Giovanna Mingarelli is ready to go to bat for people across the newly formed federal riding of Prescott–Russell–Cumberland.
Mingarelli, who was raised in Rockland and comes from a family of fifth-generation Canadian farmers, is the Liberal candidate for the recently realigned riding currently represented by Member of Parliament Francis Drouin.
Drouin previously announced he will not seek re-election, paving the way for a new face to represent the riding at the federal level.
“I believe that I am the best candidate for this riding, and I believe in our party’s strong and unified vision for all Canadians,” said Mingarelli in an interview with The Vision the day after Prime Minister Mark Carney called an election. “For more than 20 years I have been politically involved, and I am honoured for this opportunity.”
Mingarelli has always been interested in politics. She co-oped on Parliament Hill in the office of former Liberal MP Marlene Catterall and handled press inquiries for former prime minister Paul Martin.
Now, as the co-founder of three companies, she is a member of the Clarence-Rockland Chamber of Commerce. She believes her experience as a tech entrepreneur is valuable, having secured partnerships with companies around the world, including in the United States.
“The experience I’ve gained dealing with U.S. companies will help—especially at a time like this, when we’re in a trade war and facing tariffs imposed by President (Donald) Trump,” said Mingarelli, adding that she left politics in her twenties and is now hoping to become an MP at the age of 41. “We need to strengthen our ties with the U.S. and continue to keep Canada strong and united.”
Mingarelli, a member of Leadership féminin Prescott-Russell and an advisor to Women in Cloud—an initiative seeking to bring $1 billion in economic access to women-led STEM businesses by 2030—said Prime Minister Carney is the right person to lead Canada through turbulent times, particularly as the relationship with the U.S. remains unstable.
She said she has confidence in Carney’s vision and leadership and is determined to keep the riding in Liberal red. She added that her party has a plan to make life more affordable for Canadians, support businesses impacted by tariffs, and make it easier to buy a first home.
“He has the vision and background to really lead us and the strong ability to respond to these tariffs, and I have full confidence in him,” she said. “We’ve already seen improvements in relationships and in the economy. This is the leadership we need right now. We need to bring people in this riding—and across the country—some peace of mind, because the reality is, people are scared.”
Prescott–Russell–Cumberland is the new name for the riding formerly known as Glengarry–Prescott–Russell. The riding now includes part of eastern Ottawa (Ramsayville, Mer Bleue, Carlsbad Springs), along with Clarence-Rockland, Hawkesbury, The Nation, Casselman, and the townships of Alfred and Plantagenet, Champlain, East Hawkesbury and Russell.
