Byelection called for former Layton riding
Toronto-danforth seat vote set for March 12
Prime Minister Stephen Harper has called a byelection for the riding formerly held by late NDP leader Jack Layton. The byelection for the Toronto-danforth seat will take place on March 12, less than two weeks before the NDP’S leadership convention on March 24.
Layton won the riding in Toronto’s east end in 2004 and held it until his death last Aug. 22. Craig Scott, a 49-year-old Osgoode Hall law professor, will seek to retain the seat for the New Democrats.
The New Democrats are taking nothing for granted in this race, said Chantal Vallerand, the party’s national director.
“We believe that we have a strong candidate, but we know that other guys also want this riding so we’re working hard at it,” Vallerand said.
The NDP have had a campaign office set up since early January, Vallerand said, and have already begun canvassing.
“Craig Scott has been living in the riding for 20 years, working on local issues and housing and the environment,” Vallerand said.
“We’re really excited that (the byelection) has finally been called and we’re ready to go.”
Scott, who was out canvassing when Postmedia News tried to reach him after the Sunday announce- ment, took his statements to the social-networking website Twitter.
“NDP is ready to go. Been canvassing for weeks now to tremendous response!” he wrote.
NDP leadership contender Brian Topp voiced his support for Scott on Twitter shortly after the announcement.
“Best of luck to @Craigscottndp in Danforth! He’s going to be a great MP!” Topp wrote.
The Conservative candidate in the riding is Andrew Keyes, a Toronto communications consultant nominated by party members on Jan. 27.
“Governments do not win byelections. As this is a traditional Liberal seat, it’s theirs to lose,” said Fred Delorey, the director of communications for the Conservative party, in an interview with Postmedia News.
Before 2004, Liberal backbencher Dennis Mills held the riding for 16 years.
The Liberals have not yet selected a candidate for the byelection.
So far, two little-known Liberal contenders have come forward to seek the nod: Grant Gordon, who runs an advertising and design firm, and Greek-canadian journalist Trifon Haitas.