SCARBOROUGH NORTH: Candidates

answer our questions on the issues

Scarborough Mirror
Oct 10, 2015

Scarborough North makes its debut this election. The new riding was created from
parts of Scarborough-Rouge River and Scarborough-Agincourt. The former riding of
Scarborough-Rouge River, which makes up most of Scarborough North, was
dissolved. Incumbent Scarborough-Rouge River MP and New Democrat Rathika
Sitsabaiesan said she hopes to earn her second term in Ottawa as representative for
Scarborough North. Had the riding existed last election, it would have gone to the New
Democrats, with the Conservatives a close second, and the Liberals not far behind.

SHAUN CHEN, Liberal

5 Glen Watford Dr.

Tel: 416-321-2436
Email: info@shaunchen.ca
Website: www.shaunchen.liberal.ca
1. What are your priorities for Toronto in this campaign and how will you fight for the
citys needs, if elected?
Toronto needs a federal government that will provide sustained and flexible funding. I
fully support an additional $60 billion in federal infrastructure investment, which will
help renew and build public transit, affordable housing, seniors facilities, child-care
spaces and green initiatives. Under the Liberal plan, funding for public transit will
quadruple over the next decade, allowing projects like the Scarborough subway to be
built. I will fight for our fair share as Canadas largest city.
2. With humanitarian crises continuing across the globe, what role should Canada play
in assisting potential refugees to find their better future?
Canada has historically played an important humanitarian role, whether it was
accepting Ugandan refugees in the early 1970s under Pierre Trudeau, or welcoming
tens of thousands of boat people in 1979 to 1980 under Joe Clark. Like many
Canadians, I have been touched by the loss of innocent lives throughout the Syrian
refugee crisis. Canada can and must do more, through better refugee processing and
settlement services, as well as critical relief in the region.
3. Canada is expected to see a dramatic increase in dementia cases in coming years.
Would you support a national strategy on dealing with this? What do you believe must
happen to address the issue?
As someone who has witnessed a grandparent suffer from dementia, I am fully
committed to advocating for a national strategy to combat Alzheimers and other forms

of dementia, as well as providing care for those who need it. By collaborating with
provinces, the federal government can play a leadership role to support research and
prevention. Furthermore, a Liberal government will invest $20 billion in social
infrastructure, including the refurbishing and building of new seniors facilities.
4. Tell us about yourself.
Public service has always been a part of my life. Growing up in Scarborough, I
volunteered at the Scarborough Hospital and chaired the Scarborough Youth Council. I
was first elected as TDSB trustee in 2006, then served as vice-chair for three years
before becoming chair in 2014, when I led the board to a balanced $3-billion budget
and increased accountability and transparency. As MP for Scarborough North, I will
continue to fight for positive change.
ELENI MACDONALD, Green
Tel: 647-981-4790
Email: eleni.macdonald@greenparty.ca
Website: www.macdonald.greenparty.ca
1. What are your priorities for Toronto in this campaign and how will you fight for the
citys needs, if elected?
Infrastructure development, which includes social housing, and poverty reduction are
crucial issues within and around the City of Toronto. If elected I will fight to increase
federal funding for municipal infrastructure projects, such as transit. I will also fight
alongside other Green MPs for a Guaranteed Liveable Income and National
Pharmacare program to help support those on the margins of society.
2. With humanitarian crises continuing across the globe, what role should Canada play
in assisting potential refugees to find their better future?

Greens support an increase in refugee settlement to 25,000 people, while developing

safeguards to minimize the entry of those with ill intentions. While the current focus is
the refugee crisis in Europe, our immigration system has been whittled away to a
hollow shell of what it once was. We must regain international standing as a welcoming
democratic nation by refocusing our efforts to support family unification and to
streamline processes to facilitate efficient entry.
3. Canada is expected to see a dramatic increase in dementia cases in coming years.
Would you support a national strategy on dealing with this? What do you believe must
happen to address the issue?
The Green Party and I both support the development of a National Dementia Strategy
to reduce the impact of disability and identify ways to improve services and supports
for Canadians and their care partners who are living with dementia. To address the
issue, systemic change must occur. Supporting those living with dementia requires
more flexible regulations for caregivers, better and more accessible health-care
services and increased spending for social programming.
4. Tell us about yourself.
I am a passionate young woman with a desire to help people. Im running in this
election because I believe that for democracy to flourish, an MP must be truly
representative of the people. I dont see that very often in politics, and am sick of
politicians attacking one another. I want to sit down with people, learn from them and
get things done. The Green Party in its refusal to whip votes has proven itself to be
democratic and I am proud to run with them.
RAVINDER MALHI, Conservative
PO Box 152, 4865 Sheppard Ave. E. Unit 6

Tel: 647-608-7678
Email: info@ravindermalhi.ca
Website: www.ravindermalhi.ca
1. What are your priorities for Toronto in this campaign and how will you fight for the
citys needs, if elected?
My priority is Scarborough North and bringing its voice to Ottawa. I have been listening
to families and their issues that matter most to them because I believe in being a part
of the problem solving process. The top issues that I will be focussed on are what I
hear at the doors; people want lower the taxes and more money in the pockets of
Canadian families, they want to have, and continue to grow, well-paying jobs, better
transportation, help for parents managing the costs of child care and initiatives and
legislation that helps keep our communities safe.
2. With humanitarian crises continuing across the globe, what role should Canada play
in assisting potential refugees to find their better future?
Canada has one of the most generous per capita immigration and refugee
resettlement programs in the world. In fact, Canada resettles more than one in 10
refugees world-wide. Prime Minister Harper has set a target for Canada to accept
23,000 Iraqis refugees and 11,300 Syrians. Of that number, Canada has already
resettled nearly 22,000 Iraqis and 2,300 Syrians. The Prime Minister also recently
announced that a Conservative government would add an additional 10,000
persecuted ethnic and religious minorities from the region.
3. Canada is expected to see a dramatic increase in dementia cases in coming years.
Would you support a national strategy on dealing with this? What do you believe must
happen to address the issue?

I believe the support of older Canadians, their health and well-being are a priority.
Economic Action Plan 2015 continues our record of strong support of seniors,
including measures like the establishment of the Canadian Centre for Aging and Brain
Health Innovation, to help discover new tools to help seniors with aging and brainrelated issues. Under the proven leadership of our Prime Minister Stephen Harper, I
look forward to continuing support for the seniors of Scarborough North.
4. Tell us about yourself.
I am an engaged community member with a strong passion and determination to do
right by the people of Scarborough North. I have been able to understand the
strengths and weaknesses, allowing me to focus in a positive direction. With my
Career College I have helped a lot of students as well as it has been a great source for
supporting numerous single mothers becoming entrepreneurs. Much like Prime
Minister Steven Harper, I also share a vision of a strong, united and a welcoming
Canada.
RATHIKA SITSABAIESAN, New Democrat
5633 Finch Ave. E. Suite 7-8
Tel: 647-479-9628
Email: rathika.sitsabaiesan@ndp.ca
Website: www.rathikasitsabaiesan.ndp.ca
1. What are your priorities for Toronto in this campaign and how will you fight for the
citys needs, if elected?
Scarborough is my priority. It is also my home. And this community deserves more,
much more, than it has been getting after nearly 10 years of Stephen Harper and the
Conservatives. It deserves secure, well-paying jobs, a better transit system, better

roads. Our children and our seniors deserve to live with dignity and not in poverty.
Working with community partners and local residents is how I fight for what this city
needs.
2. With humanitarian crises continuing across the globe, what role should Canada play
in assisting potential refugees to find their better future?
Canadas reputation as a positive agent of change in global conflict has suffered
greatly over the past 10 years. We can reverse this trend. We need to stop hiding
behind a policy of what amounts to religious discrimination, or unnecessary
bureaucracy. The NDP has a concrete plan to bring 10,000 refugees to Canada by the
end of the year, and 9,000 a year moving forward. We cannot stand by and do nothing
we owe it to the world, and to our own people, to behave as Canadians should.
3. Canada is expected to see a dramatic increase in dementia cases in coming years.
Would you support a national strategy on dealing with this? What do you believe must
happen to address the issue?
An NDP government will invest $40 million to create a national Alzheimers and
Dementia strategy. Updating the way we deliver health care is part of being a
responsible and proactive government. We will support screening, early diagnosis and
treatment. Improving resources for newly diagnosed patients and their families, and
funding research in partnership with provincial governments, researchers and the
Alzheimer Society will ensure a sustainable and forward-looking solution exists for
Canadians and their loved ones.
4. Tell us about yourself.
Im a local resident with 15 years of experience as an activist. I have served as the MP
for Scarborough-Rouge River since 2011, but Ive been organizing my community in

the fight for equity and equal access since I was seven years old. Im very excited to
be talking with more and more of my fellow residents every day, who feel the same
way I do about the NDPs concrete plan for change.
Posted by Thavam