Toronto-Danforth: a riding with diverse set of candidates.
Top row: Andrew Lang (Liberal), incumbent Jack Layton (New Democratic Party leader); Bottom row: Adriana Mugnatto-Hamu (Green Party), Katarina von Koenig (Conservative Party).
Photos/COURTESY
Toronto-Danforth, represented in Ottawa by federal NDP leader Jack Layton since 2004, is bounded by Lake Ontario to the south, Taylor Creek and the Don River East Branch to the north, Coxwell Avenue/Coxwell Boulevard to the east, and the Don River to the west.
The federal electoral district encompasses municipal wards 29 and 30 (Toronto-Danforth) and is home to several charming neighbourhoods namely Riverdale, Leslieville, The Danforth, Riverside, East York, Pape Village and Playter Estates.
Running to represent the riding in the House of Commons is two-time Liberal candidate Andrew Lang as well as first-time candidates Adriana Mugnatto-Hamu (Greens) and Katarina von Koenig (Conservatives). The riding's incumbent, Jack Layton, is also running for re-election.
http://www.andrewlang.ca
1) How will Toronto benefit from your party's platform?
The Liberal Family Pack will directly benefit families with small children, high school age children, seniors and the families of seniors. No other party platform helps all Canadians. No other platform has costed out their plan. The Liberal plan re-introduces the family class immigration application, which will have an enormous impact on many Toronto families.
2) Tell us about a local issue you plan to champion as MP and how it will affect your local constituents?
Prior to the election I was very involved in stopping the plan to place yet another TTC yard in Toronto-Danforth. The NDP have allowed our neighbourhood to become a dumping ground for projects that no one else wants. I will continue this fight as Member of Parliament for Toronto-Danforth.
3) Would you vote against your party if an issue came up that did not align with the feelings of your constituents?
It would also have to go against my own feelings. It is an MP's job to be a leader as well as a follower. If I agreed with my party it would be up to me to convince my constituents to agree with me. If I didn't agree with my party I would ask permission to vote my conscience or at the very least abstain.
4) Tell us a bit about yourself.
Andrew's political career started with a Liberal rally at the age of six and most recently included a role as director of Outreach for the Ontario Minister of Energy and Infrastructure where Andrew helped draft Green Energy legislation and prompted stimulus spending to Toronto-Danforth projects such as the Royal Canadian Curling Club and the East York Community Centre. A University of Toronto graduate, Andrew's experience also includes years spent managing the offices of former Foreign Minister Bill Graham, roles with a health care not-for-profit and an environmental NGO.
www.jacklayton.ndp.ca
1) How will Toronto benefit from your party's platform?
Toronto, with cities across Canada, drives innovation, attracts investment, and is an engine of job creation. But the Harper Conservatives, aided by the Liberals, have failed to support our cities with any kind of long-term plan to meet today's growing challenges. Our party's plan will support Toronto by dedicating resources to build green infrastructure, with targeted funds for urban transit and clean water. It will help communities like Toronto, and all across Canada, realize their vision for a healthy and sustainable future by dedicating the resources we need to upgrade water treatment facilities, build affordable housing, and keep our communities safe.
2) Tell us about a local issue you plan to champion as MP and how it will affect your local constituents?
I have been supporting the efforts of Toronto-Danforth's many outstanding community organizations, both as an individual and as an MP. I think especially of Taste of Danforth, which came about as an idea when I was on Toronto City Council, as a way to advertise and energize the local economy along the Danforth. It's nearly 20 years later and Taste is a huge community event. In my role as an MP, I've continued to support their work by making sure they receive funding from the Canada Summer Jobs program, giving them extra funds and giving young people valuable work experience.
3) Would you vote against your party if an issue came up that did not align with the feelings of your constituents?
As Leader, I have continued my party's policy of allowing members to vote their conscience on private members bills, myself included, giving our members significant freedom to vote in the way that best represents the wishes of their constituents. I have also made it my goal to work with members of my caucus, and other parties, to work through divisive issues, to build bridges and find solutions that work in the interests of all Canadians.
4) Tell us a bit about yourself.
I was born in Montreal, Quebec, studied at McGill and York universities and am fluently bilingual. I am married to Olivia Chow and have two grown children, Mike and Sarah. Last year our family grew with the arrival of my first grandchild, Beatrice. I am proud to have been the Leader of Canada's New Democrats since 2003 and the Member of Parliament for Toronto-Danforth since 2004, and was elected to Toronto City Council six times.
http://danforthgreens.ca/adriana-mugnatto-hamu
1) How will Toronto benefit from your party's platform?
The Green Party has received the endorsement of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities for the second time in two elections. Our platform has an outstanding and innovative collection of programs that help cities rebuild infrastructure toward a low-carbon future, build future oriented industries, develop skills for our youth and give them jobs, as well as maximizing local community input.
2) Tell us about a local issue you plan to champion as MP and how it will affect your local constituents?
Ever since I moved here eight years ago, I've been concerned about the air quality in Toronto-Danforth and the implications on our health. I'd like to enshrine the right to clean air and water into the constitution and force governments at all levels to address the abysmal standards here. The Green Party's tax shift would also put more money into people's hands and force polluters to pay more, discouraging vehicle and industrial emissions. We would also encourage deep energy retrofits, making our homes more comfortable while clearing the air.
3) Would you vote against your party if an issue came up that did not align with the feelings of your constituents?
There is remarkably little that I even quibble with in the Green Party platform. And one of the things the Green Party excels at is ensuring our federal priorities can be delivered in ways that respect local needs and values. We have a lot of flexibility. We are a party of long-term thinkers who recognize that inconvenient changes are sometimes necessary. So I wouldn't go against my party just because my constituents thought a particular policy was troublesome in the short term. However, my commitment to good policy trumps my commitment to any party. If I was persuaded a policy my party was promoting was actually bad for my constituents, I would not support it.
4) Tell us a bit about yourself.
I was born in Brazil and grew up in Toronto. I studied anthropology at the University of Toronto, got married and spent 15 years raising a brood of adopted and birth children. I was always interested in human rights, science and ecology. Eventually my concerns about the gross lack of adequate policy to address what is almost surely humanity's greatest challenge led me to political action. I believe good parliamentarians are active in and responsive to their communities.
www.conservative.ca/team/meet_our_candidates
1) How will Toronto benefit from your party's platform?
Our community benefits everyday from the strong leadership of Stephen Harper. Whether it is the reduction of the GST, the reduction of personal and corporate income taxes, or the introduction of income splitting for seniors and families with children, local people actually see a significant benefit from our Conservative Government's policies every day. Canada was the last country to be affected by the world economic downturn and now, thanks to Prime Minister Stephen Harper's leadership, we are also the first nation to recover. More jobs have been created since Conservatives implemented Canada's Economic Action Plan than were lost when the international economy took its most devastating hit since the Great Depression.
2) Tell us about a local issue you plan to champion as MP and how it will affect your local constituents?
My first priority in our riding is funding for infrastructure. It is vital for Toronto-Danforth to be represented by someone who has a seat at the table where the decisions are being made. It will be my job to seek out projects that need funding so our community will grow and prosper.
3) Would you vote against your party if an issue came up that did not align with the feelings of your constituents?
The majority of people in our community believe in lower taxes, tough on crime policies, support for families and seniors, investing in national security, and of course, for a strong and stable economy. These are all core principles of the Conservative Party and I would support any measure to invest in, improve or implement any policies in these areas. I will make all decisions in Parliament, after listening to our community, and only with their best interests in mind.
4) Tell us a bit about yourself.
I was born in Toronto. I have an Honours Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Toronto in political science, classics and philosophy. I also hold a post graduate degree in journalism and a teaching effectiveness certificate from Humber College. I have volunteered and worked in several areas including customer relations and office work and I understand the challenges faced by those entering or re-entering the workforce in the aftermath of the global economic recession. I am running as a Conservative - to ensure we protect and build on our economic recovery and to ensure my riding continues to grow and thrive.