Op-Ed: NDP team a clear choice for East-Toronto

Campaign antics like the pooping Puffin and the tasteless remarks on the deadly listeriosis disease are over. The time to make a decision in the 2008 federal election has come.

Jack Layton the incumbent and the federal NDP leader is the clear and obvious choice for the Toronto-Danforth riding. Of course, any election’s inventory must begin by comparing the records of the candidates who want your vote. Yet, the result of such postmortem, while leaning favorably on Layton’s side of the scale, is not the primary reason for supporting him. To clarify why, regardless of disagreements with Jack, an enthusiastic vote for him is recommended - We must first look beyond the candidates and their positions, and embark on a scrutiny of what are the stakes in this election for Toronto-Danforth and other ridings here in East York. Layton spends a great deal of his time in Ottawa and not at his Toronto-Danforth riding. He also opposed including Green party leader Elizabeth May in the leader’s debate. – These positions do not favour him. Obviously, Toronto-Danforth residents would like more interaction with their member of Parliament, in case they want to voice their concerns personally. Greens do have some understanding of issues concerning Toronto-Danforth and therefore, deserve a place in leader’s debate. Nevertheless, Layton’s social justice qualities are genuine and his willingness to work for the community’s good is exemplary in today’s often smearing and damn-the-socialists politics. His plan does not include a corporate tax cut. They do not need it. “Our priorities are those of the kitchen table, of helping families make ends meet,” Layton said at a rally in his riding of Toronto-Danforth on Sept. 28. This was soon after he unveiled the NDP $51.6-billion election platform. Layton’s readiness to work with the opposition is not a secret. Toronto-Danforth Green Party candidate, Sharon Howarth acknowledges Layton’s cooperation in local issues. One such issue is when Layton offered his office space to the East Toronto Community Coalition (ETCC), a non-partisan group from Toronto-Danforth. They were preparing a mailing marathon for local residents to raise awareness and stop the big-box shopping mall development at 629 Eastern Ave. Residents in East York and Canadians in general, worry about the increasing poverty and economic inequality in their communities. The recent report, “Who’s hungry,” by the Daily Bread Food Bank, puts the use of food banks in Ontario at a 90 per cent increase since 1995. The same report shows an increase in the number of new food banks right here in East York. This unprecedented trend is unacceptable. A Poverty Elimination Act, proposed by Layton, and included in the NDP 2008 platform, speaks directly to the constituent on this matter. It is a positive step towards tackling poverty and eliminating economic inequalities in East York and other communities across Canada. In a time of economic uncertainty, brought on by economic turmoil in the United States, Jack Layton and the NDP’s team are poised to support and help small businesses, green technology industry, and families in local communities. Greens Sharon Howarth’s ideas for a Carbon Tax and increasing GST does not fly in this uncertainty time in our economy. As for Conservative’s Toronto-Danforth candidate, Christina Perreault – her party’s policy of giving a massive tax break to big corporations is simply wrong for Toronto-Danforth and wrong for Canada. The Liberal candidate for Toronto-Danforth, Andrew Lang lacks experience, and his party does not have a solid social platform for making a difference in the lives of ordinary people in the riding. There is more, Liberal members of Parliament usually follow, the party line and often times, abstain from voting on important issues without conferring with their constituents. Take example of Maria Minna, a Liberal MP for Beaches-East York, on October 24, 2007, she abstain a vote allowing the Harper government to end Canada's involvement in the Kyoto Accord. Next, on helping the Manufacturing Sector, Minna abstained on a vote that would have provided assistance to manufacturing sector, allowing the Harper government to continue to ignore the job losses there. This pattern is unacceptable and is not good for hard working people of Beaches-East York. The choice in Beaches/East York is also clear. Maria Minna is not effectively standing up for Beaches/East York. The NDP candidate for Beaches-East York, Marilyn Churley, is ready to provide the strong leadership and speak for the riding especially, against the recent attacks on arts and culture by Harper government. Artists are not like spoiled children, they preserve culture and identity. NDP candidate for Don Valley West, David Sparrow, proved to his constituents that he is ready to speak for them on a federal level in the 40th parliament in Ottawa. Sparrow fears that if Harper is re-elected, Canada will follow in the path of the U.S. “We need strong leadership that would invest in creating small businesses and green technology that will bring jobs to communities,” Sparrow said. “Jack (Layton) has promised to invest $2 billion for the first four years of the NDP government to create 40,000 new jobs per year.” East York residents deserve MP’s that will stand up for issues they care about in their communities. And oppose to those who take them for granted. On Oct 14, you should vote for Jack Layton and the NDP team and do so enthusiastically.