DAVENPORT: Candidates aim to capture the majority vote.
Davenport candidates, top row: Andrew Cash (NDP), Theresa Rodrigues (Conservative). Bottom row: Wayne Scott (Green) and Mario Silva (Liberal).
Courtesy photos
The federal riding of Davenport has been one of the most consistently Liberal ridings in Canada over the past century.
The last non-Liberal to be elected for the constituency was Progressive Conservative Member of Parliament Douglas Morton in 1958.
This electoral district, comprised of parts of west-end Toronto, includes the Fairbank, Oakwood-Vaughan, St. Clair Gardens, Corso Italia, Dovercourt Village, Bloordale Village, Bloorcourt Village, Brockton Village, the Junction Triangle and the western part of Rua Acores neighbourhoods.
In 2008, Liberal Incumbent Mario Silva garnered 15,953 votes, capturing 45.8 per cent, compared to his closest opponent, NDP candidate at the time, Peter Ferreira, who received 10,896 votes or 31.3 per cent of the riding.
Davenport was home to 45,620 people and consisted of 18,390 households, according to 2006 Census of Canada data.
Other candidates running in this riding:
Simon Luisi, Animal Alliance Environment Voters Party of Canada, Davenport – EMAIL: voteforluisi@yahoo.com
Miguel Figueroa, Communist Party of Canada, Davenport - EMAIL: figueroa@cpc-pcc.ca
Contact 416-539-8660, cash@cashfortoronto.ca, www.cashfortoronto.ca
1) How will Toronto benefit from your party's platform?
Toronto is a very expensive city. Too many of us are just barely getting by. The NDP platform is focused on affordability issues that will make a direct impact on the everyday lives of hard working folks here in Toronto. Capping credit card interest rates, cutting the HST from home heating bills, raising pensions for seniors and investing in public transit and affordable housing will make a huge difference in the lives of people right across the city.
2) Tell us about a local issue you plan to champion as MP and how it will affect your local constituents?
We need an MP who will work full-time to ensure that the voices of the hardworking folks of Davenport are heard in Ottawa. Canada is the only G7 country whose national government does not provide stable operating funding for big city public transit. This has to change. You only need to ride the Dufferin bus to know that Toronto desperately needs Ottawa's investment in public transit. This is not only a transit issue, it is an environmental, economic and social justice issue of huge importance for the whole city. I'm going to fight for public transit investment for our city!
3) Would you vote against your party if an issue came up that did not align with the feelings of your constituents?
There are votes in the House of Commons where members vote with their conscience and there are votes that the NDP make based on full debate within the caucus. We make those decisions based on what we feel are in the best interests of the voters who send us to Ottawa. I'll be an active, dynamic advocate for Toronto issues both within the NDP federal caucus and in the House of Commons.
4) Tell us a bit about yourself.
For thirty years I've made my living as an award-winning musician, journalist and producer. I know what it takes to be a self-employed small business person, and I understand how tough it is to survive in an expensive city like Toronto. I live on St. Anne's Rd. in Davenport. I'm married to painter and potter Michelle Shook and have three children, Sam, Charlie and Lucy Rose.
Contact 416-534-7028, theresarodrigues4us@yahoo.ca, www.theresarodrigues.ca
1) How will Toronto benefit from your party's platform?
Canada is emerging from the global recession as one of the world's top-performing, advanced economies. Through our Economic Action Plan we're making the necessary investments to protect Canadians and to create jobs now, while laying a strong foundation for long-term economic growth.
Our low-tax plan is helping businesses create jobs in Davenport. And we are reducing taxes for our hard-working residents, because we understand that Davenport household budgets are tight.
Now is not the time for instability, reckless, or for opportunistic experiments. Our 2011 budget included practical measures to complete our recovery and strengthen the financial security of families, seniors and workers.
2) Tell us about a local issue you plan to champion as MP and how it will affect your local constituents?
Canada has now created more jobs than were lost during the downturn. Residents can trust a strong, stable and responsible Stephen Harper government to keep Davenport and Canada moving in the right direction. There are other issues that matter, but making sure that people can look after themselves and their families is a priority.
3) Would you vote against your party if an issue came up that did not align with the feelings of your constituents?
Your voice will be heard around the caucus table and I will fight for the needs of Davenport. As your Member of Parliament I will commit 100 per cent to this job, always being mindful of your concerns and what you've sent me to Ottawa to do. My job performance will always be up for review and I will be fully visible and accessible to Davenport constituents.
4) Tell us a bit about yourself.
I am an accomplished businesswoman and volunteer who has earned the reputation of someone who solves problems. I was awarded the Rotarian "Beyond Self" award; the Ontario Outstanding Achievement Award for Volunteerism and I'm also an Athena Nominee.
Contact 416-588-2697, davenportgpc.com, wayne.scott@greenparty.ca
1) How will Toronto benefit from your party's platform?
The Green Party of Canada has the most comprehensive plan to ease Toronto along with the rest of Canada into a necessarily more sustainable 21st century. We recognize that we as a society must be more responsible custodians of our country's vast natural resources as our health, our wealth and our offspring's future quality of life all directly depend upon the choices we make today. Downtown Toronto is still reeling from last year's tumultuous political circus, but if our Davenport neighbourhood were to return Canada's first Green MP to Ottawa, we would send the clear message that Toronto remains a bastion of compassionate change aimed at serving the common good.
2) Tell us about a local issue you plan to champion as MP and how it will affect your local constituents?
How and why we move within and beyond our community effects every aspect of our daily lives. Canada deserves and desperately needs a carefully thought out national urban mobility strategy for both people and our goods, much like the one new Calgary Mayor Naheed Nemshi recently called on all federal parties to explore. As a street level worker in this field for almost a quarter century, I have also long been an internationally recognized advocate for wiser transportation strategies than the ones currently being discussed at the municipal level. A vote for the Green Party of Canada is a vote for better tomorrows than Toronto can now expect.
3) Would you vote against your party if an issue came up that did not align with the feelings of your constituents?
I will not provide the safe, easy answer here merely to win votes. It would all depend on the issue at hand. So while my first duty would always be to the members of our little community, there could be times where a larger issue of what is best for the common good of the city, the province, the country or even the planet, might come into play. In such an instance, I would consult with the neighbourhood and through open discussion, hopefully come to a position that everyone understood, and could live with. This to me is one of the true tests of someone's ability to lead.
4) Tell us a bit about yourself.
I was born in downtown Toronto and happily just started my seventh decade of residence in the city. I have been involved in the arts locally, all my life, but earned my living moving other folks' goods about town without adding to our smog or gridlock problems. Our growing family is my joy, our troubled hometown my passion. Ask anybody who knows me, even my honourable opponents, and they will tell you that I am one who resolutely walks the talk.
Contact 416-654-4560, info@mariosilva.ca www.mariosilva.ca
1) How will Toronto benefit from your party's platform?
The Liberal platform continues our long-standing commitment to cities. The previous Liberal government created a New Deal for Cities that shared federal taxes and funded programs for cities. This Liberal platform will restore federal government assistance to Toronto and other cities to meet the challenges facing them. Toronto will benefit from a national commitment of $550 million for affordable housing and the development of a long term affordable housing plan. A Liberal government will implement a transportation and infrastructure strategy to improve public transit and infrastructure for sewer and water systems.
2) Tell us about a local issue you plan to champion as MP and how it will affect your local constituents?
I will continue to work diligently to ensure that we do not have large numbers of diesel trains running through our communities. I have worked hard to ensure our voice is heard with respect to the GO Transit line to Pearson Airport. As a long time resident of Davenport I share the concerns of my neighbours with respect to the proposed use of diesel trains. I have continuously spoken out for the use of clean electric trains and I will continue to fight for our community as their Member of Parliament on this issue.
3) Would you vote against your party if an issue came up that did not align with the feelings of your constituents?
I have always taken the time to consider issues before Parliament in terms of the wishes of my constituents prior to casting my vote. I would indeed refuse to support any measure that was opposed by residents of my community or that did not serve the best interests of Davenport. I am first and foremost the representative of the people of Davenport and this will always be the case for me.
4) Tell us a bit about yourself.
I have lived in the Davenport community for over 30 years. I was first elected to serve Davenport residents as their Member of Parliament in 2004 and was re-elected twice by residents of the community. Prior to serving as MP I was a Toronto city councillor. I have served with many community agencies including Working Women Community Centre, Canadian Feed the Children and Bloor Information Legal Services. In Parliament I have worked on parliamentary committees including International Human Rights, Trade, Environment and Canadian Heritage as well as being Liberal Critic for Treasury Board, Labour and Foreign Affairs (Americas).