Wynne Makes ‘Her’Story
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ww The East York FREEDOM FOUND OBSERVER n Journalism refugee Page 4 Serving our community since 1972 Vol. 42, No. 1 www.torontoobserver.ca Friday, Feb. 1, 2013 n PROVINCIAL POLITICS Wynne makes ‘her’story By DILLON HILES and ERIN CASSIDY The Observer Now the hard part. For Kathleen Wynne, the hoopla around her election as Ontario Lib- eral leader and premier- designate is already giv- ing way to some harsh political realities. And at Wynne’s riding office on Eglinton Av- n KATHLEEN WYNNE enue, there are already signs that her Don Val- ley West staff and constituents are going to have to make some adjustments too, as they share their MPP with the rest of the province in a way they haven’t had to — until now. “I know that there are some extra resources that have been brought in,” said Kelly Baker, the premier-desig- nate’s press secretary, referring to the sudden uptick in hustle and bustle at the riding office, as constituents and Staff /// Observer others vie for their piece of the incoming premier. Wynne has served as a minister in Dalton McGuinty’s Liberal convention fails to make the grade cabinet in four separate portfolios since 2006: education, East Yorker Erin Crawford (left) joined teaching colleagues Doreen Sacchett (centre) and transportation, municipal affairs and housing, and aborig- Nicole Bleau at Allan Gardens on Saturday, as thousands of teachers and other union- inal affairs. members gathered to march on the Liberals’ provincial leadership convention at Maple But despite ministerial responsibilities, she’s main- Leaf Gardens. tained enough of a personal touch to ensure local voter satisfaction — and election with true majorities since 2003 (even when then-Conservative party leader John Tory parachuted into the riding in 2007, thinking Wynne’s n CITY POLITICS seat was ripe for picking). But that was before Wynne won her governing provin- cial party’s leadership on Saturday, automatically becom- ing the premier-in-waiting. Already, her Queen’s Park office has increased security and press secretary Baker Ford decision ‘surprises’ Davis confirmed that she’ll soon have personal bodyguards from the OPP. East York councillors ‘We can all ‘It’s hard to As for changes in constituency work, Baker said, “I now focus our believe (Ford) think that’s a long-term discussion. I think it’s too early Davis and Parker attention on can continue to say.” running the to get A staffer at Wynne’s 795 Eglinton Ave. E. office put it have mixed reactions more bluntly. city.’ support.’ “We’re in the dark,” he said, when asked what might be to mayor’s win in court ~ John Parker ~ Janet Davis in the offing at the constituency level — considering that the member of provincial parliament is about to become By ERIN CASSIDY But on Jan. 25, a panel of three he’s glad Ford will remain in office. the premier of the province. The Observer judges agreed with Ford’s lawyers, and “Those of us who work in this build- Baker said no date has been set for Wynne’s official as- overturned the lower court ruling. ing can be happy that we will be spared cension. But she conceded that it’s almost certain Wynne East York’s delegation to city hall is In East York, where voters strongly the agony of perusing the questions will take her oath of office before the legislature resumes divided on the reprieve granted to Rob supported Ford’s opponent George that were occupying people’s minds: sitting, and Wynne has said that will be on Feb. 19. Ford’s mayoralty. But the councillors Smitherman in the 2010 mayoral race, who would be appointed; who would Then the incoming premier faces an uphill battle to stay are agreed that it’s time to move on. local councillors had strong feelings be a candidate,” he said. “We can all premier. She inherits a minority government. Her party Ford had been appealing a fall court about Ford’s victory. now focus our attention on running the has been trailing both the Conservatives and the New order that found him in conflict of in- Ward 31/Beaches-East York Council- city and avoid being distracted.” Democrats in the polls. Almost half of her caucus sup- terest for the overlap between his mu- lor Janet Davis said she was surprised. Davis agreed, but noted that council ported other leadership candidates. nicipal dealings and his football chari- “It’s hard to believe he can continue had worked well together even while And the Liberals have alienated some traditional sup- ty. Losing the appeal would have meant to get support unless council can get Ford’s future was doubtful. porters, like public school teachers who are angry about his removal from office, prompting city behind him,” Davis added. Ward 29/Toronto-Danforth council- n See WYNNE, page 5 councillors to either call a byelection On the other hand, Ward 26/Don Val- lor Mary Fragedakis was unavailable or choose a replacement. ley West Councillor John Parker said for comment. Agency serves up nutritious food, social interaction 2 NEWS The East York Observer /// Friday, Feb. 1, 2013 POLICE WHAS T’ BRIEFS UP IN E.Y. TCDSB presents new comedy The Toronto Catholic District School Board is n Jackson presenting “Dear- ly Beloved,” a comedy produced ‘Dangerous’ and performed by suspect sought TCDSB staff and written by Jessie in shooting Jones, Nicholas Hope and Jamie Toronto Police are Wooten. Show- searching for a time is 7:30 man believed to p.m. this coming be responsible for Thursday through the Jan. 24 shoot- Saturday, Feb. ing that left an- 7-9, in the the- other man fight- atre at St. Patrick ing for his life. Catholic Second- The shooting ary School, 49 took place in the Theresa Spohn /// Observer Feldstead Ave. Greenwood and Obituary writer Sandra Martin, shown with professor Ted Barris, spoke to East York college Tickets are $20. Danforth avenues students about her new book, Working the Dead Beat: 50 Lives That Changed Canada. For more informa- area. tion please visit It is alleged that www.tcdsb.org/ a man got into staffarts a verbal dispute with a group of Tales from the ‘Dead Beat’ other men, then left the scene By THERESA SPOHN thing catching,” she said. exacting science when accura- Martin described how Wilson Hockey history and returned The Observer She acknowledged how cy is paramount and deadlines helped give meaning to Cana- comes to life later that evening even her colleagues consider are tight. da’s newly minted Charter of with a handgun. The ability to celebrate life her role the “Siberia of jour- “Obituaries are usually writ- Rights and Freedoms. Wilson at local library He shot one of in the face of death takes a nalism.” ten under extreme deadline argued for a woman’s right to the other men special talent. But there are other forces in pressure,” Martin said. “They choose, for spousal abuse as a Speakers will in the back. The Sandra Martin, obituary play generating such strong re- are the final word on some- defence for manslaughter and revisit a storied victim was rushed writer for the Globe and Mail, sponses to this writer. body’s life. So you have to get for a refugee claimant’s right chapter of East to hospital with explained how she practises “They think of me as a sym- it right. There are no follow- to be heard. Martin did not York and Canadi- life-threatening her craft in a recent talk to bol of death,” she said. “I think ups.” shy away from describing the an hockey history injuries. journalism students at Cen- we are a little afraid of death As a journalist, she said she jurist’s stubborn and difficult on Wednesday, 19-year-old Ja- tennial College’s East York and as a society we are very is not writing eulogies for the streak. Feb. 13. Alan Red- vell Jackson is campus. Martin discussed afraid of death.” recently departed. Rather, she Throughout her career as way will lecture described as her book Working the Dead Martin is clear about the rea- believes she has an obligation an obituary writer, Martin has on the East York black with a light Beat: 50 Lives That Changed son for her work. to report the truth as she sees it. dealt with grieving relatives Lyndhurst Hockey complexion, Canada. “The real purpose of obitu- “That means including and the daunting task of de- Team at the S. 5’6” and 150 Martin started by noting aries is to construct a narrative the quirks as well as the tri- scribing complete lives in an Walter Stewart pounds. Jackson how her occupation can make about people’s lives in the con- umphs; the faults as well as the impossibly short space. But Library, 170 Me- should be con- others uneasy. text of their time,” she said. achievements,” Martin said her dedication to the craft has morial Park Ave., sidered armed “I have come to accept that “They are also vibrant build- For example, when writ- never waivered. beginning at 2 and dangerous. people take a step back when ing blocks of a country’s social ing about Bertha Wilson, the “I want my subjects to p.m. Also speak- Anyone with they hear what I do for a liv- and cultural history.” first woman appointed to the breathe one more time on the ing will be Pat information re- ing, as though I have some- History-making can be an Supreme Court of Canada, page,” she said.