2003-04-14

I was just at the Federation of Metro Tenants Associations' All-Candidates debate on housing issues. The event was chaired by Sue Cox of the Daily Bread Food Bank. Dominic Agostino attended for the Liberals. Michael Prue represented the NDP. Even though they have more MPPs than the other two parties combined, the Tories were nowhere to be seen.

Interestingly, another 4 or 5 NDP candidates (myself included) thought the event was important. And another Liberal candidate showed up at the end. Again, the Tory count remained zero.

No representative. No candidates. Apparently not even a note of regret. This is their standard practice on housing debates.

I can't say if their absence is a result of embarrassment over their record or simply another indication of their arrogant disregard for the 50% of Toronto residents who aren't members of the propertied class. Either way, every tenant in Toronto, and across Ontario for that matter, should make a point of getting out to vote this time and boot the Tories out of office.

Gary Dale, Provincial NDP Candidate
Scarborough East