Corporate debt analyst hopes to carry Grit banner in 2015 federal election

YorkRegion.com
February 18, 2014
By Adam Martin-Robbins

A man with a very familiar last name, at least to those who follow politics, is seeking to represent the Liberals at the federal level.

Francesco Sorbara, a distant relative of former Vaughan Liberal MPP Greg Sorbara, is vying for the Grit nomination in the new riding of Vaughan-Woodbridge.

“Having the last name is not at a disadvantage,” said the 41-year-old father of two. “But, at the same time, I would hope the voter that I come across … (sees me) as a competent and credible person and a competent and credible candidate and as someone who has some ideas.”

Mr. Sorbara has been a Liberal party member since he was a teenager growing up in northern British Columbia, but this is his first crack at running for office.

Justin Trudeau’s leadership is one of the main reasons he decided to throw his hat in the ring.

“I kind of coined my campaign a new generation for Vaughan and it applies to what is going on in Canada,” Mr. Sorbara said. “I really do think we need a refresh in politics. I think Justin brings a different and fresh perspective. I think he would look at a lot of issues in terms of an evidence-based policy versus an ideological basis.

“I have a great amount of faith in his leadership. I have a great amount of faith that the Party is listening to Canadians and that Justin is listening to Canadians.”

Mr. Sorbara moved to Vaughan about a year ago, but said his relatives have lived in Woodbridge since the 1970s, so he’s “well immersed” in the city.

Bolstering Canada’s economy would be Mr. Sorbara’s top priority, if elected.

“The Conservative government had such a golden opportunity when they took over power because they inherited such strong finances,” Mr. Sorbara, a corporate debt analyst at a major financial institution, said. “They could have done so many things that could have propelled our economy forward. Instead of growing at 2 per cent, we could have grown at 3.5 per cent. It pains me, as an economist, what they’ve done.”

Specifically, Mr. Sorbara said the federal government must engage in pension reform and look at ways to improve the manufacturing sector.

“With regards to the CPP (Canada Pension Plan), there are so many proposals out there that could be adopted that wouldn’t harm small businesses, that would benefit income earners at the level that need to benefit,” he said.

Mr. Sorbara also thinks the federal government should hand over all of the gas tax funds it collects to municipalities.

“Squarely, that money should flow to municipalities and should flow strictly to infrastructure for transportation,” he said. “Right now, the first five cents, about $2 billion, the municipalities can spend it the way they like. That (money) should just be spent on transportation. The federal government should step up and say, ‘You know what? We can transfer the remaining five cents to the municipalities without impacting government finances, without impacting the AAA rating.

“The mechanism is in place for this funding vehicle and transferring that last five cents makes so much sense.”

A date for the nomination meeting still has not been set.

The federal election takes place Oct. 19, 2015.