SCARBOROUGH-ROUGE PARK: Federal

candidates talk Toronto issues, refugee crisis and

dementia
Scarborough Mirror
Oct 10, 2015

Scarborough-Rouge Park
makes its debut this election. The new riding has received lots of press already, after
its first Conservative candidate, Jerry Bance, was ousted by the pee-gate scandal. It
is bordered by Lake Ontario to the south, Steeles Avenue to the north, Scarborough
Pickering Townline to the east and Neilson Road and Morningside Avenue to the west.
GARY ANANDASANGAREE, Liberal
3600 Ellesmere Rd. Unit 3

Tel: 416-477-7153
Email: info@voteforgary.ca
Website: www.voteforgary.ca
1. What are your priorities for Toronto in this campaign and how will you fight for the
citys needs, if elected?
Every dollar we spend on public infrastructure grows our economy, creates jobs and
strengthens our cities. We believe government has a responsibility to act decisively
and for the public good. Canadas economic growth was made possible by building
ambitiously. We must do so again if we are to transform our transit and transportation
systems, create more liveable communities and ensure that we adapt to a changing
climate.
2. With humanitarian crises continuing across the globe, what role should Canada play
in assisting potential refugees to find their better future?
Canada must do more to help those in need. That is why a Liberal government will
expand Canadas intake to 25,000 refugees through immediate, direct sponsorship.
We will invest an additional $100 million this year to increase without reducing
standards refugee processing, sponsorship and settlement services in Canada. We
are committed to providing an immediate $100 million new contribution to the UNHCR
to support the critical relief activities in the current Syrian crisis.
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?
We have long called for federal leadership to establish a pan-Canadian to address
Alzheimers disease and other forms of dementia. A Liberal government will provide

leadership for real action on a pan-Canadian strategy. We will repair the federal
governments relationship with the provinces and ensure collaboration with our
partners. By investing in research and prevention we can delay onset for as long as
possible so Canadians can live their life to the fullest.
4. Tell us about yourself.
I have lived, worked, volunteered and established a law practice in Scarborough. Im
proud to have contributed extensively to youth development, strengthening economic
partnership and community building through local boards and organizations.
Internationally, Im a human rights activist and have appeared many times before the
United Nations. I have been awarded the Queens Golden and Diamond Jubilee
medals. I believe in making a real, positive difference in Scarborough-Rouge Park that
makes Canada stronger.
LESLYN LEWIS, Conservative
371 Old Kingston Rd. Unit 4
Tel: 416-283-2726
Email: vote@leslynlewis.ca
Website: http://leslynlewis.conservative.ca
1. What are your priorities for Toronto in this campaign and how will you fight for the
citys needs, if elected?
If elected, my goal is to give the same committed and high-quality representation to
Scarborough-Rouge Park and Toronto as I am known for as a lawyer and university
instructor. My priorities for Scarborough-Rouge Park and Toronto are: Job creation and
maintenance, youth employment and training, senior assistance, economic stability

and environmental sustainability.

2. With humanitarian crises continuing across the globe, what role should Canada play
in assisting potential refugees to find their better future?
Canada continues to play a significant global humanitarian role. We have taken in
approximately 2,500 Syrian refugees and 20,000 refugees from Iraq. Moreover,
Stephen Harper has committed to allowing 10,000 more Middle East refugees into the
country over the next four years. Our government also understands that this crisis
requires new measures that will speed up the processing of refugees, including
devoting extra staff to the crisis.
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?
My father, who recently passed away, lived with dementia; and I cared for him during
many of the last few years of his life. I truly understand the urgency of this troubling
and increasing health crisis. I support our federal government, provinces and
individuals coming together to develop national strategies and programs to address it. I
therefore commend our government and the Alzheimer Society of Canada for the
Dementia Friends Initiative, launched this year.
4. Tell us about yourself.
I am a committed mother, lawyer, educator and community advocate. I have served the
community for over 15 years as a lawyer and advocate. I am an instructor at Osgoode
Hall Law School. I have extensive community service experience, including the United
Nations, Womens Legal Action Fund and Ontario Round Table on the Environment
and the Economy. I love my country, Canada, and would be honoured to serve as a

member of parliament.
KM SHANTHIKUMAR, New Democrat
1275 Morningside Ave. Unit 9
Tel: 416-613-3605
Email: km.shanthikumar@ndp.ca
Website: www.kmshanthikumar.ndp.ca
1. What are your priorities for Toronto in this campaign and how will you fight for the
citys needs, if elected?
Get Toronto recognized as a major conduit for business and people. Toronto needs
federal recognition to ensure that the funding relationship is more equitable to the
reality of Torontos role a major urban centre. Our transportation, immigration and
housing needs supersedes that of all other big cities. Homelessness is a big city
problem that needs greater attention and the other levels of government need to
recognize this and assist Toronto with additional housing and homeless supports to
help end homelessness.
2. With humanitarian crises continuing across the globe, what role should Canada play
in assisting potential refugees to find their better future?
The NDP is proposing immediate assistance and a more expedited approach to help
re-settle those in need. We will screen and assess the neediest and help a
predetermined number of refugees to resettle in Canada. Canadians are kind,
compassionate and we want to help. The NDP will act responsibly to protect Canadas
interest and to help those in need.
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 NDP is proposing a $40 million strategy to deal with Alzheimer and dementia. We
will focus on screening, early diagnosis and treatment to slow the advance of this
devastating health condition. We believe our seniors deserves better. We will
implement faster access to health care professionals and greater supports for families.
4. Tell us about yourself.
Friends, neighbours and fellow residents of Scarborough-Rouge Park. Yes, fellow
residents, I am the ONLY candidate from the three main parties, living in the riding. I
have lived here, my children went to school here and I still call this area home. I have
been a member of this community for almost 30 years. I started my cricket academy
here in Malvern, my first church was here on Morningview Trail and my family and
friends still live here. I am a husband, father, grandfather, a pastor and I work as a
manager with a telecommunications company to support my family. I have played
professional cricket in Sri Lanka, England, Bahrain and also for team Canada. I have
also coached Canadas national under 15 and under 19 junior cricket teams.
CALVIN WINTER, Green
Tel: 647-875-3647
Email: calvin.winter@greenparty.ca
Website: www.votewinter.ca
1. What are your priorities for Toronto in this campaign and how will you fight for the
citys needs, if elected?
Past governments have allowed critical Toronto infrastructure to crumble. The gap
between the infrastructure funding our cities like Toronto need, and the funding they

receive, is reaching crisis levels Canadas infrastructure deficit is estimated to be

upwards of $350 billion. As your MP I will work to close this gap by committing $6.4
billion per year, one point of the GST, to municipal infrastructure creating good local
jobs and a building vibrant, safe and livable Toronto.
2. With humanitarian crises continuing across the globe, what role should Canada play
in assisting potential refugees to find their better future?
Canada needs to play a leadership role, as we have done in the past, in the current
refuge crisis. Canada has turned its back both on the refugees themselves but also on
our European allies who have no choice but to bear the burden of helping those
arriving to their doorstep in droves. The government needs to stop trumpeting the
promises that they have made and actually start putting real effort into fulfilling those
promises, and then doing more. If we do not act quickly this crisis could easily become
a catastrophe.
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?
Yes, I would support a National Dementia Strategy, which is part of the Green Party
platform as a component of our National Seniors Strategy. Our National Dementia
Strategy includes more long-term care beds in neighbourhood facilities and improved
supports for family members. At a time when our health-care system needs more help
than ever, the Conservatives have cut $36 billion in funding, leaving our health system
in disarray and the provinces forced to fill the funding gap.
4. Tell us about yourself.
Calvin Winter is a new media specialist, web developer and artist who lives and works

in Scarborough, Ontario. A lifetime resident of the former municipality within Toronto,

Calvin has lived in various parts of Scarborough since his birth. In 2014, he graduated
from Ryerson University with a BFA specializing in new media. Calvin currently lives
with his fiance Simone in Agincourt and will be moving with her to the ScarboroughRouge Park neighbourhood of West Hill this fall.
Posted by Thavam