Independent Renewal candidates, 2003 Ontario provincial election
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Communist Party of Canada - Marxist-Leninist ran ten candidates in the 2003 Ontario provincial election. They did not use the CPC-ML name, but instead campaigned as "Independent Renewal" candidates. Relevant information about these candidates may be found on this page.
The "Independent Renewal" name refers to the fact that former CPC-ML leader Hardial Bains made a public call for grass-roots Canadian democratic renewal in the early 1990s. The CPC-ML initially planned to re-register with Elections Canada as the Canadian Party of Renewal in 1993, and there was an unregistered Ontario Renewal Party affiliated with the CPC-ML in the 1995 provincial election.
Many of these candidates have campaigned federally for the CPC-ML. It may be noted that there is no provincial wing of the CPC-ML recognized by Elections Ontario. Unless otherwise noted, all federal candidacies mentioned below occurred under the formal auspices of the CPC-ML.
[edit] Frank Chilelli (Bramalea—Gore—Malton—Springdale)
Chilelli received 868 votes, the highest total of any Independent Renewal candidate in 2003. He finished fifth against Liberal candidate Kuldip Singh Kular.
[edit] Janice Murray (Etobicoke—Lakeshore)
A longtime resident of Etobicoke—Lakeshore, and a bindery operator in the print industry. Called for voters to elect a woman worker to the legislature. Ancestors arrived from Scotland to Bruce County in the 1860s, and to northern British Columbia in the 1920s. Murray grew up in British Columbia, and was active in the women's and anti-war movements. Joined the CPC-ML in 1972. A spokesperson of the Etobicoke Committee to Vote No during the Charlottetown Accord referendum in 1992. A founding member of the Women's Association of Etobicoke and Toronto Women's Forum. Supported continued government ownership of industry, in 2002 testimony before a standing committee of the Ontario legislature. Chief financial officer in 2003 was Dagmar Sullivan, another regular CPC-ML candidate. Received 225 votes, finishing sixth of six candidates. The winner was Laurel Broten of the Ontario Liberal Party.
- Canadian federal election, 1993, Etobicoke Centre, 53 votes, eighth out of nine candidates (winner: Allan Rock, Liberal)
- Canadian federal election, 1997, Etobicoke Centre, 189 votes, sixth of six candidates (winner: Allan Rock, Liberal)
- Ontario general election, 1999, Etobicoke—Lakeshore, 299 votes, finishing sixth of six candidates (winner: Morley Kells, Progressive Conservative).
- Canadian federal election, 2000, Etobicoke—Lakeshore, 116 votes, sixth of seven candidates (winner: Jean Augustine, Liberal)
- Canadian federal election, 2004, Etobicoke—Lakeshore, 189 votes (winner: Jean Augustine, Liberal)
[edit] Kelly Greenaway (Hamilton East)
Little information available. Chief financial officer in 2003 was Margaret Villamizar, also affiliated with the CPC-ML. Received 378 votes, finishing sixth of seven candidates. The winner was Dominic Agostino of the Ontario Liberal Party.
[edit] Jamila Ghaddar (Hamilton West)
Ghaddar received 303 votes, finishing sixth against Liberal Judy Marsales. See her entry here for more information.
[edit] Julian Ichim (Kitchener—Waterloo)
Ichim is a former University of Waterloo student. Active with the Kitchener Waterloo Youth Collective, he achieved national notoriety in the 2000 federal election by splashing Canadian Alliance leader Stockwell Day with chocolate milk at a campaign stop in Kitchener. He said he did this to protest the anti-labour, homophobic and anti-immigrant policies of the Alliance. Also, he accused the Alliance of trying to privatize health care and cut back on university funding. In 2002 he ran for Vice-President of Student Issues at the University of Waterloo. That year he was also arrested for protesting gentrification policies in Kitchener. His chief financial officer in 2003 was Enver Villamizar, another Independent Renewal candidate. Locally, he is well known for his involvement in The Spot, a drop-in centre in Kitchener run by youth, for youth. He is also involved in the Canadian Network for Cuba. Received 153 votes, finishing seventh of seven candidates. The winner was Elizabeth Witmer of the Progressive Conservative Party.
Ironically, Julian Ichim is the brother of Thomas Ichim, who ran for the Conservative Party of Canada in the 2004 federal election and also serves in the Canadian military.
Other candidacies:
- Ontario general election, 1999, Kitchener Centre, 107 votes, seventh out of seven candidates (winner: Wayne Wettlaufer, Progressive Conservative)
[edit] Pierre Chenier (Mississauga East)
A longtime member of the CPC-ML. Has sought political office many times, in Ontario and Quebec. Secretary of the Workers's Centre of Communist Party of Canada (Marxist-Leninist). A printer, and a frequently contributor to the CPC-ML newsletter. The highlight of his political career may have occurred in the 2004 federal election, when the first poll to report showed him with a lead over all other candidates. This happened at poll #73C where he received 27 votes. This was likely an error, because the Liberal candidate had won 0 votes. In 2003, he received 256 votes, finishing sixth of six candidates. The winner was Peter Fonseca of the Ontario Liberal Party.
Other candidacies:
- Canadian federal election, 1979, Hochelaga—Maisonneuve, 92 votes, ninth of ten candidates (winner: Serge Joyal, Liberal)
- Quebec provincial by-election, November 14, 1979, Maisonneuve, 35 votes, sixth of six candidates (winner: Georges Lalande, Liberal). Chenier appeared on the ballot as an independent.
- Canadian federal election, 1980, Hochelaga—Maisonneuve, 92 votes, eighth of nine candidates [tie] (winner: Serge Joyal, Liberal)
- Quebec general election, 1981, Maisonneuve, 60 votes, fifth of six candidates (winner: Louise Harel, Parti Québécois)
- Canadian federal election, 1988, St. Henri—Westmount, 184 votes, seventh of nine candidates (winner: David Berger, Liberal). Chenier ran as an independent candidate, as the CPC-ML had been de-registered at this stage.
- Canadian federal election, 1993, Beaches—Woodbine, 96 votes, eleventh of eleven candidates (winner: Maria Minna, Liberal)
- Canadian federal election, 1997, Parkdale—High Park, 311 votes, seventh of eight candidates (winner: Sarmite Bulte, Liberal)
- Ontario general election, 1999, Mississauga East, 469 votes, fourth out of five candidates (winner: Carl DeFaria, Progressive Conservative)
- Canadian federal election, 2000, Mississauga East, 227 votes, fifth of five candidates (winner: Albina Guarnieri, Liberal)
- Canadian federal election, 2004, Mississauga East—Cooksville, 154 votes (winner: Albina Guarnieri, Liberal)
[edit] Philip Fernandez (Toronto Centre—Rosedale)
Has lived in Canada for over thirty years. Ontario Spokesperson of the People's Front, a social activist organization. Joined the CPC-ML in 1975, to protest changes to the immigration act by the government of Pierre Trudeau. Active in anti-racist and pro-Palestinian causes. Organized the Canada for Peace petition in 2003 to oppose the invasion of Iraq. Also opposes several provisions of C-36, Canada's anti-terrorism act. Has criticized Canada's military actions in Yugoslavia, Haiti and Afghanistan. Was part of an official delegation to North Korea in 2002. Lists his occupations as teacher literacy worker, and adult educator. Financial officer in 2003 was Stephen Rutchinski. Received 324 votes, finishing fifth out of six candidates. The winner was George Smitherman of the Ontario Liberal Party.
- Canadian federal election, 1997, Bramalea—Gore—Malton, 279 votes, fifth of five candidates (winner: Gurbax Singh Malhi, Liberal)
- Ontario general election, 1999, St. Paul's, 194 votes, fifth out of seven candidates (winner: Michael Bryant, Ontario Liberal Party)
- Canadian federal election, 2000, Toronto Centre—Rosedale, 116 votes, ninth of nine candidates (winner: Bill Graham, Liberal)
- Canadian federal election, 2004, Toronto Centre, 65 votes, seventh of eight candidates (winner: Bill Graham, Liberal)
[edit] Nick Lin (Trinity—Spadina)
Lin received 256 votes (0.63%), finishing sixth against New Democratic Party incumbent Rosario Marchese.
[edit] Saroj Bains (Windsor—St. Clair)
Bains received 253 votes, finishing fifth in a field of five candidates. The winner was Dwight Duncan of the Ontario Liberal Party. See her entry here for more information.
[edit] Enver Villamizar (Windsor West)
Villamizar received 386 votes (1.10%), finishing fifth against Liberal incumbent Sandra Pupatello. See his entry here for more information.
