Grit keeps seat despite questions over residency
Oct 15, 2008 04:30 AM
Nicholas Keung
STAFF REPORTER
Liberal incumbent John McCallum was elected in Markham-Unionville last night, despite his opponents' dogged accusations of his keeping an Oakville residence and spending not enough time in the riding.
"I'd like to thank the people of Markham-Unionville for electing me a fourth time in a row. I'm grateful to the electorate and will work very hard for the people in the riding," said McCallum.
McCallum had been questioned by the other candidates about whether he actually lives in the riding – an issue that had been raised since the incumbent, a former banker, was first elected in 2000.
McCallum, 58, admitted he does have three homes but, as opposition finance critic, said he travels a lot and mostly split his time between Ottawa and Markham.
Joan McCallum, who campaigned for her son, was elated. "I'm happy for him."
During the campaign, McCallum attacked Conservative candidate Duncan Fletcher, an advertising executive, especially because of his party's "laissez-faire" attitude toward economics and politics.
The strategy seemed to have worked, as the Liberals picked up momentum toward the end of the campaign, with voters turning their attention to an anticipated recession in Canada.
"The problems are real and we need a plan," McCallum had said at a recent all-candidate debate, emphasizing that the Conservatives had done little to address job loss in Ontario's manufacturing sector.
In the midst of economic crisis, Fletcher had focused on the government record of the last two years. The NDP's Nadine Hawkins had preached her party's plans to control price gouging by cell phone companies, withdraw from the war in Afghanistan and rebuild Canada's immigration system.
http://www.thestar.com/article/517317
No comments:
Post a Comment