Monday, August 17, 2009

St. Paul's by-election


There is an impending by-election in St. Paul's, our neighbouring riding to the south. I noticed this press release on the St. Paul's NDP website:

St. Paul's New Democrats to nominate candidate Sept. 9
Two declared candidates already in the race

New Democrats will select their candidate for the upcoming by-election in the Toronto riding of St. Paul's at a nomination meeting on September 9th, the party's provincial secretary announced this morning.

"This by-election is an opportunity to send a message to the McGuinty Liberals and send a strong representative to Queens Park," said Dennis Young.

"Two strong and respected individuals have already come forward to seek the NDP nomination and we look forward to a lively nomination process."

The nomination meeting will be held on September 9th at 7:00 p.m. at St.  Matthew's Bracondale House, 707 St. Clair Ave. West. The meeting date will be moved up if the by-election is called before then. Individuals interested in seeking the candidacy must declare by September 2nd.

The two declared candidates are:

Julian Heller - A local public education activist and ratepayer association leader, Heller has lived in the riding since 1983. He is a trial lawyer and ran as the NDP candidate in St. Paul's in both the 2003 and 2007 provincial general elections. Heller has built a reputation as an outspoken advocate for individuals, businesses and not-for-profit organizations.

Stuart Parker - A leading voice on environmental, poverty and voting reform issues for more than twenty years, Parker is a former director of Fair Vote Canada and Fair Vote Ontario. He is also a former leader of British Columbia's Green Party. Parker is currently a PhD candidate at the University of Toronto and has lived in St. Paul's since 2004.

St. Paul's has been vacant since former cabinet minister Michael Bryant resigned in early June. The Premier must call the by-election by December 7th.


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