had to lead a government that lived within it's means, but Shawn Graham and David Alward are not living within their means," Ms. Levi-Peters said. "They continue to promise more spending and tax cuts while the deficit is already the highest it has ever been. They are not being honest about New Brunswick's fiscal crisis, and it is the people of New Brunswick who will pay for their dishonesty when the bill comes in and there are cuts to health care and education."

"I am proud to be running with the Roger Duguay and the NDP because the NDP's number one rule is to be honest and fair," Ms. Levi-Peters said. "Unlike the Liberals and Conservatives, we will be honest about the fiscal situation this province is in and not make promises we cannot keep."

Ms. Levi-Peters was the Chief of the Elsipogtog First Nation from 2004 to 2008 and is a former band council member. She was instrumental in the signing of the bilateral agreement between First Nation communities and the Government of New Brunswick in 2007. Ms. Levi-Peters has also served as the Social Development Director for Elsipotog, Finance Comptroller for the North Shore District Council, and Supervisor of Big Cove Works. She currently manages a family business.