Federal, provincial heavyweights endorse Martow, Racco
Markham Economist & Sun
February 3, 2014
By Tim Kelly
Liberal byelection candidate for Thornhill, Sandra Yeung Racco, got a campaign boost from Premier Kathleen Wynne at one of several Chinese New Year events in Markham last weekend. Many federal and provincial political heavyweights are supporting byelection candidates.
Expected frontrunners Gila Martow of the Progressive Conservatives and Sandra Yeung Racco of the Liberals were campaigning hard this past weekend as they look ahead to the Feb. 13 byelection in Thornhill.
Both candidates, attempting to take the provincial seat that is vacant after the PC’s Peter Shurman stepped down in December necessitating the byelection, were seeking support on the second last weekend before voters go to the polls.
Ms Martow got some high-level Conservative support from her Ottawa colleagues as federal Thornhill Conservative MP Peter Kent and Ottawa-Nepean MP and Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird joined her at a local campaign event Sunday.
“I am proud to lend my endorsement to Dr. Gila Martow in her campaign to become Thornhill’s next MPP. Gila is a strong voice for her community and a tenacious advocate for Thornhill. I look forward to calling her my provincial partner, proudly representing Thornhill as the new member of provincial parliament,” Mr. Kent said.
Ms Yeung Racco, a native of Hong Kong who came to Canada as a young woman, appeared at Chinese New Year events with Liberal Premier Kathleen Wynne and Markham-Unionville MPP Michael Chan, who is also Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport and Minister Responsible for the 2015 Pan/Parapan American Games.
The trio were joined in Markham by Richmond Hill MPP Reza Moridi, Scarborough-Agincourt MPP Soo Wong and Trinity-Spadina Liberal candidate Han Dong.
Saturday morning began with a visit to the Cham Shan Temple, where Master Dayi Shi led Ms Yeung Racco, Premier Wynne, MPPs Chan and Wong through ceremonial rituals before signed scrolls with new year’s messages. This was reportedly the first time a premier had ever visited the temple.
The group then travelled to the Galleria Mall, where they greeted local residents and wished them a Happy Lunar New Year, before heading to the Market Village Mall and the Pacific Mall to participate in Chinese New Year ceremonies.
“It’s fitting that I’m here with Sandra Yeung Racco to celebrate the Lunar New Year, because she really demonstrates the positive approach that this time of year is all about,” said Ms Wynne. “Sandra really connects with the Thornhill community and her keen focus on the issues that matter to people here will be a great benefit to all local residents.”
