A quick guide to the Toronto Centre candidates
Liberal — Glen Murray
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Occupation: CEO Canadian Urban Institute
Age: 52
Family: Partner Rick Neves, one son
Hometown: Montreal, Quebec
Community involvement: Canadian Foundation for AIDS Research, member of Premier McGuinty’s Advisory Panel on Climate Change and the Places to Grow Expert Panel, 10 years on homeless issues including as a fundraiser.
Provincial priorities: Environment and Homelessness. “I have done a lot of work with homeless. My commitment to them is within 10 years every person in Ontario has a key in their pocket for (place to live).”
Local priority: Building sustainable communities. “Toronto Centre is an example of how most of us will live. It’s transit friendly, has walkable neighbourhoods. This kind of urban environment is the way of the future.”
“I believe making a difference in this world is the single most important thing you can do.”
Progressive Conservative — Pamela Taylor
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Occupation: Lawyer, certified mediator
Age: 57
Family: Married with two sons, 20 and 24.
Hometown: Welland
Community involvement: Volunteering in Toronto Centre since 1984 including more than 15 groups such as Cabbagetown Community Arts Centre and the St. James Town Safety Committee.
Provincial priorities: “HST is huge … The NDP and PC parties came out to rally (against it) at Queen’s Park. It’s never a dead issue. And the waste and mismanagement of public funds E-Health and OLG.”
Local priority: Addressing homelessness. “One of the main groups I am working with is Fred Victor Centre. Their primary concern is moving homeless into permanent housing.”
“At this point, it’s not even a dedication to community work, it’s who I am. I’m walking the walk and talking the talk. My hope is I can do this (advocacy) within government.”
Green Party — Stefan Premdas
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Occupation: Employment specialist.
Age: 31
Family: One brother, three sisters in Canada
Hometown: San Fernando, Trinidad
Community involvement: Premdas sang and served at St. James cathedral and at St. Paul’s Anglican. Have volunteered at St. Michael’s hospital. Worked in the social justice arm of the ecumenical communities. Works with Kiwanis organizations. Most recently drew up proposal for a Parkdale church’s planned community outreach program
Provincial priorities: The Ontario Disability Support Program and Ontario Works.
Local priorities: “The business community is concerned about the rent on Church St. It’s a huge issue. Another issue in the district is the prostitution. Residents have been talking to former MPP Smitherman, councillor Kyle Rae and the 52 Division for a while about this issue and nothing seems to be happening.”
“I’m running to win.”
New Democratic Party — Cathy Crowe
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Occupation: Street nurse
Age: 57
Family: Daughter, two grandsons
Hometown: Cobourg
Community involvement: Wellesley Outreach Clinic in St. James Town,Regent Park Health Centre doing street health and most recently at theSherbourne Health Centre.
Provincial priorities: Advocating on behalf of those concerned about the underfunding of social services, housing issues.
“I just felt that there was no excuse for (the problems) to go on this long unresolved.”
“I know I’m going to hear about problems with the HST, so I will be another voice complaining about that.”
Local priorities: Addressing the hunger and poverty in the riding.
“I expect to cover as much of the riding as possible door-knocking. I’mreally looking forward to it — I think it’s an amazing community.”