Seta's Armenian Blog: Endorsements for the May 2, 2011 Federal Elections

Saturday, 30 April 2011

Endorsements for the May 2, 2011 Federal Elections

Endorsements for the May 2, 2011 Federal Elections
Following meetings with candidates and consultation with community members, the Armenian National Committee of Toronto is pleased to announce that it is endorsing the following candidates in the Greater Toronto Area for the May 2, 2011 federal election. We call upon all Armenians in the Greater Toronto Area to support our endorsed candidates, be it financially, or through volunteering on their campaigns, and most importantly with your vote on Election Day.
Endorsements are made based on candidate's stance on Armenian issues and his or her closeness with the Armenian community and are not based on a candidate’s political affiliation.
City of Toronto
	Joe Daniel (Conservative) Don Valley East Joe Daniel is the Conservative candidate seeking election to be the Member of Parliament in Don Valley East. Joe has close ties with the Armenian community and was present at the annual Armenian Genocide commemoration on April 23, 2011.

	Rob Oliphant (Liberal) Don Valley West Mr. Rob Oliphant is seeking re-election in Don Valley West, a riding where he began serving as Member of Parliament in 2008. In that time, Rob has been a close friend of the Armenian community and was part of a delegation, organized in part by the Armenian National Committee of Canada, that visited Armenia in 2010. Since his visit, he has been a very vocal voice for an array the Armenian community’s issues including establishing a Canadian Embassy in Yerevan, as well as Armenian Genocide recognition and other matters.

	Borys Wrzesnewskyj (Liberal) Etobicoke Centre Borys Wrzesnewskyj, the Liberal Member of Parliament for the riding of Etobicoke Centre, was first elected in 2004 and was re-elected in 2006 and in 2008. Borys has been present at Armenian Genocide commemoration events in the past.

	Michael Ignatieff (Liberal) Etobicoke-Lakeshore Michael Ignatieff is the leader of the Liberal Party of Canada and Leader of the Official Opposition in Canada since 2009. A supporter of Canadian Armenian issues, Michael showed his support by attending the commemoration of the 95th Anniversary of the Armenian Genocide in Toronto in 2010.

	John Cannis (Liberal) Scarborough Centre Mr. John Cannis has been a friend of the Armenian community, representing Scarborough Centre since 1993. Since being elected, John has been supportive of Canadian-Armenian issues.

	Jim Karygiannis (Liberal) Scarborough-Agincourt Jim Karygiannis has been a long time friend of the Armenian Community. He is also one of the longest serving Members of Parliament, representing Scarborough-Agincourt since 1988. Jim has never been shy about supporting the Armenian community, and has been very outspoken about Armenian Genocide recognition as well as other community issues since his first days in office.

	John McKay (Liberal) Scarborough-Guildwood John McKay was first elected as the Member of Parliament for Scarborough East in the 1997 federal election and re-elected in 2000. In 2004, John was elected to the new riding of Scarborough-Guildwood and re-elected once again in 2008. John McKay has been a supporter of the Canadian Armenian community since first being elected.

	Rana Sarkar (Liberal) Scarborough-Rouge River When long time Liberal MP (and friend of the Armenian community) Derek Lee, decided not to seek re-election, he decided to endorse his friend and trusted assistant, Mr. Rana Sarkar. Rana started his career working in Derek Lee’s constituency office and is now ready to represent Scarborough-Rouge River in Parliament.

	Bob Rae (Liberal) Toronto Centre The Hon. Bob Rae has had a long career in Canadian politics, and has been a strong supporter of Armenian issues since previously serving as Premier of Ontario. Bob is currently seeking re-election in Toronto Centre, the riding he has served since 2008, and we support him in his efforts.

	Jack Layton (NDP) Toronto-Danforth Leader of the New Democratic Party of Canada, Mr. Jack Layton, has proven himself as a force in Canadian politics. He has been the leader of the federal NDP since 2003. Jack has been an outspoken supporter of Armenian Genocide recognition since his earlier days as a Toronto City councillor.

	Olivia Chow (NDP) Trinity-Spadina Ms. Olivia Chow is seeking re-election in Trinity-Spadina, a riding where she began serving as Member of Parliament in 2006. Prior to that Ms. Chow was a Toronto city councilor for 14 years and a Toronto public school board trustee for 6 years. Olivia is an effective advocate for the people of Trinity-Spadina and has demonstrated her commitment to issues of importance for the Canadian-Armenian community.

	Chungsen (CS) Leung (Conservative) Willowdale Chungsen, an entrepreneur with vast international business experience, is running for Member of Parliament in Willowdale. He has been instrumental in the formation of The Richmond Hill and Markham Chinese Businessmens Association. The incumbent candidate in Willowdale, Martha Hall Findlay, has demonstrated stances on issues of fundamental importance to Canadian-Armenians that are inconsistent with that of the Armenian National Committee of Toronto and, in some instances, even her own political party.
Surrounding Area
	Bob Saroya (Conservative) Markham-Unionville Mr. Bob Saroya is the Conservative candidate for Markham-Unionville. Bob was present at the annual Armenian Genocide commemoration on April 23, 2011.

	Lois Brown (Conservative) Newmarket-Aurora Lois Brown is the Member of Parliament for Newmarket-Aurora where she was first elected in 2008. Lois has been present at a number of the Armenian community’s events, including the ACC Summerfest, as well as the annual Armenian Genocide commemoration event.

	Paul Calandra (Conservative) Oak Ridges-Markham Paul Calandra was elected into office as the MP for Oak Ridges-Markham in 2008. Over the past two and a half years, Paul has proven to be a great friend of the Armenian community, and championed a number of its initiatives.

	Costas Menegakis (Conservative) Richmond Hill Mr. Costas Menegakis has been an active member of Toronto’s and Canada’s Greek Community, and is now ready to take his experiences to Parliament Hill. We are confident in his abilities to serve his constituents should he be elected. Costas was present at the annual Armenian Genocide commemoration on April 23, 2011.

	Peter Kent (Conservative) Thornhill The Hon. Peter Kent, is a former journalist, who was elected as the Member of Parliament for Thornhill during the 2008 elections. Currently holding the post of Minister of the Environment, Peter has been an important figure in Canada’s Cabinet ministry. Peter has been present at many of the Armenian community’s events and been a reliable friend.

	Julian Fantino (Conservative) Vaughan Julian Fantino has been the MP in Vaughan for since November 2010, but his name is no stranger to the people of Ontario and the GTA, having previously served the public as Commissioner of the Ontario Provincial Police and Toronto’s Chief of Police. Despite his short time in office, he has already been appointed to the Cabinet, as Minister of State for Seniors.

	Jim Flaherty (Conservative) Whitby-Oshawa Following a successful career in provincial politics, Jim has been the Member of Parliament for Whitby-Ajax since 2006, and has served as Minister of Finance throughout this time. Jim has been a friend of the Armenian community.