Final day of campaign in vacant Toronto-Danforth riding
Posted Mar 18, 2012 08:56:43 AM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
TORONTO, Ont. – It will be a busy day in Toronto-Danforth riding Sunday, as candidates try and get some last-minute support in advance of Monday’s federal by-election.
The by-election is taking place to fill the seat left vacant in parliament after the death of former NDP leader Jack Layton.
Layton won the seat in last year’s federal election with a convincing 60 per cent of the vote.
NDP candidate Craig Scott is hoping he can ride the ‘orange wave’ all the way to Ottawa.
People in the riding are looking for a worthy successor to Layton, according to Scott.
“Who can stand up to Stephen Harper and add strength to the opposition for the next three years,” Scott said.
He adds that the issues are wide ranging, with transit and the environment coming up frequently.
“People talk about how difficult it is to get to work in a timely way, how difficult it is to get kids to childcare, that kind of stuff,” Scott said.
Grant Gordon is running for the Liberals, and he thinks along with the wide range of issues it’s key to stimulate local business.
“Door-to-door, I think families are feeling squeezed in our riding, but for a broad number of issues, child care, youth nutrition, immigration, old-age security,” Gordon said.
Andrew Keyes is running for the conservatives, and there are several independent candidates also in the race.
NDP MP Olivia Chow has also been helping out in the race, showing her support for NDP candidate Scott.
“They’ve been missing Jack Layton, and Jack Layton’s voice is no longer there, but Craig Scott has the same values that Jack had,” Chow said.
The polls open Monday at 8:30 a.m.
