Byelection day in Toronto-Danforth to elect Layton successor
Posted March 19, 2012 10:12 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
TORONTO, ON (NEWS1130) – A federal byelection is being held in Toronto-Danforth today to fill the seat left vacant in Parliament after the death of former NDP leader Jack Layton.
Layton, who died of cancer last August at the age of 61, won the riding with an overwhelming 60 percent of the vote in the last election.
NDP candidate Craig Scott is hoping he can ride the ‘orange wave’ all the way to Ottawa.
According to Scott, people in the riding are looking for a worthy successor to Layton. “Who can stand up to Stephen Harper and add strength to the opposition for the next three years.”
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,” explains Scott.
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.”
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 Scott.
