Law writer signs up for federal candidacy
The Eglinton-Lawrence Green Party has nominated their next federal candidate amid talk of a possible fall election.
Legal writer Andrew James, who ran as the provincial candidate in 2007, was acclaimed to the riding last month.
James, who has authored several books on family, municipal and condominium law, said he’s dismayed with how the ruling and opposition parties are neglecting Toronto.
“We all feel abandoned by the federal government under both the Liberals and the Conservatives,” he said. “The Liberals take Toronto votes for granted, the Conservatives have written off Toronto entirely and the result is we see a transit system that’s deteriorating, we see a port authority that’s accountable to nobody in Toronto.”
Transit issues affect all Torontonians, James said, and the Green Party would work to improve transit to avoid the city’s current reliance on cars.
“The unique thing about Eglinton-Lawrence is that two subway lines run through it but neither one is utilized — especially not the Spadina line,” he said. “In terms of negotiating with the city we are willing to give funds to Toronto but they have to in turn not just invest them directly in the transit line but … make it clear that they’re moving towards a more transit-oriented society.”
It was the climate change crisis that pushed him to become involved with the Greens several years ago.
“I looked at all the parties and I have to say the Green Party’s approach and the personnel in the Green Party were by far the best to articulate the problem,” he said.
The Green Party platform focuses on environmental sustainability and affects public sectors like health care.
James pointed out the healthcare system in particular is being overloaded, which is why the Greens focus on preventable solutions, like increased testing of potentially toxic materials.
“The Green Party approach is we can’t afford to poison ourselves, and then cure ourselves,” he said. “There’s just not enough money in the system.”
With a background in law, James said his experience provides the tools necessary to be an effective voice in Ottawa.
“The law are the rules that shape how we interact so there’s no accident that many lawyers are in politics,” he said. “Because once you see things as they are many of us are motivated to change it.”