ETOBICOKE-LAKESHORE: Candidates share their policies before Election Day.
From top left, clockwise: Etobicoke-Lakeshore candidates Dave Corail (Green Party), Michael Erickson (NDP), Michael Ignatieff (Liberal), and Bernard Trottier (Conservative).
Courtesy photos
Etobicoke-Lakeshore is currently represented by Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff, who has held the riding since the 2006 federal election. Ignatieff beat Conservative Patrick Boyer in the 2008 federal election by nearly 8,000 votes.
Since the mid-1970s, the middle-class riding has voted for the party that won national elections. The Liberals have held the lakefront riding since the party swept to power nationally in 1993. The seat has remained Liberal, despite the Conservatives taking government in 2006.
The riding of 114,641 people is bounded by Lake Ontario to the south, Etobicoke Creek to the west, Humber River to the east and Dundas Street West-Burnhamthorpe Road-Hwy 427 to the north.
Seniors comprise 15 per cent of the riding's population.
Sixty per cent of residents own their homes. Average annual family income is nearly $75,000, just above the Ontario average of $72,734.
The greatest proportion of residents are employed in business, finance and administrative positions, followed by those working in sales and service, management and trades and transport.
*Figures: 2006 Census
Other candidates running in this riding include Marxist-Leninist Party of Canada candidate Janice Murray - info@mlpc.ca
CONTACT: 416-880-4505, EMAIL: david.corail@greenparty.ca, WEB: www.votecorail.ca
1) How will Toronto benefit from your party's platform?
I believe the biggest benefit for Toronto would be the increase in funding directed towards public transportation. We now have the longest commute times in North America and part of the problem is an inadequate transit system. Toronto is also a city that grows largely through immigration. The Green Party looked for ways to ease the transition for new Canadians: by increasing funding for ESL courses, as well as affordable housing projects to ensure a quality of life equal to that of long time residents. The Green Party is dedicated to working with all levels of government for the benefit of Canadians.
2) Tell us about a local issue you plan to champion as MP and how it will affect your local constituents?
In the 2008 election, I commented that the Long Branch/Mimico area is in need of a youth community centre, and I still believe this to be the case. Our young people are growing up with a lack of safe places where they can meet and connect with others their age. If we can engage our youth, they will be less likely to become involved in crimes in our neighbourhood. If elected, I will donate to local organizations that promote a sense of pride and ownership in our community, and encourage them to be active, healthy members of our society.
3) Would you vote against your party if an issue came up that did not align with the feelings of your constituents?
MPs are elected to represent their constituents, by their constituents, not their party. As such, if elected, I would feel an obligation to represent the values of my constituents first, and my party second. However, I believe that by virtue of being elected, it is understood that the majority of Etobicoke-Lakeshore constituents' values would be aligned with my own, or that of the Green Party of Canada. For our democracy to function properly an emphasis should be put on the will of the electors. Not the current system of partisan politics.
4) Tell us a bit about yourself.
Dave Corail is once again running for the Green Party of Canada in Etobicoke-Lakeshore. Dave has lived in the area for almost 20 years, and is raising his family here. He commutes to work in Mississauga. If elected MP Dave will vote on issues using three basic principles: Will it advance the common good? Will it improve Canada's quality of life, environmental sustainability and economic health? Will it advance global peace and security?
CONTACT: 416-546-2734, EMAIL: info@michaelerickson.org, WEB: www.michaelerickson.org
1) How will Toronto benefit from your party's platform?
For too long, both Liberals and Conservatives have ignored or dismissed the needs of Toronto. The NDP knows that cities have special needs; two of these needs are transit and the environment. The NDP commits to creating a National Public Transit Strategy and to increasing funding for transit by diverting one per cent of the current gas tax to municipalities. Toronto also needs cleaner air. We have a bold strategy to deal effectively with climate change and air quality, which would restore Canada's reputation on the world stage: Harper's inaction has been an international embarrassment.
2) Tell us about a local issue you plan to champion as MP and how it will affect your local constituents?
People's financial problems are a local issue I hear about every day in Etobicoke-Lakeshore, and the NDP has a plan to fix that. Our plan includes: limiting maximum credit card interest rates to just five per cent plus prime; increasing the annual Guaranteed Income Supplement to lift every senior out of poverty immediately; providing $800 million so colleges and universities will lower tuition fees; and providing significant new funding for affordable and social housing. We also pledge to lower small business tax rates from 11 per cent to nine per cent. When our local economy improves, our local community is stronger.
3) Would you vote against your party if an issue came up that did not align with the feelings of your constituents?
New Democratic Party MPs make voting decisions based on party policy formulated by our democratic grassroots membership at policy conventions and through Federal Council resolutions. However, unlike some parties, there are often votes in the House of Commons when the NDP allows members to vote with their conscience; when it comes to private members bills, the NDP tradition has always been to allow MPs to have a free vote. In these instances, I would use emerging communication technologies to gather feedback from Etobicoke-Lakeshore residents and then represent your views, even if those views opposed a majority of NDP MPs.
4) Tell us a bit about yourself.
Michael Erickson is a high school teacher who has focused on decreasing suffering and increasing hope for young people. As a community builder, he created The Ghana Project, a social justice trip for teens. As a leader, he served on the LGBT Youth Line Board of Directors and on the Metro Network for Social Justice steering committee. As a volunteer, he has been union branch president, a poverty and disability activist and a hockey coach.
CONTACT: 416-233-0330, EMAIL: michael.ignatieff@michaelignatieff.ca, WEB: michaelignatieff.liberal.ca
1) How will Toronto benefit from your party's platform?
Liberals will invest in quality, affordable child care for every young family that needs it. We will help every family with the costs of college or university, so your kids can be ready for the jobs of tomorrow. We will help families take time off from work to look after sick loved ones at home. We'll strengthen universally accessible health care for all, and build on the Canada Pension Plan so everyone can retire in security and dignity. We'll also have a new tax credit to help you make your home more energy-efficient. We will do this while reducing the Conservative deficit responsibly, without raising personal income tax, small business taxes or the GST.
2) Tell us about a local issue you plan to champion as MP and how it will affect your local constituents?
It is difficult to choose a single issue since there are so many of importance to Etobicoke-Lakeshore families. When I meet with constituents and community groups, one of the things that concerns me most is families living in poverty. That's why I am so proud of the Poverty Reduction Plan in our Liberal Platform. One way to address poverty is our Affordable Housing Framework, which helps to alleviate poverty while stimulating the economy. The Framework is designed to reduce homelessness, maintain and renew existing affordable housing stock, and stimulate new construction of affordable housing. Please read more about our plan at www.liberal.ca/platform/
3) Would you vote against your party if an issue came up that did not align with the feelings of your constituents?
As Leader of the Liberal Party of Canada, I will ensure that the concerns of residents of Etobicoke-Lakeshore will be reflected in the priorities of a Liberal government.
4) Tell us a bit about yourself.
Michael Ignatieff is the Leader of the Liberal Party of Canada and the Member of Parliament for Etobicoke-Lakeshore. Born on May 12, 1947, he has been a writer, a journalist, a teacher of human rights, and a proud voice for Canada at home and on the world stage. Since first being elected in 2006, he's travelled to every corner of the country listening to Canadians' stories and talking to them about their hopes and dreams. His message has been one of hope: together, we can build a stronger Canada for our families. Michael is married to Zsuzsanna Zsohar and has two children, Theo and Sophie.
CONTACT: 416-255-9111, EMAIL: info@bernardtrottiercampaign.ca, WEB: www.bernardtrottiercampaign.ca
1) How will Toronto benefit from your party's platform?
Our party would continue to maintain Canada's strong economic recovery, and the creation of even more jobs through lower taxes. The Harper government's Economic Action Plan has already produced enormous results across the GTA, including right here in Etobicoke-Lakeshore. For example, to help grow education opportunities of our young people, the Humber Lakeshore campus project received over $5 million. Etobicoke-Lakeshore residents need a strong voice to represent them in Ottawa and a vote for me will ensure that happens.
2) Tell us about a local issue you plan to champion as MP and how it will affect your local constituents?
Etobicoke-Lakeshore is one of the most diverse, cultural communities within the GTA. Many local residents tell me at the door that they want a Member of Parliament who really knows and participates in their local community here in Etobicoke-Lakeshore. Close to 40 per cent of Etobicoke-Lakeshore is made up of residents born outside Canada and their families who make major contributions to our community's unique lifestyle. Since I became the Conservative candidate in Etobicoke-Lakeshore over a year-and-a-half ago, I have been fortunate to attend many of the cultural events put on by, for example, our Ukrainian, Polish, and Tibetan residents who hold annual religious celebrations at their churches, as well as colourful festivals.
3) Would you vote against your party if an issue came up that did not align with the feelings of your constituents?
Since becoming Prime Minister, Stephen Harper has kept his promise of having as many free votes as possible on some of the most contentious issues. Therefore, members are able to vote their conscience on issues such as whether Parliament should pass legislation relating to, for example, abolishing the Long Gun Registry. I am committed to listening to the members of Etobicoke-Lakeshore and sharing their opinions with my colleagues around the table in Ottawa.
4) Tell us a bit about yourself.
Bernard Trottier is a senior consulting manager with IBM Global Business Services, working with Canadian and international companies to improve their competitiveness and profitability. He is a past president of the Etobicoke-Lakeshore Conservative Association. Bernard is a graduate of the Richard Ivey School of Business at the University of Western Ontario (MBA, 1992), as well as the University of Alberta (B.Sc. Eng., 1988). He is fluent in French and English. He lives in Etobicoke with his wife, Susan Schutta, and their children Alexandre and Zoe. He is a past president and board member of Sunnylea Co-operative Nursery School, and has been a volunteer coach in the Royal York Baseball League and the Islington Rangers Soccer League.