Marc Laferriere is hoping to be the new face of the Brant NDP party.

The 28-year-old, backed by vice-president of the Brant riding NDP and former candidate Brian Van Tilborg, announced his intention today to pursue the federal nomination at a press conference in Eagle Place.

"Marc is an Eagle Place boy so this is where he wanted to start his campaign," said Van Tilborg introducing Laferriere.

"So far I have been overwhelmed with the support I have received within the party and outside of it," Laferriere said.

He went on to say the Brant riding has only been represented by the Liberal and Conservative parties over the last several years.

"The results are in and this riding needs a change," said the clinical social worker, currently employed at Woodview Children's Mental Health and Autism Services in Brantford.

His platform is an ambitious one, focusing on seven key issues.

They include the economy, improving the gaps in health care, fair aboriginal/non-aboriginal relationships, crime and the social problems of drug addiction and youth gangs, poverty and prosperity gaps and other voices - looking at youth, the elderly and immigrants.

"The community does great things when we collaborate," Laferriere said in his speech.

When asked about how he will achieve progress on so many different issues, he again referred to partnerships and working together towards common goals.

"Separately we move quickly, but together we go further," he said.

"Everybody has a part to play," he added.

Laferriere grew up in Eagle Place and attended Assumption College. He holds a bachelor of arts in communications from the University of Ottawa, an honours bachelor of social work from Lakehead University and a master's degree in social work from Lakehead as well.

Locally he is the former coordinator of the Brant/Brantford Roundtable on Poverty, helped put into action the Brant/Brantford Community Gardens Project and has been part of several community forums on topics such as poverty reduction and temp work.

He volunteers as a consultant for the Youth Leadership Camps Canada Leadership Training Centre, was named the CUSID national public speaking champion in 2004 and has contributed research on quality of life in long-term care used by the Centre for Education and Research on Aging and Health.

Laferriere's full speech and other information can be accessed at www.brantmarc.ca