4 candidates vie for Markham-Thornhill vacancy in April 3 byelection

Yorkregion.com
March 14, 2017
By Tim Kelly

Liberal candidate Mary Ng had the Markham-Thornhill riding byelection field to herself - for a few days anyway.

There are now three other candidates lined up to challenge for the vacant April 3 federal seat, called by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau when longtime MP John McCallum resigned in January to take up an appointment as Canada's ambassador to China.

Ragavan Paranchothy won the Conservative nomination over four challengers last Wednesday and immediately hit the campaign trail.

The 42-year-old father of two, who has lived in Markham for the past seven-plus years, said he is a broadcaster by profession who also does PR consulting.

He believes it's important that the representative of Markham "lives in Markham and understands the issues of Markham.

"I'm a resident of Markham and have worked with numerous cultural ethnic groups and organizations in Markham, so I have a better understanding of how things work here."

He also says, among other issues, the government’s planned legalization of marijuana is a concern he has heard about at the door.

Gregory Hines has been nominated by the New Democratic Party. He is described as a small-business owner and community support worker, "who will fight for hard-working families in Markham-Thornhill as our next member of Parliament."

Hines is a husband and father of four who says he is a supporter of the arts. He has operated the DOAHL Academy of Dance in Markham for the past decade, serving as director, choreographer and CEO.

He has also worked as a community support worker for the past eight years, providing support to adults with intellectual disabilities through Community Living York South.

Brendan Thomas Reilly has been nominated to represent the Libertarian Party of Canada.

A resident of Pickering, Reilly works at the University of Toronto, as the model system designer/programmer.

He says he has distanced himself from the status quo parties, “due to their sheer size and desire for control of the lives of all citizens.”

The byelection is one of five being held across Canada the first Monday of April.