Pickering-Scarborough East
Tim Dobson: Keeping it big.
“I’m a highly motivated, hardworking guy,” said Tim Dobson. “Because I was trained at a university myself, I know what the needs of university students are.”
Dobson is the Conservative party candidate running for Pickering Scarborough-East riding, which includes the UTSC campus.
“Our philosophy is to fix the problem at the source,” said Dobson, who spoke at a UTSC all-candidates debate this week. According to him, the problem of rising tuition is the lack of education funds being transferred to the provinces from Ottawa, something that he promises to correct if elected.
Another important issue for him is the environment. He is a professional chemist whose environmental accomplishments include leading major initiatives to install pollution abatement facilities at Ontario’s nuclear plants, and driving down water-borne toxicity emissions to ensure compliance with provincial standards.
According to his website, his solutions include long-term funding to clean up federal contaminated sites, and creating incentives to encourage private sector cleanup of contaminated lands.
“When resolving problems I say see it big and keep it simple.”-KUMUTHA RAMANATHAN
Gary Dale: A solution to violence?
Gary Dale is so confident in his ability to win the upcoming election, he offers praises for his contenders and already assumes their defeat.
“Dan McTeague is an honest, hard-working politician, it will be hard to fill his boots when he leaves,” says Dale.
He believes that his party’s accomplishments speak for themselves. “We are running on a track record of getting things done for people.”
Dale is running for the NDP in the Pickering-Scarborough East riding which encompasses the UTSC campus.
A graduate of U of T’s engineering program, Dale has dedicated himself to promoting education and social support in addressing youth violence in Scarborough.
According to Dale, “[education] is the key to thwarting youth violence.”
Dale believes that it is the government’s responsibility to ensure that youth have access to various skill-training programs, such as apprenticeships. Finally, he plans on developing stronger relationships with teachers and religious leaders.
“The real solution lies in reinvesting in people,” says Dale. “We need to address these problems by putting money back into programs for them.”-K.R.
Dan McTeague: Hardest worker
“I have delivered results for my constituents that are without parallel in the House of Commons,” says Dan McTeague.
McTeague is the incumbent Liberal candidate running in the Pickering Scarborough-East area.
The second U of T grad in the riding, McTeague has been voted the hardest-working MP by the Hill Times in 2002. He is also the recipient of the Friend of Small Business Award presented by the Canadian Federation of Small Business and was recognized by the Ontario Command of the Royal Canadian Legion for his efforts on behalf of Canada’s veterans in 2003.
Passage of his private members’ bill C-202 made him the first backbencher MP to amend the Criminal Code, which makes it an indictable offence to evade the police by motor vehicle. He has also been directly involved in changing the Competition Act and the passage of another Private Member’s Bill recognizing Organ Donor Week.
“Over the last year and half, I didn’t just listen to the issues and concerns that mattered to my constituents. I acted on them.”
-K.R.
Mississauga-Erindale
Rupinder Brar: The innovator
As a university physics instructor who has spent much of his life as a student, Rupinder Brar feels a personal connection to the student constituents of his riding.
“We need to invest in tuition reduction. People have to put their lives on hold as a result of incredible debts after they graduate,” he said.
Brar is the NDP candidate for the Mississauga-Erindale riding, which encompasses U of T’s Mississauga campus.
Free internet access for everyone in his riding is only the beginning of Brar’s mission to have an innovative platform.
“There are career politicians who enjoy campaigning, and then there are those who are interested in politics because they thrive on ideas, causes, and values.”
Brar believes that the values of the NDP are the values of Canadians, including “solid healthcare, equal access to education and protecting the future of our economy through alternative energy initiatives.”
Brar said that the common fear that voting NDP means remaining unrepresented is a misguided one.
“If someone chooses to vote NDP, they are supporting a growing party, because every vote translates into funding.”-SABRINA SINGH
Bob Dechert: The anti-taxman
Bob Dechert, the Conservative candidate for Mississauga-Erindale, intends to benefit students by reducing taxes.
He also aims, however, to rectify damage they say was done by Martin’s own cuts in the health budget by reducing hospital waiting times.
Neither Dechert nor his campaign manager could be reached to comment on exactly how the Conservatives intend to make up for the reduced taxation, or exactly how reduced taxes will help university students.
As a result of a lack of Dechert’s quotes on his own website, readers will have to rely on statements of his policies.
Dechert supports a 16 per cent tax credit for all public transit users, which would result in the average commuter saving $153 annually.
Helping immigrants in obtaining their work visa is another aim of Dechert and the Conservative party, along with recognizing foreign degrees.
Some noble goals indeed, although Dechert’s homepage does not resist including an attack from party leader Stephen Harper on Paul Martin’s general ambiguity towards issues.
-SMITA SAXENA
Omar Alghabra: The pragmatic rookie
Omar Alghabra, the Liberal candidate for the riding of Mississauga-Erindale, has been happy with his first foray into politics so far.
“It has been very positive. People are curious to know more about me,” said Alghabra.
He is replacing veteran 60-year-old Liberal MP Carolyn Parrish, who won her third election in 2004 by more than 12,000 votes. Despite the historically strong Liberal showing in the riding, there has been rumours that Conservatives are targeting the riding due to Alghabra’s rookie status.
Alghabra said that local concerns seem to be at the top of his constituents’ minds in the riding which includes UTM. “Some want improvements to GO Transit. Others are concerned about violent crime.”
Alghabra, who immigrated to Canada from Syria in 1989, has long been concerned about immigration issues. He has been a volunteer with a number of community organizations including the Canadian-African legal clinic and Amnesty International.
Lately, Alghabra has been battling controversy around his nomination celebration after a Liberal member was heard to remark positively that the GTA was being dominated by Muslim candidates.-BRUCE HARPHAM
Toronto-Centre
Bill Graham: The defender
“I’m proud of the fact that we’ve put our country’s financial house in order,” said Bill Graham last Thursday at a Toronto-Centre candidates’ debate in Alumni Hall. “Our country witnesses real prosperity, [and] the only balanced budget in the western world.”
Graham is the Liberal candidate running for re-election in Toronto-Centre, which includes the east half of campus.
Before his election, Graham taught international law at U of T. He went on to serve as Minister of Foreign Affairs, and is currently the Minister of National Defence. He has been voted best local MP six times in NOW magazine and he won the last election by a comfortable 32.7 per cent margin.
During the candidates’ debate, Graham’s opponents criticized the Liberal government’s cuts to social programs. His NDP opponent particularly criticized the lack of affordable housing in Toronto-Centre.
“Long-term affordable housing is important,” said Graham in response, “and we are now on the threshold of being able to do it, because we have a provincial government we can work with.”
Graham did not return repeated interview requests.-ALLISON MARTELL
Michael Shapcott: The activist
“The NDP is the party which delivered results in the last parliament in terms of more funding for postsecondary education,” he said. “In our balanced budget bill, bill C-48, we actually delivered 1.5 billion dollars for postsecondary education.”
Shapcott is running in the Toronto-Centre riding, which encompasses the east side of campus, including Victoria and St. Mike’s residences.
A graduate of U of T’s law school, Shapcott is widely known for his work on housing and homelessness, particularly with the Toronto Disaster Relief Committee. His activism is so respected that Liberal, Conservative, and Green candidates all pointed it out at a recent candidates’ debate.
“I know that students are also concerned and committed about a whole range of other issues, like the high cost of housing,” he said after the debate.
Shapcott is considered something of a long shot. Liberal incumbent Bill Graham won the last election with 56.5 per cent of the vote, while Shapcott clocked in at 23.8 per cent. But Shapcott will hear nothing of it.
“We’re into a new millennium, and I’m very confident that Toronto-Centre riding is going to become the safest NDP seat in the country.” -A.M.
Lewis Reford: Do it yourself
Lewis Reford, Conservative candidate for the Toronto Centre riding, intends to improve the lives of university students by correcting Liberal fiscal imbalances.
The 45-year-old J.P. Morgan securities broker espouses self-reliance and community support over government-based social programs.
“I believe in self-reliance,” he said. “If you have a problem, try to solve it yourself. If you can’t solve it, seek help from your family and friends. If it is beyond their capability, then turn to the government.”
Reford hopes to increase the self-reliance of university students through reduced taxation.
“The Conservative party feels that students should not be taxpayers,” he said. If elected, Reford would advocate tax-free status for merit scholarships.
Reford advocates textbook and supply allowances for every student, to offset the incidental expenses of post-secondary education.
Reford encourages students, who frequently vote NDP or Liberal, to consider the merits of his conservative platform.
“I am a very socially progressive person, and I am all for gay marriage.”
-CAROLYN HARRIS
Trinity-Spadina
Tony Ianno: Four more years?
Last election, Tony Ianno squeaked back into office, beating NDP candidate Olivia Chow by only about 800 votes. After 12 years as the Liberal member of parliament for Trinity-Spadina, the riding that includes the west side of campus, he is seeking another term.
At press time, Ianno had not responded to repeated interview requests.
According to his website, Ianno’s priority is to build a fair, progressive, and inclusive society. He cites such major Liberal achievements as sound economic management and an additional $41 million in health care.
Ianno also commits to continue defending the Canada Health Act, in opposition to a two-tier health care system, and supports Project Green, Canada’s plan to meet Kyoto agreements. He points out that the Liberal party has allocated $2.2 billion for improving student financial assistance, $550 million for Canada Access Grants, which are extended to low-income families, and almost $200 million for internships and MBA scholarships for natural and health sciences and engineering graduates.
There is widespread speculation that higher turnout from U of T students could lose Ianno his seat. See story on page 1. -AMY SMITHERS
Sam Goldstein: “Dare to compare!”
Sam Goldstein is so confident in the Conservative platform, his campaign website for the Trinity-Spadina riding provides links to information about all the opposing candidates.
“We feel our candidate and party platform are better than theirs and invite you to compare them!” the site proclaims.
Goldstein said his confidence stems from his frustration with the fiscal mismanagement of the Liberal party.
“I got tired of watching Paul Martin on television, explaining away all the scandals,” the Ottawa-born lawyer and former playwright explained. “I finally rolled up a piece of paper and threw it at the screen.”
According to Goldstein, university students will benefit from reduced taxation.
“Our proposed GST reduction will result in substantial saving for students,” he said.
While Goldstein fought discrimination based on sexual orientation throughout his legal career, he argues that the legislature should decide the question of same-sex marriage instead of the courts.
“Just because you’re conservative doesn’t mean you don’t care about people.”
-CAROLYN HARRIS
Olivia Chow: Students’ choice?
Former city councillor Olivia Chow is tired of Toronto being neglected by the federal government.
“This riding has a lot of students and they are concerned about the rises in tuition. We are one of the few developed countries that lacks a national grants program for students, and this is something that the NDP would introduce,” said Chow.
Chow discussed the environment, homelessness, and violent crime as important issues in the election.
“Toronto had 63 smog days in 2005 and the Liberals have completely failed to address global warming,” she said. “The NDP has a very complete Kyoto plan to address the environment.”
Chow also mentioned her involvement in the Toronto Housing Corporation, where she has lobbied for more affordable housing.
In 2004, Chow lost by only 800 votes to Liberal incumbent Tony Ianno. She attributed this to the fact that most university students were out of town during the last election, which was held in June.
“Students can make the difference in this election,” she said.
-BRUCE HARPHAM
