Recent comments

  • 2011 Canadian Federal Election   6 years 50 weeks ago

    NOW Magazine has a riding profile and interview with Silva, Cash, and Scott. Again, Rodrigues did not answer:
    http://www.nowtoronto.com/guides/canadavotes/2011/story.cfm?content=180389

  • 2011 Canadian Federal Election   6 years 50 weeks ago

    20 minutes on May 2

    It's not riding specific, but a friend of mine worked on the video, and I have a feeling a few people 'round here might like it.

  • 2011 Canadian Federal Election   6 years 50 weeks ago
  • 2011 Canadian Federal Election   6 years 50 weeks ago

    * shudder *

    (and yes, I know he's provincial. Just thinking of horror movies for some reason)

  • 2011 Canadian Federal Election   6 years 50 weeks ago

    The writing is on the wall for Ruprecht. If Silva, who won by 5,000 votes in the last federal election, is coming so close to being knocked off, Ruprecht surely cannot hang onto the seat. He beat out the NDP by only 1,500 votes in the last provincial election, and that was with a strong showing from the Green Party.
    Liberal Party brass obviously realize this. That is why Ruprecht is not among the candidates for the October election listed on the party's website.
    Ruprect, on the other hand, is telling people that he is still in the running.
    I bet the provincial Libs are spooked by what is going on in Davenport at the federal level and Mcguinty won't sign off on Ruprecht's nomination papers. Ruprecht will be encouraged to retire.
    With the NDP gaining such a strong foothold in the riding, the Liberals will have to find an impressive replacement for Ruprecht if they want to hang onto the seat.

  • 2011 Canadian Federal Election   6 years 51 weeks ago

    OpenFile does some Q&A with Davenport candidates Andrew Cash, Wayne Scott, and Mario Silva:
    http://toronto.openfile.ca/toronto/file/2011/04/your-candidates-davenport

    The Bloordale Press has posted interviews with Mario Silva, Wayne Scott, Simon Luisi, and Andrew Cash.

  • 2011 Canadian Federal Election   6 years 51 weeks ago

    When it comes to community involvement by elected people, I think Adam Giambrone has been out the most. Strictly as councilor he was most responsive to calls. However, Mario is next. He's been to my building many times - and he's not trolling for big campaign donations here. He's been to other community events as well. You might not care about anything outside of your one issue, but your expectation that he would contribute to the strategy of your campaign strikes me as a completely false issue. Particularly given that it is primarily a provincial matter. I don't particularly like Silva but the sheer volume of false arguments makes me suspicious.

  • 2011 Canadian Federal Election   6 years 51 weeks ago

    I agree Joanna. Further to your comments I'd like to add that Mr. Silva was no help to the residents who suffered a year of pile-driving in the West Toronto Diamond, just up the road from us. I interviewed several people for my film who live by the Diamond and all of them (no exceptions) said Silva's office was no help whatsoever. Not only did his office claim it was not their jurisdiction but they couldn't even offer information about a government department or person/phone number that might be helpful. The same can be said for Tony Ruprecht's office and Cesar Palacio's.

  • Some recent local news and links   6 years 51 weeks ago

    anyone looking for a little entertainment might want to read through this: http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/canadavotes2011/story/2011/04/25/cv-elec...

  • 2011 Canadian Federal Election   6 years 51 weeks ago

    A rare combination Federal/Provincial election prediction:

    If Andrew Cash wins, and it looks like he could, OR, comes in a close second, expect Dalton McQuinty to start talking about electric trains within a week or so as he starts to see the writing on the wall and expect more trees to be cut down to fuel yet another 14 page booklet in the mail about how Tony "where?" Ruprecht loves the environment complete with photos taken years ago.

    Remember Dirty Diesel Trains have some Federal $$$ in them and remember which party has been pro electric train from day one. The results in our riding could certainly influence the next provincial election.

  • 2011 Canadian Federal Election   6 years 51 weeks ago
  • South Perth and Sterling cleanup: Summary and photos   6 years 51 weeks ago

    Kudos to Phillip for organizing the event, those who cleaned up and the Church for providing refreshments and hospitality and warmth.
    Despite the cold rain, I must say it was a rewarding experience.

  • 2011 Federal Election: Survey of Davenport Candidates   6 years 51 weeks ago

    Actually, here's a link that's outlines just what I'm talking about!

    http://www.avaaz.org/en/canada_elections/?cl=1033473293&v=8936

  • 2011 Federal Election: Survey of Davenport Candidates   6 years 51 weeks ago

    I take your meaning, but that's not actually what I was saying. It's obvious that in many ways we've got it pretty good in Canada, and I don't deny that, but it's amazing to me how such a chunk of the population doesn't seem to care about Harper's deceit and arrogance. And it runs really deep. How will such a man govern if he gets a majority? What would people who are going through the struggle for democracy think to learn that prime ministers in democratic countries govern the way he does? And that we let him get away with it?

  • 2011 Federal Election: Survey of Davenport Candidates   6 years 51 weeks ago

    While I don't really want to get into the political discourse, comparing our life in Canada, or our current government to that of Egypt or Libya is certainly a bridge too far. I would think that most of the people would (and in some cases are) dying to attempt to acheive the freedoms that we take for granted here in Canada.

    I agree with one's right to complain about the powers that be, and certainly stand by the ability to vote for change, but this comparison is a bit over the top.

    Having said all that... go Cash!!!!

  • 2011 Federal Election: Survey of Davenport Candidates   6 years 51 weeks ago

    As demonstrated clearly by their leader, the Conservatives couldn't care less about democracy. Harper gags his own people, won't talk about many topics, only takes 5 questions a day, is afraid to debate Ignatieff one-on-one, blocks freedom of information, has people removed from Conservative events based on their views and facebook photos... and on and on it goes. And he never apologizes, for anything. This is the behaviour of a dictator not a Prime Minister. I can't help but wonder what the people of Egypt or Libya would think of our current government.

  • 2011 Federal Election: Survey of Davenport Candidates   6 years 51 weeks ago

    "Defer" not "differ", sorry for any confusion. ( :-) Thanks again to JUNCTION TRIANGLE for the most uniquely probing questions of the campaign, so far. May the most votes in DAVENPORT be registered for the candidate who will prove the best servant of the common good, both locally and beyond. And let's all pledge to work with that individual, regardless of party, to achieve our common goals for our neighbourhood.

  • 2011 Federal Election: Survey of Davenport Candidates   6 years 51 weeks ago

    I find it odd that our conservative candidate is nowhere to be seen. She hasn't attended any of the All Candidates' meetings, and did not reply to my two emails about this survey. There is hardly a trace of useful information about her on the web, apart from some mentions that she's running in this election (and past elections) and references to her involvement in the In and Out scandal. Her own website is basically just a news feed of generic Conservative Party items, and nothing local. The phone number listed on her website goes to a poor guy who has been fielding wrong number calls (I managed to call her campaign office after finding an alternate number on the CPC website). And so far, the only person to post on this website, apparently from her campaign staff, basically posted anonymously to call another poster names. I've also received one piece of Conservative campaign literature at home, but again, it was all generic CPC stuff with no local content.

    I don't think the Conservatives really care about this riding at all, and just put a name in because they want to run a candidate in every riding, and collect the $2 per vote. But then again, it seems to be a trend during this election for the Conservatives to avoid the media and candidates' meetings across the country, sticking to only their scripted lines from party officials. They seem very closed and shut off from the general public. Why would I vote for someone who I have no information about?

    This alone narrows down the choices to Silva, Cash, and Scott. In their favour, at least they appear to exist. :)

  • 2011 Canadian Federal Election   6 years 51 weeks ago

    I think that education is a brilliant thing as long as it contributes to, and doesn’t take away from, effectiveness.

    I can't say that I have been involved in all political issues in Davenport, but I have been well involved on the electrification of the air rail link, and I feel that Silva is overselling his involvement when he says, "Residents of the Junction Triangle will be very familiar with my regular contact with them both through mailed newsletters and in person on a number of issues but in particular with respect to the Union Station/Airport rail link." I haven't been impressed with his efforts on this front. As far as I know, he has spoken about this issue briefly in Parliament, written a couple of very typical letters, published some uninspired articles in his newsletter, and shown up at one Dig-in meeting. I've had a hard time getting him to respond to my personal letters on this issue, and it isn't clear to me that he has contributed to a vision or strategy on this issue. If he is using electrification as one of his main examples of community involvement and consultation, then I would say that he probably really hasn't been very involved.

  • 2011 Federal Election: Survey of Davenport Candidates   6 years 51 weeks ago

    The problem for Silva is that he actually has a record in power to run on and it shows that we have been waiting for a national Day Care initiative for years despite promises from the Chretien and Martin governments; we have been waiting for Ottawa to get back into the social housing market since Martins' austerity program as Finance Minister; we have been waiting for a national transit program to improve the services in cities and between cities. Mario Silva cant recall why he missed the largest rally in the community in years ( Electrification of Georgetown) which is interesting since environmental issues have dropped off the Liberal radar and in fact his response about electric trains is the the only one that doesn't mention the environment or health, just cost. I add that the federal Liberal government promised this link in 1991 so it goes a long way to understanding the track record of Liberal governments getting things done for Toronto. If you like this record, then you know how to vote.

    More recently, blame can be shared with Harper as well and what about his candidate in this riding, Theresa Rodrigues, who doesnt seem to be able to show up anywhere to debate and finally has a website that offers no information about Davenport issues, its like she lives 30 KM away or something. Oh she does....

  • 2011 Canadian Federal Election   6 years 51 weeks ago

    The Star: Election vandalism

    It is very disturbing to see Wayne Scott getting targeted. Voter intimidation is a dangerous attack on our democracy. Of course I hope the culprit is caught, but even if not it is important that this not become a trend.

  • 2011 Canadian Federal Election   6 years 51 weeks ago

    I recorded most of the candidates' Q&A session at the recent DIGIN meeting. You can view it here:
    http://blog.digin.ca/2011/04/2011-davenport-federal-election.html

  • 2011 Canadian Federal Election   6 years 51 weeks ago

    Andrew Cash Wikipedia is here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andrew_Cash

  • 2011 Canadian Federal Election   6 years 51 weeks ago

    Just now it says:
    "Of Portuguese background, Silva is popular locally for his help with immigration matters, community involvement, and record on international human rights."

    ...umm, community involvement? How? When? Where? Anyone notice?
    I guess it's a truism that you cannot believe everything that you see in print.

    See it for yourself: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mario_Silva

    Ironic. Mario lost his city councillor to an NDPer, Adam Giambrone in 2003.
    (I SO hope Andrew Cash is not another Giambrone fail!)

    Will it be the NDP curse against him again? (especially given that the polls say the Liberals and NDP are in a dead heat).

  • 2011 Canadian Federal Election   6 years 51 weeks ago

    Mario Silva tried to plant this seed during the debate at Piccininni. Alleging that Cash doesn't live here. Baloney. He may have lived in other parts of the city at various times, i'm not sure. But haven't most of us?! I mean, am I any less a resident of this riding because I moved here from another province 15 years ago? Or because I spend two years in the east end (and of course, was miserable!) before I found my way back here. My kids go to school with Andrew Cash's son. Really, i think this is desperation time. If that's all that Silva can come up with then Cash has nothing to worry about.

    By the way, for those that didn't make it to the debate, Mario was roundly booed for trying to spin this. People were rightly outraged. kind of sad actually.