Kennedy and Nash square off over attendance. At the microphone Taylor Train (Conservative), to the left, Peggy Nash (NDP), to the right Gerard Kennedy (Liberal) and Andrew Borkowski (Christian Heritage) during the Swansea Area Ratepayers Association on April 13. Staff photo/ERIN HATFIELD
In Parkdale-High Park the electorate is in the position to compare the back-to-back terms of candidates Peggy Nash, who represented the riding from 2006-08 and Liberal Gerard Kennedy, who unseated Nash in the 2008 federal election with 20,705 over Nash's 17,332.
A recent debate, hosted by the Swansea Area Ratepayers Association on April 13, highlighted that rivalry. Although on most accounts, the event was less a debate and more of a conversation about where each of the four candidates stood on a range of issues. It remained largely congenial and at times comical, except when the issue of Kennedy's attendance in Ottawa and in the riding was called into question.
"Of all things you might accuse me of, don't accuse me of not working for this community," Kennedy said. "I believe enough that if Peggy Nash... would look at the facts, repudiate what she has been putting out with phone calls and at the door we could have a good clean honest debate that this community wants and deserves."
During this campaign Nash has called into question Kennedy's attendance record on voting at the House of Commons, referencing media reports that Kennedy has missed one-third of the votes in the House.
"I do believe it is important that when you elect your member of parliament your vote be respected in the MP voting in the House of Commons," Nash said.
The panel of candidates included Kennedy and Nash as well as first-timer Conservative candidate Taylor Train and Christian Heritage Party of Canada candidate Andrew Borkowski, who ran in 2008, receiving 0.47 per cent of the vote.
Kennedy said it has been his privilege to represent the area but there is still work to be done to engage people in the political process.
"We need to be the ones who leave something behind for our kids," Kennedy said. "This isn't just about who you send to Ottawa or who you pick, it is about whether or not we get a positive agenda."
Borkowski, 45, was born in the riding and works as a pharmacist and has acted with Bloor West Village Playhouse. He describes himself as pro-life, pro-family and pro-justice.
Train, who has a degree in history, has been a resident of Parkdale-High Park for 15 years. A teacher at Seneca College, he has in the past served in the army and worked in financial services.
Train said he joined the race because he got fed up at yelling at politicians on the television and decided to do something about it.
"I'm a PUC," Train said. "I am a Progressive Urban Conservative. I am socially progressive, I sure am an urban boy and I believe in the Conservative philosophy. The Conservative philosophy is not grand schemes of things, not huge projects that are going to change society, but the little wee things that we can do every day inch-by-inch to improve people's lives."
Nash said scandals and political games have gotten in the way of real work being done in Ottawa.
"This community deserves a more reliable voice in Ottawa," said Nash. "You all know, however you have voted in the past, that I have worked tirelessly for this community, in and out of elected office. You do have a choice in this election; here in Parkdale-High Park you can vote for a leader who consistently stands up for you and your family and an MP who will respect the trust your ballot represents."
Questions that evening, which were submitted by the audience, covered a wide range including the aging population, climate change, gas prices, job security and immigration. But, perhaps the most telling responses came when the candidates were asked to imagine Parkdale-High Park in 20 to 50 years time.
Nash said she looks to a time when we have a more balanced and happier society where caring for those who are most vulnerable is our highest calling.
"At the end of our lives when we look back, what is most meaningful are our relationships with other people," Nash said. "I believe government has a role in fostering those relationships and in balancing powers outside of the democratic forces."
Train said his vision for the future is based on history and Canada's reputation as a land of opportunity.
"People can come here and they can live together in peace, they can live in a caring nation that they are proud of," Train said. "A place where they can live and grow with their families and build their lives with opportunity."
A place that will give them an education, work, security of person, freedom of religion and access to services, Train added
Kennedy said his vision is for a Canada that people can be proud of, that citizens are engaged in and feel they can contribute to.
"I see a Quebec that has reconciled with Canada and putting Canadians first, and I see people having a right to their own potential, whether they are new immigrants or low income people or any of the people we don't value as much as we should."
While offering his vision for the future of Canada, Borkowski replied, "Babies, babies, babies."
In 50 years Borkowski said he would like to see the population of Canada double.
"Like a European country, this is such an empty spacious county and the population is so low," Borkowski said. "We could be and should be up to a billion people. People are good for the economy."
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