Lindo's last stand

Also: Neskantaga snub, Stiles hits the road, mini critic shuffle, anti-carbon crusade, staff shakeup, Budget bill vote, clean energy holes, schmoozing with hockey hall of famers, rally for uninsured

ABOVE THE FOLD

Q+A — LAURA MAE LINDO has some unfinished business.

It’s been more than two months since the two-term MPP for Kitchener Centre announced she’s hanging up her legislative boots — but she’s still hanging around until the end of the session in June, when she’ll take on a new role in the philosophy department at the University of Waterloo.

I asked Lindo why, and she cited the same reason as the one that made her quit Queen’s Park in the first place: child care. As a single parent of three young kids — aged three, 10 and 13 when she first entered the political arena — the high cost of child care became too much to bear. Coupled with the death of her father in November, Lindo made the hard call to step down to spend more time with family.

Before she goes, she’s spoiling for one last fight. If she’s successful, it could help even the playing field for women candidates in particular. But it’s an uphill battle — one that’s already bested Lindo herself.

What she wants: The Legislatu…