Craig Scott to represent NDP in Toronto-Danforth riding
Posted January 9, 2012 10:15 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
TORONTO, Ont. – The NDP have picked law professor Craig Scott to replace the late Jack Layton in the riding of Toronto-Danforth.
Scott, a professor at York University, announced his intention to seek the NDP nomination on December 9 and was considered to be one of the front runners.
After the win was announced, Scott told 680News he knows he has big shoes to fill but says he is hopeful for the future of the NDP in his new riding.
“I hope that the people of Toronto-Danforth, not just the NDP riding members, will remember Jack for the reasons that he should be remembered and will want this riding not just to stay NDP but to stay decisively NDP. I believe that’s what’s going to happen,” he said.
Five hopefuls had their names on the ballot at the nomination meeting, which took place Monday evening.
The top three candidates were environmental lawyer Justin Duncan, Layton’s former constituency assistant Claire Prashaw, and Scott.
All of the candidates vowed to carry on Layton’s work and know the Liberals will be fighting hard to get the seat back, after losing it in 2004.
Scott told 680News that no matter who won, the by-election battle will not be easy.
“The Liberals, in particular, will very much want this seat. We are assuming it will be hard fought,” he said.
Before the meeting, Prashaw told 680News she was working hard to jump ahead of her opponents.
“It might be a bit of a David and Goliath situation but if you know the story I like how that one ended,” she said.
The Layton family were on hand for the vote and MP Olivia Chow said she was confident any of the hopefuls would do a good job in her late husband’s riding.
“Those people stand ready to continue to build a strong Toronto-Danforth, a strong city and a strong country,” said Chow.
She added that the night will be an emotional one for her.
“It’s not one of sadness it’s one of excitement, of pride of a new beginning.”
Prime Minister Stephen Harper has yet to set a date for the by-election. A separate election will be held to chose who will take over as the leader of the NDP.
