Toronto-Danforth By-election

[Newfoundlander]

The by-election in Toronto-Danforth to replace Jack Layton will be called within the next couple of months, I think it could be a very interesting race without Layton. Claire Prashaw, Layton's constituency assistant, has come forward for the NDP while former Liberal candidate Andrew Lang wants the nomination again. I've heard the Conservatives have been calling people in the riding looking for support, but I don't know if they have a candidate in mind.

Does anyone live in Toronto-Danforth, or have any information on what's going on within the riding with regards to the by-election?

[Shwa]

I wouldn't be the least surprised to see the cons fly in Saulie Zajdel. A nice Jewish boy from Montreal, how could they not like him on the Danforth? He's practically an MP anyways...

[punked]

Seems like a pipe dream the only time this ridding was Liberal was when the Liberals had every seat in Ontario except for 1. It does not have a Liberal or Conservative History but hey anything can happen in a bi-election maybe Rea can stop by and remind everyone of when he held the seat and all the great things he did (as a New Democrat MP).

[JCR]

Things seem to be taking shape here in Toronto Danforth. It would appear that there are a few people vying for the Liberal and NDP nomination. From what I've been able to gather, none of the mainstream parties have declared their candidates. There is a facebook group (Toronto Danforth 2012 By-Election) that has updated information regarding the candidates and events leading up to the by-election. I will be the candidate for the Libertarian Party. My name is John Recker, and you can find out more about myself and the party at JohnReckerLibertarian.ca.

Edited December 28, 2011 by JCR

[Michael Hardner]

Best of luck John. Is Canadian Libertarianism different from the American kind?

[JCR]

Best of luck John. Is Canadian Libertarianism different from the American kind?

Thank you Michael. I'm the first to admit that I've got my work cut out for me in this riding. There are some basic ideological similarities, but I think the focus tends to be different. Just as the conservatives in the US might focus more on Christian principles and Tax breaks, and the PC's in Canada appear to favor concentrating on managing resources and creating more stringent legislation, both advocate for "strong government". Libertarians in America might focus more on constitutional rights, while Canadian Libertarians (at least the ones I know) tend to look at things like the environment and social liberties as being more important issues. I think it would be fair to say that in both countries, Libertarians believe in non-aggression, that the government should be accountable, and that the State should be more limited in its ability to use force against its citizens. Something that does differentiate Canadian vs. American libertarianism is that the Libertarian Party of Canada is younger and growing. Because of this, the American party is a little more cohesive in it's message. Although not foreign to the Liberals, Conservatives and NDP, there is debate amongst members of this party about what exactly it means to be a Libertarian. While there is largely consensus on the fundamentals, there remains much discussion along the periphery, but I tend to view this as a positive.

[Newfoundlander]

Belinda Stronach is being encouraged by Liberals to run in Toronto-Danforth, according to an article I read the Liberals riding association is expecting to have upwards to five candidates running for the nomination. As many probably know there are also three people running for the NDP nomination, I believe their candidate will be selected very soon.

[JCR]

Belinda Stronach is being encouraged by Liberals to run in Toronto-Danforth, according to an article I read the Liberals riding association is expecting to have upwards to five candidates running for the nomination. As many probably know there are also three people running for the NDP nomination, I believe their candidate will be selected very soon.

Toronto-Danforth NDP Nomination contest, the nomination vote will be 7pm at Metropolitan Community Church on Monday, January 9. Olivia Chow is the guest speaker, I understand. To stay up to date this f/b group seems to be staying on top of things: https://www.facebook.com/#!/groups/325112527518489/

[Newfoundlander]

Craig Scott was elected as the NDP candidate for the by-election. The Liberal Party seems to be moving very slowly in selecting their candidate, which won't help them when the by-election is eventually called. I think the Liberal Party has lost there chance on this by-election due to their slowness.

Maybe we'll see the rise of the Libertarian Party.

[Rick]

Maybe we'll see the rise of the Libertarian Party.

Ya because that's exactly what this country needs, another corporate ass kissing right wing party..

[Michael Hardner]

There's nothing saying that Libertarians necessarily support the idea of corporations is there ?

[Rick]

There's nothing saying that Libertarians necessarily support the idea of corporations is there ?

Given their right wing beliefs, you'd be hard pressed to even suggest that they don't.

[JCR]

I believe the traditional left-right dichotomy to be misleading when applied to libertarianism. While Libertarians support reducing barriers to freedom in many sectors, the goal of this is to bolster social liberties and well-being. For example, we'd like to see a huge reduction in wasteful spending and much reduced size of government, but we're also against the government legislating morality. Libertarians also support stiff penalties for those who violate the rights of others, whether they be individuals, corporations or governments. We believe we need to hold the leaders of large corporations personally responsible for the messes they make - be it in banking, government, environment or scandals. It's hard to deny that there is a lack of accountability across the board. Though we differ on the means, I think libertarians have a lot in common with left-leaning thought in terms of it's goals.

[Michael Hardner]

I believe the traditional left-right dichotomy to be misleading when applied to libertarianism. While Libertarians support reducing barriers to freedom in many sectors, the goal of this is to bolster social liberties and well-being. For example, we'd like to see a huge reduction in wasteful spending and much reduced size of government, but we're also against the government legislating morality. Libertarians also support stiff penalties for those who violate the rights of others, whether they be individuals, corporations or governments. We believe we need to hold the leaders of large corporations personally responsible for the messes they make - be it in banking, government, environment or scandals. It's hard to deny that there is a lack of accountability across the board. Though we differ on the means, I think libertarians have a lot in common with left-leaning thought in terms of it's goals.

John - if a Libertarian majority government formed in Ontario or Canada, don't you think that the results would be devastating for those who are wholly dependent on social assistance ? At least in the short term ?

[Rick]

And JCR, could you be sure to include your party's position on public health care too.

Thanks in advance

[JCR]

John - if a Libertarian majority government formed in Ontario or Canada, don't you think that the results would be devastating for those who are wholly dependent on social assistance ? At least in the short term ?

I don't know anyone who is naive enough to think the changes that will ultimately bring about a more free and equitable society could be achieved over night. There are many other wasteful areas of government that need to be considered before we address those services that effect the most vulnerable members of our society. Even then, any transition would be gradual and ultimately for everyone's benefit. So, I don't know that-in the short term-the changes made would have a negative impact on people who are dependent on social services.

[Newfoundlander]

So the Liberals are supposedly delighted about the NDP nominee in the riding. One potential candidate for them that I thought might run is George Smitherman but he has declined and is instead searching for potential candidates.

http://news.nationalpost.com/2012/01/11/jack-laytons-former-riding-in-liberals-crosshairs-as-ndp-nominates-rookie-for-byelection/

[JCR]

And JCR, could you be sure to include your party's position on public health care too.

Thanks in advance

Thank you for your question Rick. Since you've already posted a link to the party's platform, I'll assume you already know that the Libertarian Party seeks to transition away from a government monopoly on the provision of healthcare services. Here again, any changes would be incremental.

Edited January 11, 2012 by JCR

[fellowtraveller]

Craig Scott was elected as the NDP candidate for the by-election

That is disappointing, I thought we would see a rehabilitated Svend Robbingstores as the NDP man.

[Michael Hardner]

I don't know that-in the short term-the changes made would have a negative impact on people who are dependent on social services.

Ok - why not ? Let's be specific here.

Example: A Libertarian government has been elected with a majority government - what happens to welfare ?

[JCR]

Ok - why not ? Let's be specific here.

Example: A Libertarian government has been elected with a majority government - what happens to welfare ?

Thank you for your interest in the Libertarian Party of Canada. For specifics about the long term goals of libertarianism, please visit the party website (libertarian.ca) platform section. There are also many great resources on the web that explain in more detail how these goals can be achieved. You can find some useful links on my website johnreckerlibertarian.ca in the contact section, along with my contact information should you wish to ask me directly for my perspective.

Thanks again,

John

[Michael Hardner]

Thank you for your interest in the Libertarian Party of Canada. For specifics about the long term goals of libertarianism, please visit the party website (libertarian.ca) platform section. There are also many great resources on the web that explain in more detail how these goals can be achieved. You can find some useful links on my website johnreckerlibertarian.ca in the contact section, along with my contact information should you wish to ask me directly for my perspective.

Thanks again,

John

Ok - I was kind of hoping for a dialogue on this topic though.

The topic is touched on in the FAQ section of libertarian.ca, but not in detail.

[Rick]

LOL, well that didn't take long at all. He' already got the political BS talk down pat.

Any party that wants to do away with our health care system can rot in hell if I have any say in the matter.

[Newfoundlander]

LOL, well that didn't take long at all. He' already got the political BS talk down pat.

Any party that wants to do away with our health care system can rot in hell if I have any say in the matter.

He never said anything about "doing away with our health care system", he mentioned stopping the government monopoly.

This is about the TD byelection anyway.

[Rick]

Read their platform.

And yes, this is about the TD byelection but why is it in the provincial politics section when this is a federal riding....

Edited January 12, 2012 by Rick