Meet your King-Vaughan federal candidates
YorkRegion.com
Aug. 13, 2015
Tim Kelly
The new federal riding of King-Vaughan covers five of the six wards of King-Township, leaving out only the most northwest riding, Ward 6. It also includes Ward 1 in Vaughan, which covers Maple and Kleinburg.
In this election, four newcomers to federal politics are running for the four major political parties: Konstantin Toubis for the Conservative Party, Deb Schulte for the Liberals, Natalie Rizzo for the NDP and Ann Raney for the Green Party.
All four candidates were asked to submit a short biographical sketch of themselves, and answer three short questions: Why should voters in King-Vaughan riding vote for them; Why should voters in King-Vaughan riding vote for their leader; and, what do they think of the extended 11-week election campaign.
The bio and answers follow in alphabetical order:
Ann Raney, Green Party
Since Ann Raney was a child she has possessed the desire, courage and determination to do the right things. In addition to her career as an engineering consultant, she has volunteered her time as a coach, caregiver and community leader.
After studying metallurgy at Queen’s University, Raney worked in the design and manufacture of satellite components. Later she obtained her master’s degree and engineering licence.
Raney’s experience has been mostly in contracting and consulting engineering in the area of historical restoration. She has also worked in palliative care, visited seniors and volunteered. She was a chair of Neighbourhood Watch, a counselor for at-risk youth and a soccer coach. Raney knows mitigation of climate change is paramount and that, because of the unpredictability ahead for all Canadians, the economy must become sustainable, resilient and robust.
Why should Elizabeth May be chosen leader?
I believe Elizabeth May and the Green Party have the necessary integrity and intelligence to be taken seriously. Because my party will not just allow, but encourage me to represent and advocate for King-Vaughan in every way, I know I can be more effective than a member in other parties who is told how to vote, or must get permission to even speak out. I will have to work very hard to live up to Ms. May’s example as an effective and hard-working representative in Parliament. She has been feted twice by her fellow MPs with awards in the Commons that say just that, “most effective MP” and “hardest working MP.”
What can you do for the riding?
As a Green MP, unlike the other national parties, I will always be free to vote in the best interests of the constituents of King-Vaughan, to stand up, to speak out on their behalf, and see that the right thing is done for them and future generations.
What do you think of the extended 11-week election campaign?
“I do believe he’s (Stephen Harper) called it (the election) for motives other than he might say, which are of course the financial advantages that the Conservatives have and maybe to dull the blows from third-party ads. I think in Canada we don’t have to go coast to coast on the back of a train anymore and so it doesn’t need to be as long as it’s been declared for all Canadians to be heard from. That being said, it’s always good to have Canadians get as much exposure to talking about the issues. My concern is, it doesn’t matter if it’s been called or not, there still seems to be in major media, way too much emphasis on analyzing and criticizing strategy instead of talking about the content of the platforms and discussion with some expert analysts.”
Natalie Rizzo, NDP
In 2010, Natalie Rizzo, of Maple, was elected to represent over 93,000 students on the Toronto Catholic District School Board. She has been awarded several honours, including the W.B. Dunphy Student Leadership Award and the Green Toronto Youth Leadership Award.
A longtime member of Development and Peace, an organization dedicated to educating Canadians on social justice and international development, Rizzo was active in the campaign to improve accountability of Canadian mining companies abroad, and she recently spent four months working in Ghana. Rizzo has also worked as a program coordinator at the King Township Museum, preserving and celebrating the history of our community. A visual artist herself, Rizzo is a strong supporter of local arts and culture.
Why should Tom Mulcair be chosen leader?
This election is about change. After 10 years of Stephen Harper, middle-class families are working harder but can’t get ahead. When I’m out engaging with the residents of King-Vaughan, I’m hearing the same message: Stephen Harper’s plan just isn’t working. When it comes to defeating Harper, Justin Trudeau isn’t up to the job. Canadians gave Trudeau a chance, but he hasn’t lived up to expectations. Tom Mulcair is the only leader who is ready and able to replace Harper’s Conservatives. Tom has a concrete plan to help middle-class families get ahead. He’s ready to bring change to Ottawa to help the people of King-Vaughan.
What can you do for the riding?
I believe I am the right representative for King-Vaughan as I am dedicated to the future of the riding. Young people today are more educated than ever before but are not able to find jobs that match their capabilities. Youth unemployment is nearly double that of the national average and young people in Vaughan and King Township are struggling to find work. There are over 16,000 people between the ages of 18 and 29 living in this riding. It’s time to face the facts. Liberal and Conservative governments have failed the young people of Vaughan and King Township. I am on the ground, in touch with the experiences of those struggling to make ends meet. I am ready to work hard to get results for King-Vaughan.
What do you think of the extended 11-week election campaign?
For New Democrats, the campaign began months ago. We are ready to go, regardless of this campaign being twice as long as normal. But the longest and most expensive campaign in a century won’t kickstart our economy, or help get 1.3 million unemployed Canadians back to work. Mr. Harper will have to explain his priorities, and I’ll keep knocking on doors and sharing Tom’s plan to help middle-class families get ahead.
Deb Schulte, Liberal
Deb Schulte, a resident of Vaughan, served one term on regional council in Vaughan. She was elected in 2010 and lost in a bid for re-election in 2014.
Before serving on regional council Schulte served on the Greenbelt Task Force, the Humber Watershed Alliance and the Oak Ridges Moraine Foundation board of directors. She was also a soccer coach and convener of the Kleinburg-Nobleton Soccer Club, a school council chair and ratepayer association president.
Schulte earned a mechanical and aerospace engineering degree from Princeton University and spent 22 years in business and management at Bombardier Aerospace. She lives with her husband Dave, their two sons, Daniel and Derek, and their Labrador retriever, Lucy.
Why should Justin Trudeau be leader?
“Justin Trudeau is ready to lead. He is cooperative, he listens, he is creative in his solutions, he is willing to fight to get Canada back on track for a prosperous future; one where we can shine again on the world stage. He has a strong, diverse team of community leaders ready to serve with him in Ottawa. He is willing to engage the three levels of government that need to work cooperatively to solve the most pressing problems for our citizens.
What can you do for the riding?
I am in a unique position with my past experience to best serve the riding. I have been fortunate to previously serve as a regional councillor working to solve the many pressing problems in York Region. I have good established relationships with all our local political leaders, at all levels of government. During my time on council I helped to keep the tax increase lower than the previous council, as we worked to reduce waste and improve efficiencies. We created jobs and encouraged employment investment. I advocated for important road and transit improvements; expansion of Major Mackenzie, Hwy. 427 extension, improved GO service and enhanced transit service and many safety initiatives such as additional traffic lights and better cycling facilities, to name a few. I developed a reputation as being the people's voice on council fighting to improve our communities and environment.
What do you think of the extended 11-week election campaign?
I think it’s wasteful of taxpayers’ dollars. All the campaigns are run on donations. I value those donations as much as I value the taxpayer dollars. It’s just unnecessary and cynical to do this. I find now we’ve got lawn signs all over the place. It certainly wasn’t the intent when the law was changed to drag everybody through this, a prolonged process. As a candidate we are campaigning anyway, we are out there doing what we have to do, but… who wants a sign on their lawn in the middle of summer? Most people are on holidays, people are out thinking about the summer.”
Konstantin Toubis, Conservative
Konstantin Toubis was born in 1973 to a family of a university professor and an engineer. He has been married to his wife Larissa since 1997. Together, for the past 17 years, they lived in the community of King-Vaughan where they raised three daughters. Since 1998, Toubis has been a fixture in King-Vaughan. Besides earning his living as a successful real estate Broker, he currently serves as president of the Russian Canadian Educational and Recreational Centre and is the coordinator of the Association of Soviet Jewry in Canada. Toubis has also been a member of the Conservative Party for many years. He was an active member of MP Julian Fantino’s campaign team in the past two elections and played an integral role assisting MP Mark Adler throughout his term in office.
Why should Stephen Harper be leader?
Stephen Harper has experience, balance and a willingness to do what needs to be done. Canada is like a ship. Recently we have been in some pretty stormy economic waters. Mr. Harper is the captain who stands on the deck in the worst storm taking command. It’s only after the storm when you realize everyone has survived you really appreciate his understanding of what it takes to make the hard decisions. I believe much of the electorate realizes if Justin were in charge the Canadian people would have been sunk. Regarding national security, Mr. Harper does not put his head in the sand. He recognizes who is threatening people in Canada and has put concrete measures in place to fight them.
What can you do for the riding?
King-Vaughan is my home. My family and I have lived here for over 17 years. I understand what makes a community successful … family values and economic security. When I vote on an issue, it has to reflect the concerns of the families in King Township, as well as the needs of the stakeholders in Vaughan. The citizens of this community are effectively my employers. I have worked all my life in the private sector so I understand the great feeling a family has when they have a good job, a safe community and a justifiable expectation their children will have an even brighter future to look forward to.
What do you think of the extended 11-week election campaign?
We’re going to be well-prepared for the election because we have more time to campaign and more time to be able to deliver our message to people. So there are lots of benefits from it. It allows you to spend more money because it’s a longer campaign, but it doesn’t mean you have to. I do door canvassing every day and it costs me time and energy and time for my people and that’s not money. At least now, I know it’s an official campaign and I know when you’re campaigning you’re reaching the voters.
