Martow chosen PC candidate for Thornhill byelection

Vaughan Weekly
January 22, 2014
By Angela Gismondi

Gila Martow is hoping to keep the riding of Thornhill Conservative.

Martow was named the Ontario Progressive Conservative (PC) candidate in Thornhill Thursday and is gearing up to run in the provincial byelection on Feb. 13.

The election was called by Premier Kathleen Wynne last Wednesday to fill the vacancy left by Tory MPP Peter Shurman who stepped down last month.

“I think Thornhill needs a strong, clear voice at Queen’s Park and I want to be that voice,” said Martow. “I’m looking forward to joining the PC caucus at Queen’s Park and to make sure the issues that matter to Thornhill, the issues that matter to York Region and the issues that matter to me get solved.”

Martow is active in various areas of community and political life. She is president of the Beverley Glen Ratepayers Association and recently co-chaired a future of ratepayers association committee at the City of Vaughan. She is also the former president of the Thornhill PC Riding Association.

“I am very clear on what the issues are,” said Martow. “We need to get traffic moving and we need to get transit that the taxpayers - who are paying for it - want and need.”

As an optometrist, she is also concerned about healthcare in the province.

“The Liberals have made promises to build a hospital in Vaughan but still no shovels are in the ground,” she commented. “There are no signs of the promised hospital in Vaughan and no signs of the promised Yonge subway extension.”

She also said that Kathleen Wynne is buying votes with empty promises.

“Wynne puts the ‘buy’ in byelection,” Martow stated.

Gridlock is a major issue in the riding, Martow pointed out.

“We need to stop talking about it and start working together,” she said. “All levels of government need to work together to find a solution.”

She suggested that the proposed 10 cent tax on gas to help pay for transit infrastructure won’t benefit anyone but the Liberals.

“The money is going to go directly into the Liberal coffers instead of delegating the money for transit solutions.”

Martow also said that the PC Party is the only party with a plan to move Ontario towards a strong economy that will create jobs, especially for students graduating from post-secondary institutions.

“That is one of the biggest issues that I hear when I’m going door-to-door,” said Martow.

She also said that small business owners need help to succeed. They are currently feeling strangled by red tape, she explained.

“There are rules and regulations in place that make it difficult for businesses to succeed,” said Martow, adding the PCs have a five point plan to help small business owners.

Overall, Martow hopes voters will support her.

“I really believe and am really quite confident that the voters of Thornhill see through the empty promises of the Liberal Party,” stated Martow.

Martow, who has lived in the riding for 25 years, is not new to politics. In 2010, Martow ran for Vaughan city council but lost her bid to current Ward 5 Councillor Alan Shefman.

Martow already has many supporters including a few former Liberals. Former Thornhill Liberal MP Susan Kadis, who sat as Vaughan city councillor and York Region District School Board trustee (YRDSB), has endorsed Martow, as has Joel Hertz, current Thornhill YRDSB trustee and the vice-chair of the board.

When Peter Shurman resigned as MPP for Thornhill, Hertz encouraged Martow to seek the nomination.

“I believe she is the best person for the job,” explained Hertz.  “She is a hardworking member of the community and genuinely concerned about the welfare of the residents of Thornhill.”

As a longtime Liberal supporter, Hertz has raised a few eyebrows with his support of Martow. He is adamant that he supports those he would like to work with.

“I have seen her in action on many occasions, and she is a fighter, who is not afraid to express her views,” stated Hertz.

In a release, Ontario PC leader Tim Hudak stated Martow would be a “terrific representative for the people of Thornhill and a valuable addition to our PC team at Queen’s Park.

“The McGuinty-Wynne Liberals have put their own short-term political interest ahead of the people of Thornhill for too long,” said Hudak. “We are the only party with a plan to bring good paying jobs to communities like Thornhill. Our Million Jobs Plan will ensure that we rein in reckless government overspending to afford the things you care about, like health care and education.”

Martow won the nomination Thursday at La Vedette Banquet Hall in Vaughan after defeating challenger Bruce McIntosh, a longtime Thornhill resident who planned to run against Shurman in the 2007 nomination, but decided to withdraw and support Shurman instead.

After losing the nomination bid, McIntosh threw his support behind Martow, volunteering his time and energy to the campaign.

“We’re on very good terms,” said Martow. “We’re a real team here.”

Martow is married with four children, all of which were raised in Thornhill. She and her husband run an optometry clinic attached to Markham- Stouffville Hospital.

“As a business owner, health professional and mother, I want to make this one of the best communities in the province to start a business and raise a family,” said Martow. “I’m happy to be part of a team with a plan to fight gridlock and build subways. I’m ready to get started.”