本文发表在 rolia.net 枫下论坛Ianno, Chow spar again
Residents' groups hold 2nd debate in a week
Sabotage and sign-stealing in Trinity-Spadina
Jan. 11, 2006. 01:00 AM
RITA DALY
STAFF REPORTER
Candidates sparred over gun crime, child care and cash for cities at an all-candidates meeting in Trinity-Spadina last night.
Liberal MP Tony Ianno defended his party's proposed ban on handguns as a way to stop the violence plaguing Toronto's streets, but acknowledging "One fix won't solve all the problem."
However the NDP's Oliva Chow, trying to unseat Ianno in the downtown riding, said what's needed is a major investment in youth programs.
"That prevents crime from happening in the first place," she said.
Chow also attacked Ianno on his government's national child-care program, saying the funding won't even begin to flow until 2010.
Ianno shot back, saying the money has already gone to early learning centres that Chow and husband NDP leader Jack Layton have already visited.
Conservative candidate Sam Goldstein drew chuckles from the crowd when he tried to defend his party's $1,200 per child per year payout to families for child care.
"You can't hire a nanny for $1,200 a year," someone in the crowd yelled.
The meeting, sponsored by six residents' and business associations in the north end of the riding including the upscale Annex, drew a crowd of 300 residents and the seven candidates.
For the past two decades the NDP and Liberals have engaged in a tug-of-war over Trinity-Spadina, a riding that also takes in Kensington market, the University of Toronto, Chinatown, Little Italy and the Toronto Islands. Last night's debate was the second all-candidates meeting this week organized by powerful residents' groups bent on influencing the vote. On Sunday, members of a waterfront residents' group called Community AIR heckled Ianno over his stance on the island airport and the federal-controlled Toronto Port Authority, which operates it. Chow has vowed to close the money-losing airport if elected.
Another heated issue is the unpopular Chinese head tax, which has divided the community in Chinatown and could also affect the outcome of the vote. A powerful lobby of Chinese organizations has been pushing for an apology and individual compensation from the Liberals for months. They finally eked out an apology from Prime Minister Paul Martin recently, but the Liberals have so far refused to agree to individual compensation for head-tax payers and their survivors.
In recent weeks the battle between Ianno and Chow has been marred by allegations of sign sabotage and sign-stealing. Chow organizers say hundreds of signs have disappeared from entire streets, while Ianno's campaign claims numerous signs have been stolen from front lawns, including the MP's own on several occasions.
Ianno spokesperson Kelly Ouimet also said they are investigating the possible tampering of phone lines at his Beverley St. campaign headquarters.
Many expect Trinity-Spadina to be a horse race to the bitter end, although the Liberals' slide in the polls this week could prove otherwise. Ianno, who has been MP since 1993, has a large following in the Italian and Portuguese communities. Chow, wife of NDP leader Jack Layton, has worked hard to build up support as the area's city councillor for 14 years. She resigned her seat to run in this election.
This is the third time the two have gone head to head.
In 1997 Ianno beat Chow by 1,800 votes. Last year, he fought her off by only 805 votes.更多精彩文章及讨论，请光临枫下论坛 rolia.net