Tuesday, November 5th, 2013 @ 11:31PM

Liberal hopefuls line up for federal nominations in Markham

Source: Markham Economist & Sun – 2013-11-05
By: Amanda Persico

With a federal election set for 2015, the candidates are coming forward for four federal ridings under a redrawn riding map: for Thornhill, Markham-Thornhill, Markham-Unionville and Markham-Stouffville.

Markham resident and former president of the Richmond Hill and Markham Chinese Business Association, Kenny Wan is throwing his hat in the ring.

A chartered accountant and Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee medal recipient, Mr. Wan held a press conference this morning announcing he is seeking the federal Liberal Party nomination in the new Markham-Unionville riding in the next federal election.

So what of the current Markham-Unionville MP?

Incumbent Liberal John McCallum said he will seek the nomination in the new Markham-Thornhill riding.

The riding, bounded by Steeles Avenue to the south, Hwy. 407 to the north, Bayview Avenue to the west and a branch of the Rouge River to the east, encompasses the majority of the Markham-Unionville riding represented by Mr. McCallum for more than a decade.

“Markham-Thornhill is a big chunk of my existing riding,” he said. “I lose Unionville, but I gain Thornhill.”

“Unionville folks will be in good hands,” Mr. McCallum added. “I know (Mr. Wan) well. He will make a good candidate.”

Meanwhile, former MP Lui Temelkovski announced he will also be seeking the Liberal nomination in Markham-Unionville.

Mr. Temelkovski was first elected to the riding of Oak Ridges-Markham in 2004 and was re-elected in 2006. He lost to Conservative Paul Calandra in the 2008 and again in 2011.

Mr. Temelkovski, who ran an insurance business in Markham, is a 2002 recipient of the Queen’s Golden Jubilee medal. As an MP he served as vice-chairperson of the health and international trade committee and as a member of the immigration committee. He championed a bill about rural mail delivery while he was in office.

York Region District School Board trustee and Markham resident Juanita Nathan is also seeking the Liberal nomination in Markham-Thornhill.

Ms Nathan, also a Diamond Jubilee medal recipient, serves on the board for Canadian Mental Health Association for York Region and South Simoce as well as the York Region Equity Council and the Canadian Tamil Congress.

A Whitchurch-Stouffville family physician, Dr. Jane Philpott, announced she is seeking the Liberal nod in the new Markham-Stouffville riding.

Dr. Philpott is the family medicine department chief at Markham Stouffville Hospital as well as an assistant professor for family and community medicine at the University of Toronto. She is also co-curator of TEDxStouffville and founded the Give a Day to World AIDS event which started in 2004 and has since raised more than $3.5 million for people affected by HIV.

“Medical practice has been great preparation for politics,” she said. “Every day, I hear about the concerns of Canadians and help find solutions for individuals and their families. I understand how their well-being is affected by the health of the community. I’m getting involved in formal politics so I can help build a healthier society.”

Recently, Markham city Councillor Logan Kanapathi announced his intention to seek the federal Liberal seat in the new Scarborough North riding.

Posted by: Editor-In-Chief
Categories: News