What separates you from the other candidates in your riding?
First, I live in the riding. I’ve been a proud resident of this community for more than a decade. It’s where I choose to make my home.
Second, I am not a professional politician. Now, most people would think this might be a liability. It’s not. I have no baggage and presently owe no one. If I were to be elected as the MP for Parkdale-High Park, the only people I would owe would be my constituents. I would owe them the right to be heard in government. I would owe them the opportunity to have meaningful change in our riding.
What is the defining issue in your riding this election?
Parkdale-High Park is a microcosm of all that is good about Toronto and Canada, but also reflects what needs to be better. For me, this election, for the people of Parkdale-High Park, is about ensuring that our families, and our residents, can grow and thrive. The only way this will happen is with a strong and vibrant economy. We need to protect our most vulnerable citizens, – children, the elderly and those unfortunate souls struggling with mental illness, among others. Our government is the one best positioned to do just that.
Do you believe the relationship between municipalities and the federal government needs to be redefined, and if so, how?
Absolutely. There has to be about a new way of doing business. As the kids say…. I am so over divisive politics. We all serve the same Canadians. All levels of government need to collaborate in a cooperative way. We are all trying to make peoples’ lives better while protecting their futures. It would serve all federal and municipal politicians well to be reminded of this fact. That’s just what I’ll do. This theme has informed our Government’s decision-making when it proposed to make $2 billion in gas tax funds transferred to municipalities permanent.
Which of your party’s policies would make the biggest impact on Torontonians’ lives?
I’ve talked a lot in this campaign about Toronto’s infrastructure. Strong economies are built on a strong physical and social infrastructure. Unfortunately, there’s been some misinformation percolating through a number of different communications channels. I appreciate the opportunity to clarify for the readers about the Conservative government support for Toronto infrastructure.
Here’s a small sample of some of the projects funded by the our government’s infrastructure program.
– $20 million for Pathways to Education in Regent Park
– $7.5 million for the AGO Family Learning Centre
– $2 million for the Toronto Community Housing Tower Renewal Project
– $133 million for the revitalization of Union Station
– $333 million for the Sheppard East Light Rail Transit Line
– $350 million for the TTC modernization and expansion of transit services
– $385 million for the GO Rail and bus transit networks
– $146 million offrom the Federal Gas Tax Fund
– $115 million for hybrid buses
– $7.5 million for the AGO Family Learning Centre
– $2 million for the Toronto Community Housing Tower Renewal Project
I wouldn’t call this anything but action and results.
Tell us something flattering about your main rival in this campaign.
The candidates representing the Liberals and NDP are passionate about their commitment to a better Canada. I commend them for their hard work in trying to meet the needs of the riding’s residents. I know that they too want what’s best for the people of Parkdale-High Park. I commend them for that.
