Thunder Bay – POLITICS 2.0 – As the New Democratic Party’s candidate for Thunder Bay–Superior North in the upcoming 2025 federal election, Joy Wakefield will run in her first campaign. The campaign trail will see Wakefield having to introduce herself to voters.
A bilingual lawyer and strategic consultant, Wakefield is no stranger to navigating complex systems, from the courtroom to the boardroom. Now, she’s looking to bring her talents to Parliament Hill on a platform centred around affordability, justice, and fairness for all Canadians.
Advocate for Equity, Grounded in the North
Wakefield has deep professional and personal ties to Northwestern Ontario. She previously served as the Director of Human Rights and Equity at Lakehead University, where she provided oversight and training for over 12,000 students, staff, and faculty. Prior to that, she spent nearly eight years as a Bilingual Staff Lawyer for Legal Aid Ontario, working across the Northwest, including a three-year secondment with the Justice Team at Nokiiwin Tribal Council—strengthening her connections to Indigenous communities and justice systems in the region.
Wakefield’s understanding of systemic barriers, and her frontline experience in delivering legal services to vulnerable populations, form the core of her campaign ethos: everyone deserves fairness, respect, and a fighting chance—no matter their background or income level.
National Voice with Local Commitment
Wakefield’s academic and professional track record speaks to her broad policy fluency and commitment to justice. She holds a Juris Doctor from Queen’s University, a Baccalauréat en droit from the Université de Sherbrooke, and an International BBA from the Schulich School of Business. Her early legal work included an internship at the United Nations, and she articled for the Superior Court of Justice in Northwestern Ontario.
She has also taught law at the Bora Laskin Faculty of Law, specializing in courses such as Poverty and the Law and Domestic Violence Law—areas deeply relevant to the day-to-day realities of many constituents in the riding.
Proven Leadership Across Institutions
Joy has held executive roles in the Society of United Professionals, representing more than 160 legal professionals across over 65 workplaces. Her governance résumé includes board service with the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre and the Cancer Quality Council of Ontario.
Her NDP campaign is focused on building a more just society with:
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Fair wages and stronger worker protections
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Public healthcare investments, including pharmacare and dental care
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Affordable housing and lower costs for everyday essentials
Wakefield is also expected to bring strong advocacy on issues tied to Indigenous justice, bilingual services, and community safety—areas where her professional experience offers unique credibility.
Thunder Bay–Superior North: A Key Riding in the North
Historically a Liberal stronghold, Thunder Bay–Superior North could become more competitive in 2025, especially as national dynamics shift. With Liberal MP Patty Hajdu having held the seat since 2015, voters may be looking for new voices to champion local priorities like healthcare delivery, mental health access, cost of living, and infrastructure investment across the region’s vast and diverse communities.
Wakefield’s candidacy positions the NDP as a serious alternative for voters who want progressive change and a representative with deep knowledge of the systems they interact with daily.
