I have to say my service has been pretty good with the exception of the strike; I put out a big piece of furniture last week and I was impressed and happy to see it hauled away. I don't take out the garbage at my house, so I probably wouldn't know about the general state of things after pick-up.
It is interesting to hear that privatization is working in other cities -- I haven't researched this issue closely. I know Etobicoke, which has privatized services has roughly similar level service to Toronto (i.e., similar number of complaints recorded), but I also know the garbage collectors have significantly poorer contracts and aren't paid for sick days. I would really have to rationalize whether a potential tax break to Toronto residents is a better societal good than good quality jobs for several thousand garbage collectors (definitely an interesting question). Most labour economists will tell you that poor jobs do not contribute to the economy; the economy relies on workforce participants who have disposable income and feel secure spending it. Also, there are societal costs associated with poor jobs, which are hard to quantify, but interesting to think about.
If a deal is reached for privatization, I hope the contract establishes service levels, and includes out clauses and dispute resolution clauses. Unfortunately contracts do not cover how the work gets done (the control issue), which is always an interesting issue. I would recommend the City holds onto its fleet of trucks and continues to have some capacity for garbage collection, so that it can maintain a strong negotiating position with respect to future contracts. As long as thinking and logic is applied, things should be okay. I hope any contracts are made public, so we know how the City is spending tax money.
Lastly, it is an interesting misconception that privatization means there won't be a union. Contracts generally give the union successor rights. And some unionized workplaces are great examples of effectiveness and efficiency and some are not; same thing with non-unionized workplaces.
Joanna,
I have a cousin in pickering they seem to be happy with their garbage pick-up. They say the drivers are friendly and they do a good job. I hope now Windsor will follow and privatize as well, they should not have to put up with what they had to indore last year. Also the people in Etobicoke are happy as well with the service they are receiving.
I didn't hear about runaway trucks and stuff. However I did see my share my bad service from our Toronto Garbage collectors. I had to change my green bin twice. Leaving trash on the street and seen green bins in flower beds. So it's not perfect
As far as the training you keep mentioning, it don't mean much if you are not in your job mentally. I was taught whatever your job is, do it and do it well. With this lot is about money, never enough. If you can't take the smell don't do it, this is not for everyone.
There is another part to the privatization of garbage and that is the strikes, no one wants them anymore. We shouldn't have to walk our garbage to no park, we pay a lot of taxes for this service. Until the playing fields are more fair you are going to get this division among those in favour of unions and those who are not. JF
I've really enjoyed the discussion and I thought I would chime in, since I have a bit of a background in the area of business and industrial relations.
Several years ago I studied privatization of Ontario prisons: I was interested in where the cost-savings were coming from. I was disappointed to learn that most of the cost savings were coming not from innovative approaches, but from coercive approaches, such as reducing salaries, reducing training, hiring less qualified staff, hiring less staff, and compromising safety. One of my findings was that prison guards were doing escorts without back-up and working without breaks.
I should mention that there are also some examples where a mutually-beneficial labour relationship has emerged in privatization, and where employees have received higher wages, and management has been able to eliminate costly over-time and part-time work through job redesign.
The point I am trying to make is that we should be asking where the cost-savings from garbage privatization will be coming from? Will we be seeing unsafe garbage trucks on our streets that are, for example, over-filled and unable to brake properly? Will we see poorly trained garbage men? Or will we be seeing new and more efficient technology used in garbage collection?
Knowing what I know, my assumption is that privatization of garbage will produce cost-savings as a result of coercive approaches, because garbage collection like prison management is very staff-intensive, and doesn't lend itself easily to a lot of innovation.
The other thing we need to consider is once the City sells off all the garbage trucks, the City will not be in the same bargaining position with respect to future contracts. The garbage trucks and the City's ability to deliver garbage services is its best alternative to a negotiated agreement (BATNA). Once the BATNA changes, the City may have a more difficult time negotiating a good contract. We all know that you get the best deal when you are able and willing to walk away from your purchase.
Anyway, I would prefer to see careful experimentation versus ideological swings.
You're right. We could go back and forth forever. But I'm not interested in doing that. I can see that you care about our community as much as I do. We simply disagree about how to address it's ills. Jack, where you're mistaken is in your belief that I'm trying to change your opinion. I'm not trying to convince you of anything. I want the opportunity to express my beliefs and rally the support of those who share my values. I believe in democracy and you have a right to your opinion. Instead of further escalating this debate I'm going to sign off here.
Lisa T.,
I can see us going back and forth on this subject.
Like many other thousands of Torontonians, we will be supporting Rob Ford. I think we had enough with the BS. I have to disagree. I think the garbage collection in Etobicoke is going well, people, residents, taxpayers are all happy. I spoke to few garbage collectors in Etobcoke a few years back, they seem to be happy with what they were earning, no complaints
You speak about the effect on women, children and seniors, like there not effected now. When I mentioned in my last post about the TTC leaving people stranded in the middle of the night across the City, was that alright with you. It wasn't for me. Respect is two ways, that was not respectful or fair.
I think there is a place for Unions and they have done alot to change the world racist practice, unfair immigartion policies. women's equality and safe work place and so on, but at the same time I think it's gotten out of hand.
Someone needed to say enough. Ford is doing that with the blessings of Toronto Residents. The Union don't like it when they don't get their way. They are scared now, they finally had someone stand up to them. We seen what is happening with the abuse with City workers. The scandle with TCHC. The are are in unions or union supporters. greed, greed , greed.
Lastly I find it quite insulting when services were not provided when your unions went on strike and the services were not avaliable to low income and vulnerable citizens. When city dental, city welfare, city clinics, city daycare, clean parks, ttc wasn't avaliable. Oh that was okay for Lisa, because lisa doesn't use those services. I know many who did. They weren't happy even for a short time.
I'm struggling with your assumption that privatization is the answer to the the scenarios you speak to in your message. When we outsource services, such as garbage collection, we loose the opportunity even more so than in a public system to put pressure to maintain the integrity of those services and the integrity of the employment standards of those delivering these services. Go ahead and support Ford's agenda; because it seems to me that you can afford to pay more for your garbage collection. It is a misconception that a public system costs more, a total lie, in fact. It's just a matter of where the money is going. Less to the unionized employee, yes. Much, much more to line the pockets of private companies executives. I, however, care more about the standards of living for those in my community than personal profit (which seems to me to be the most simple difference between those on the left and those on the right).
I encourage all of us to take a less short-sighted view of privatization and we'll see seniors on a fixed income driven further into poverty. In this scenario, necessary public and social services that subside the living expenses of low income seniors will be cut to reallocate those funds to cover the high cost of garbage collection in a private system. I'm assuming that you're social location finds you in a privileged position so that you won't be effected in a private system like the number of city workers who will be faced with the choice of accepting gross pay reductions or loose their jobs, job security and experience of ethical employment practices. Or when TTC is privatized and women and their children cannot afford to pay fare for TTC. At all. Further, I find it quite insulting that you presume to know more about the hardships of being a woman when access to services are limited.
Do your research, what happens to services and people's access to those services in a private system? Support Ford and I guarantee you will see your community devastated indefinitely to a much greater degree than in the time limited union strikes you point to.
When the garbage strike was on and their many seniors and others with disabilities, taking their garbage with canes, walkers and wheele chairs, struggling to bring their garbage bags to Campbell Park. I didn't hear you or the others who are posting say anything about that.
Or when people were left stranded from one side of the City to the other. Women and young people who couldn't get home because the TTC decided to strike after midnight, I guess your mother, sister or kids were not on the TTC that night, or else your would responded differently. Family worries about their loved ones because they didn't know how to get home
Now that someone is trying to do something about this from happaening again, you guys blame Rob Ford, nobody to blame but greedy unions and the ndp, the ndp say their are for the people until their is a strike and screw everyone else. What a joke:
I'm supporting Rob Ford and I will email Ana Bailao and Lisa Rainford so they can hear from both sides. JF
Thanks to Lisa for posting this. It's crucial to be vigilant right now and resist Rob Fords corporate agenda. His cuts will harm, not help working people in our ward, as Lisa's letter eloquently points out . Ana should receive a clear message from her constituents on how to vote in Council on these privatization issues.
I have to agree with the Galleria boosters though. The mall doesn't have all the lustre of many other malls, but it makes up for it in having various affordable goods and services, plus acting as a sort of meeting place for many of the locals.
Another generic upscale mall is not needed.
Regarding the BlogTO review: It appears the writer visited the mall when it was empty and all the stores were closed. No wonder the impression was so bad....
I was just by the garden today and saw how lovely it looks so far. One of the volunteers has spent some time by himself doing the small section and making it look great!! Thank you so much for that.
Hi,
I'm happy to hear that you're working on the Lansdowne bike lane issue - we should connect. I can put it out to the Ward 18 Bike Union folks to see if we can support any efforts/ ideas you are developing.
Kathy kathyraddon@gmail.com
We are still looking for volunteers to help with weeding, planting and upkeep of the community garden on Rankin at the corner of Symington. Currently, most of our volunteers live on Campbell with only one volunteer on Rankin. With more help we could move to starting the remaining portion of the garden. We will be starting again soon with our regular schedule of Sunday mornings at 10:00 am for about an hour. Please come out and help.
This is a perfect example of what tax cuts deliver; service cuts for working people who really need the services. Expect a lot more of this in the next 4 years. It's Mike Harris all over again.
Vic,
I had this same Conversation with Wayne (green party) about Candidates attending or not attending debates. I replied by saying. My opinion is this, I have organized about 6 to 8 debates in my life time, maybe even more and I notice and this is my opinion like I said, not in anyway a scientific one. I don't feel it really helps the candidate to get more votes or not, specially in Davenport were debates are done in one language and you are only reaching out to a small percentage of residence. The the other thing is the majority of those in attendance are NDP supporters, this is what I observed
For example; If I look at the Green Party's results for this election, they have done worse then the last federal election and Wayne attended each debate. Same with Mario it didn't really help them any. I think Theresa deciding to door knock and work on her campaign was a good choice and the results was in the pudding, hard work pays off. Unfortunate I wasn't much help to her like I wanted to be and didn't know much about her daily routine.
Now the issue of Candidates living in the same riding or not. If you would of asked me a year ago I would of said yes of course this is important, very important to live here. But today I would say no, to me it don't matter if the candidate lives here or not.. I see our past elected officials who has lived in the hood and were absent (Mario, Tony R) and Theresa has nothing to do with this. I feel as long as a candidate represents his or her riding the best as they can and does his or her job well, who are rewarded very well$$ for been a MP or MPP, then that is what is important.
Lastly you are right about elected officials paying attention to Davenport, not just Conservative but all elected officials. We will have to wait to see how Cash does. Ask me in a yr or two. I feel their is a curse in Davenport that needs to be broken. History has shown that our elected official change after a few years, will have to wait and see. JF
Welcome back, Jack. We missed you while you were gone. The "anonymous" Conservative posts were kind of dull. Hope you can set them straight again. :)
I wouldn't say that 14% of the vote is "doing well", though I must admit that's actually higher than I expected our Conservative candidate to get. I'm just surprised that people voted for someone who doesn't live here (she lives in Oakville), didn't reply to emails, had a wrong phone number listed on her very minimal website, didn't attend all-candidates' meetings, etc...etc... For what it's worth, it seemed like she didn't even exist. 14% is damn good for someone who doesn't even show up, but pretty bad overall.
The NDP finally learned that they should run an actual local candidate in Davenport, rather than some guy who doesn't even live in Toronto, and it seemed to pay off for them.
Even the Conservatives learned this lesson in Etobicoke-Lakeshore, where local Con candidate Bernard Trottier gave Iggy (the parachute candidate from Yorkville) the boot. Apparently this was even a key part of their victory (Toronto Sun story):
Ignatieff, who lives in trendy Yorkville, is “just visiting” the area as he tries to fulfill his ambition to become prime minister, according to Conservative and NDP candidates fighting for the riding.
Conservative Bernard Trottier said the first thing voters want to know is whether he lives in the riding.
“That is the main question because of Ignatieff,” Trottier said on Wednesday. “Nobody here has seen Ignatieff around and voters take that very seriously.”
He said Ignatieff can’t properly serve area residents because he lives downtown.
It's not likely that I'd vote Conservative any time soon, but I hope that their party starts to pay more attention to Davenport. Bring in some better candidates. Show up to meetings. Communicate. Show that they actually exist. BE LOCAL. Stronger competition from all parties will help bring out the better candidates, and better representation. Residents of Davenport seem to be paying pretty close attention these days..
Side note: I feel that ALL parties, not just the cons and libs, are guilty of "parachuting" their candidates in as convenient. I already gave Con/Lib/NDP examples above, but the Greens do it all the time too, most notably bouncing Elizabeth May all over the country (though it finally paid off for them!). But I wish they'd all knock it off.
I couldn't help but to respond to Ian. Plus it's been a while since I posted.
Boy were's my manners- congrats to the NDP. Wasn't my first choice. However the people spoke and that's what counts, but willing to work with with Andrew to make my community a better place to live, work and play.
Anyhow to get back to Ian, I can assure you that the, Sky will not fall because Haper has a majority. When I read your posting it reminded me about the Bulrovian fairy tale. When Chicken Little was scared that the sky would fall. But then again I can understand your concern about Hapers we felt the same way about if Layton would become the PM.
Lastly I feel the Conservatives did well in this riding, best numbers we had in a long time. Last time we had a Conservative MP in Daveport was 1958-1962 and prior to that 1935,1940 and 1945. Since the riding of Davenport was estabished 1933 held by the first MP a Conservative.
If you haven't heard it, your choice of choosing Harper, essentially a traitor if what I hear is true, will destroy what you now know as Canada. Canada is in fact already part of the USA, they own us. Harper has already signed agreements to form the North American Union. That means in a short time we will lose control of our boundaries, our resources, our very identity. You didn't know about it because the media is controlled, you have to dig to hear the true agenda from the New World Order. We have lost. Thank you PC, Progressively stupid voters.
I have to say my service has been pretty good with the exception of the strike; I put out a big piece of furniture last week and I was impressed and happy to see it hauled away. I don't take out the garbage at my house, so I probably wouldn't know about the general state of things after pick-up.
It is interesting to hear that privatization is working in other cities -- I haven't researched this issue closely. I know Etobicoke, which has privatized services has roughly similar level service to Toronto (i.e., similar number of complaints recorded), but I also know the garbage collectors have significantly poorer contracts and aren't paid for sick days. I would really have to rationalize whether a potential tax break to Toronto residents is a better societal good than good quality jobs for several thousand garbage collectors (definitely an interesting question). Most labour economists will tell you that poor jobs do not contribute to the economy; the economy relies on workforce participants who have disposable income and feel secure spending it. Also, there are societal costs associated with poor jobs, which are hard to quantify, but interesting to think about.
If a deal is reached for privatization, I hope the contract establishes service levels, and includes out clauses and dispute resolution clauses. Unfortunately contracts do not cover how the work gets done (the control issue), which is always an interesting issue. I would recommend the City holds onto its fleet of trucks and continues to have some capacity for garbage collection, so that it can maintain a strong negotiating position with respect to future contracts. As long as thinking and logic is applied, things should be okay. I hope any contracts are made public, so we know how the City is spending tax money.
Lastly, it is an interesting misconception that privatization means there won't be a union. Contracts generally give the union successor rights. And some unionized workplaces are great examples of effectiveness and efficiency and some are not; same thing with non-unionized workplaces.
Joanna,
I have a cousin in pickering they seem to be happy with their garbage pick-up. They say the drivers are friendly and they do a good job. I hope now Windsor will follow and privatize as well, they should not have to put up with what they had to indore last year. Also the people in Etobicoke are happy as well with the service they are receiving.
I didn't hear about runaway trucks and stuff. However I did see my share my bad service from our Toronto Garbage collectors. I had to change my green bin twice. Leaving trash on the street and seen green bins in flower beds. So it's not perfect
As far as the training you keep mentioning, it don't mean much if you are not in your job mentally. I was taught whatever your job is, do it and do it well. With this lot is about money, never enough. If you can't take the smell don't do it, this is not for everyone.
There is another part to the privatization of garbage and that is the strikes, no one wants them anymore. We shouldn't have to walk our garbage to no park, we pay a lot of taxes for this service. Until the playing fields are more fair you are going to get this division among those in favour of unions and those who are not. JF
I've really enjoyed the discussion and I thought I would chime in, since I have a bit of a background in the area of business and industrial relations.
Several years ago I studied privatization of Ontario prisons: I was interested in where the cost-savings were coming from. I was disappointed to learn that most of the cost savings were coming not from innovative approaches, but from coercive approaches, such as reducing salaries, reducing training, hiring less qualified staff, hiring less staff, and compromising safety. One of my findings was that prison guards were doing escorts without back-up and working without breaks.
I should mention that there are also some examples where a mutually-beneficial labour relationship has emerged in privatization, and where employees have received higher wages, and management has been able to eliminate costly over-time and part-time work through job redesign.
The point I am trying to make is that we should be asking where the cost-savings from garbage privatization will be coming from? Will we be seeing unsafe garbage trucks on our streets that are, for example, over-filled and unable to brake properly? Will we see poorly trained garbage men? Or will we be seeing new and more efficient technology used in garbage collection?
Knowing what I know, my assumption is that privatization of garbage will produce cost-savings as a result of coercive approaches, because garbage collection like prison management is very staff-intensive, and doesn't lend itself easily to a lot of innovation.
The other thing we need to consider is once the City sells off all the garbage trucks, the City will not be in the same bargaining position with respect to future contracts. The garbage trucks and the City's ability to deliver garbage services is its best alternative to a negotiated agreement (BATNA). Once the BATNA changes, the City may have a more difficult time negotiating a good contract. We all know that you get the best deal when you are able and willing to walk away from your purchase.
Anyway, I would prefer to see careful experimentation versus ideological swings.
Just watching your Councillor at the Garbage debate. Is she making any sense? We're not in your ward but your website is more interesting than ours.
You're right. We could go back and forth forever. But I'm not interested in doing that. I can see that you care about our community as much as I do. We simply disagree about how to address it's ills. Jack, where you're mistaken is in your belief that I'm trying to change your opinion. I'm not trying to convince you of anything. I want the opportunity to express my beliefs and rally the support of those who share my values. I believe in democracy and you have a right to your opinion. Instead of further escalating this debate I'm going to sign off here.
For those who would like to read more about my position and would like some further reading, I'll leave you with this:
http://rabble.ca/blogs/bloggers/krystalline-kraus/2011/05/activist-commu...
I will be following your lead and sending a letter to Ana Bailao.
Lisa T.,
I can see us going back and forth on this subject.
Like many other thousands of Torontonians, we will be supporting Rob Ford. I think we had enough with the BS. I have to disagree. I think the garbage collection in Etobicoke is going well, people, residents, taxpayers are all happy. I spoke to few garbage collectors in Etobcoke a few years back, they seem to be happy with what they were earning, no complaints
You speak about the effect on women, children and seniors, like there not effected now. When I mentioned in my last post about the TTC leaving people stranded in the middle of the night across the City, was that alright with you. It wasn't for me. Respect is two ways, that was not respectful or fair.
I think there is a place for Unions and they have done alot to change the world racist practice, unfair immigartion policies. women's equality and safe work place and so on, but at the same time I think it's gotten out of hand.
Someone needed to say enough. Ford is doing that with the blessings of Toronto Residents. The Union don't like it when they don't get their way. They are scared now, they finally had someone stand up to them. We seen what is happening with the abuse with City workers. The scandle with TCHC. The are are in unions or union supporters. greed, greed , greed.
Lastly I find it quite insulting when services were not provided when your unions went on strike and the services were not avaliable to low income and vulnerable citizens. When city dental, city welfare, city clinics, city daycare, clean parks, ttc wasn't avaliable. Oh that was okay for Lisa, because lisa doesn't use those services. I know many who did. They weren't happy even for a short time.
I'm struggling with your assumption that privatization is the answer to the the scenarios you speak to in your message. When we outsource services, such as garbage collection, we loose the opportunity even more so than in a public system to put pressure to maintain the integrity of those services and the integrity of the employment standards of those delivering these services. Go ahead and support Ford's agenda; because it seems to me that you can afford to pay more for your garbage collection. It is a misconception that a public system costs more, a total lie, in fact. It's just a matter of where the money is going. Less to the unionized employee, yes. Much, much more to line the pockets of private companies executives. I, however, care more about the standards of living for those in my community than personal profit (which seems to me to be the most simple difference between those on the left and those on the right).
I encourage all of us to take a less short-sighted view of privatization and we'll see seniors on a fixed income driven further into poverty. In this scenario, necessary public and social services that subside the living expenses of low income seniors will be cut to reallocate those funds to cover the high cost of garbage collection in a private system. I'm assuming that you're social location finds you in a privileged position so that you won't be effected in a private system like the number of city workers who will be faced with the choice of accepting gross pay reductions or loose their jobs, job security and experience of ethical employment practices. Or when TTC is privatized and women and their children cannot afford to pay fare for TTC. At all. Further, I find it quite insulting that you presume to know more about the hardships of being a woman when access to services are limited.
Do your research, what happens to services and people's access to those services in a private system? Support Ford and I guarantee you will see your community devastated indefinitely to a much greater degree than in the time limited union strikes you point to.
Not surprised with your responses.
When the garbage strike was on and their many seniors and others with disabilities, taking their garbage with canes, walkers and wheele chairs, struggling to bring their garbage bags to Campbell Park. I didn't hear you or the others who are posting say anything about that.
Or when people were left stranded from one side of the City to the other. Women and young people who couldn't get home because the TTC decided to strike after midnight, I guess your mother, sister or kids were not on the TTC that night, or else your would responded differently. Family worries about their loved ones because they didn't know how to get home
Now that someone is trying to do something about this from happaening again, you guys blame Rob Ford, nobody to blame but greedy unions and the ndp, the ndp say their are for the people until their is a strike and screw everyone else. What a joke:
I'm supporting Rob Ford and I will email Ana Bailao and Lisa Rainford so they can hear from both sides. JF
Thanks to Lisa for posting this. It's crucial to be vigilant right now and resist Rob Fords corporate agenda. His cuts will harm, not help working people in our ward, as Lisa's letter eloquently points out . Ana should receive a clear message from her constituents on how to vote in Council on these privatization issues.
The Bloordale Press has posted an article about the April 24th meeting:
http://thebloordalepress.wordpress.com/news/development-corner-stone-lof...
BlogTO posted a scathing review of the Galleria today, followed up by quite a divisive set of comments:
http://www.blogto.com/fashion_style/2011/05/toronto_malls_in_need_of_mak...
Twitter was buzzing with commentary too.
I have to agree with the Galleria boosters though. The mall doesn't have all the lustre of many other malls, but it makes up for it in having various affordable goods and services, plus acting as a sort of meeting place for many of the locals.
Another generic upscale mall is not needed.
Regarding the BlogTO review: It appears the writer visited the mall when it was empty and all the stores were closed. No wonder the impression was so bad....
Does that mean the remaining surface rubble of concrete and bricks that's sitting there is fairly free of toxins.
I was just by the garden today and saw how lovely it looks so far. One of the volunteers has spent some time by himself doing the small section and making it look great!! Thank you so much for that.
Hi,
I'm happy to hear that you're working on the Lansdowne bike lane issue - we should connect. I can put it out to the Ward 18 Bike Union folks to see if we can support any efforts/ ideas you are developing.
Kathy
kathyraddon@gmail.com
Yvonne Bambrick took some great photos during the "Murals and Public Art in the Junction Triangle" walk on Saturday:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/yvonnebambrick/sets/72157626544192943/
Another photographer (D402010 on flickr) managed to catch Richard in the act of touching up his mural:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/48645178@N07/5699042999/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/48645178@N07/5699040867/
And I took a bunch of photos during Sunday's walk at the vacant TTC yard on Lansdowne:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/vgedris/sets/72157626567394279/
Hi,
DIGIN meets on the second Tuesday of every month. More info on the DIGIN website: http://www.digin.ca/
-Vic
Hi,
can you tell me how often these meetings happen? Thank you.
We are still looking for volunteers to help with weeding, planting and upkeep of the community garden on Rankin at the corner of Symington. Currently, most of our volunteers live on Campbell with only one volunteer on Rankin. With more help we could move to starting the remaining portion of the garden. We will be starting again soon with our regular schedule of Sunday mornings at 10:00 am for about an hour. Please come out and help.
This is a perfect example of what tax cuts deliver; service cuts for working people who really need the services. Expect a lot more of this in the next 4 years. It's Mike Harris all over again.
The TTC service cuts on our local 26 Dupont and 127 Davenport buses start this Sunday.
From the TTC's website:
Vic,
I had this same Conversation with Wayne (green party) about Candidates attending or not attending debates. I replied by saying. My opinion is this, I have organized about 6 to 8 debates in my life time, maybe even more and I notice and this is my opinion like I said, not in anyway a scientific one. I don't feel it really helps the candidate to get more votes or not, specially in Davenport were debates are done in one language and you are only reaching out to a small percentage of residence. The the other thing is the majority of those in attendance are NDP supporters, this is what I observed
For example; If I look at the Green Party's results for this election, they have done worse then the last federal election and Wayne attended each debate. Same with Mario it didn't really help them any. I think Theresa deciding to door knock and work on her campaign was a good choice and the results was in the pudding, hard work pays off. Unfortunate I wasn't much help to her like I wanted to be and didn't know much about her daily routine.
Now the issue of Candidates living in the same riding or not. If you would of asked me a year ago I would of said yes of course this is important, very important to live here. But today I would say no, to me it don't matter if the candidate lives here or not.. I see our past elected officials who has lived in the hood and were absent (Mario, Tony R) and Theresa has nothing to do with this. I feel as long as a candidate represents his or her riding the best as they can and does his or her job well, who are rewarded very well$$ for been a MP or MPP, then that is what is important.
Lastly you are right about elected officials paying attention to Davenport, not just Conservative but all elected officials. We will have to wait to see how Cash does. Ask me in a yr or two. I feel their is a curse in Davenport that needs to be broken. History has shown that our elected official change after a few years, will have to wait and see. JF
Welcome back, Jack. We missed you while you were gone. The "anonymous" Conservative posts were kind of dull. Hope you can set them straight again. :)
I wouldn't say that 14% of the vote is "doing well", though I must admit that's actually higher than I expected our Conservative candidate to get. I'm just surprised that people voted for someone who doesn't live here (she lives in Oakville), didn't reply to emails, had a wrong phone number listed on her very minimal website, didn't attend all-candidates' meetings, etc...etc... For what it's worth, it seemed like she didn't even exist. 14% is damn good for someone who doesn't even show up, but pretty bad overall.
The NDP finally learned that they should run an actual local candidate in Davenport, rather than some guy who doesn't even live in Toronto, and it seemed to pay off for them.
Even the Conservatives learned this lesson in Etobicoke-Lakeshore, where local Con candidate Bernard Trottier gave Iggy (the parachute candidate from Yorkville) the boot. Apparently this was even a key part of their victory (Toronto Sun story):
It's not likely that I'd vote Conservative any time soon, but I hope that their party starts to pay more attention to Davenport. Bring in some better candidates. Show up to meetings. Communicate. Show that they actually exist. BE LOCAL. Stronger competition from all parties will help bring out the better candidates, and better representation. Residents of Davenport seem to be paying pretty close attention these days..
Side note: I feel that ALL parties, not just the cons and libs, are guilty of "parachuting" their candidates in as convenient. I already gave Con/Lib/NDP examples above, but the Greens do it all the time too, most notably bouncing Elizabeth May all over the country (though it finally paid off for them!). But I wish they'd all knock it off.
I couldn't help but to respond to Ian. Plus it's been a while since I posted.
Boy were's my manners- congrats to the NDP. Wasn't my first choice. However the people spoke and that's what counts, but willing to work with with Andrew to make my community a better place to live, work and play.
Anyhow to get back to Ian, I can assure you that the, Sky will not fall because Haper has a majority. When I read your posting it reminded me about the Bulrovian fairy tale. When Chicken Little was scared that the sky would fall. But then again I can understand your concern about Hapers we felt the same way about if Layton would become the PM.
Lastly I feel the Conservatives did well in this riding, best numbers we had in a long time. Last time we had a Conservative MP in Daveport was 1958-1962 and prior to that 1935,1940 and 1945. Since the riding of Davenport was estabished 1933 held by the first MP a Conservative.
If you haven't heard it, your choice of choosing Harper, essentially a traitor if what I hear is true, will destroy what you now know as Canada. Canada is in fact already part of the USA, they own us. Harper has already signed agreements to form the North American Union. That means in a short time we will lose control of our boundaries, our resources, our very identity. You didn't know about it because the media is controlled, you have to dig to hear the true agenda from the New World Order. We have lost. Thank you PC, Progressively stupid voters.