Linda Jackson and The Toronto Star

"It is not against Italian-Canadian"

Linda Jackson values the Toronto Star's endorsement and boils over when forced to acknowledge that her mother Lorna, mayor of Vaughan for more than 20 years, faced protests for her connections to the developers' world. The election that could define a new administrative profile for the City above Toronto is closer than ever, but Jackson seems torn between two irreconcilable inclinations: she doesn't condemn the Star but doesn't want to lose the Italian-Canadian vote. She's asking for a change in Vaughan but can't turn away from Di Biase's projects.
The Toronto Star picked you as its favourite candidate in the Vaughan election. Do you think that having the support of a big newspaper like the Star will be important?
"I think it's important, but I think that having that support of the community I represent is even more important."
You probably know that the Italian-Canadian community is upset with the Star. Some people think its editorials are controversial, at least, and some say they're discriminatory. Do you have the same feeling?
"It's unfortunate that they feel that way, but I don't want to talk about the Star and the comments within the community. I think it would be unproductive."

Do you share the Star's comments?
"Let me tell you this. Italians are passionate people. I live in Woodbridge; my brother is married to an Italian and my father is engaged to an Italian. I understand their passion for the community because I grew up with them and I married one, so I understand what they say but I think it's important to go back and focus on the campaign. I think it's difficult but I totally understand where they're coming from, because I grew up in the community."
So your opinion of Italians is different from the Star's.
"I love the Italian community. I've chosen to live in Woodbridge, and most of my friends are Italian."

So what did you feel when the newspaper that is against Italians picked you?
"I don't think they're against. I don't feel that way."

One month ago when we met for the first time you told me there was a lack of transparency in Vaughan and you tried to focus on this issue throughout your campaign. Now somebody thinks this is your only issue. Do you have other projects for Vaughan?
"All the issues are being clouded. I think that there's a lot of garbage going on in the community and it's preventing my real message from getting out. We're not talking about the issues that truly affect the city of Vaughan because we have to constantly answer questions concerning other issues. My platform is on my Web page in English and in Italian, with my piece on integrity. But I haven't been able to get that message out because we've been in controversy and I think it's really unfortunate."
"I believe that the tax issue is fundamental. It's priority number one for our voters. Property assessments have skyrocketed over the past years, and property taxes went up accordingly. There are seniors forced to sell their homes because they can't afford to pay the property tax."

Are these taxes really needed for the City of Vaughan?
"This issue is not limited to Vaughan; it concerns the whole York Region. We should let Queen's Park hear our voices and freeze the assessments. I believe that this can be done over a couple of years. Then there are the taxes that we transfer to the City of Toronto, some $30 million a year: this mechanism should be stopped, but the issue must be tackled at the provincial level, and this, too, applies to the whole York Region. We should act as a team, working together at solving these problems. However, many people seem to have forgotten how to work together."

Mayor Di Biase says that Vaughan already is one of the best cities in Ontario. How could you improve it further?
"This level was not achieved thanks to Di Biase alone, but to the Council as a whole, including me. For instance, it's as if we had baked an exquisite cake, and now someone should put the icing on it. The city is very good, but there is margin for improvement."

What is your recipe?
"We need fresh ideas, while not forgetting priorities like the hospital: we need partners for that project, as we can't make it alone."

You and Di Biase seem to have similar projects, maybe the difference is in the means.
"Perhaps we have similar ideas. However, I'm going further. I ask for the establishment of an integrity commissioner. This election was marred by scandals: we need someone to clean Vaughan up. We also need a chart of taxpayers' rights. These items are missing from Di Biase's platform."
"Moreover, I want to get some visible results on priority issues like the subway and the hospital. I don't want to wait 10 years to see anything, I want results now. Di Biase speaks of projects that will come to fruition in 10 years, but says nothing of the next four years. I look forward too, but also aim to concrete achievements as soon as possible."

The other incumbent councillors all support Di Biase. What would happen if Tuesday you found yourself at the helm of a recalcitrant council?
"I think that Vaughan wants change, and there will be some turnover even among the councillors. Anyway, they've made their choices. Should I win, I feel sure that they would work with me. The voters would demand that."

Every Vaughan mayor of the past 20 years was accused of entertaining special relations with developers. So, is the problem a matter of individuals or of a system?
"I disagree. This problem only surfaced during the last four years, not 20."
Newspapers often ran stories on this about Vaughan. The issue had already been brought out in the late '80s by the Globe and Mail.
"For those allegations, my family sued the newspaper and obtained a correction. It happened 20 years ago and I don't want to comment on allegations that I don't believe, about someone who's not with us any more. Speaking of integrity, I think that the real issue is not the amount of the contributions someone receives from developers. The real issue concerns the individuals and their integrity. I don't think you can buy someone for $750."
"I am passionate and proud of the City of Vaughan," concluded Linda Jackson, "and I want Vaughan to be proud of its mayor."


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Di Biase remains confident about re-election
"Wait 'til Monday, when the voters will speak. But I don't think Jackson will win."

By Luigi De Biase

Michael Di Biase displays confidence about the results of the coming election. The incumbent Vaughan mayor, running for a second term, claims satisfaction for his campaign and certainty that his council worked well, and that most of the group he led for the past four years will again sit in Council with him.
"I don't even want to think that Linda Jackson might win this election," he remarked in an interview to Corriere/Tandem. "Let's wait until Monday, when the voters will speak. But I don't think Jackson will win."

Mayor Di Biase, the Toronto Star has chosen to support your challenger. How do you feel about this decision?
"There is nothing wrong in a newspaper supporting one candidate or another. However, the choice should be rooted in matters of fact. The fact that Linda's mother was a good mayor gives no indication as to whether Linda will be, too. This country is a democracy and chooses its administrators with elections; offices are not hereditary."
"In these years as mayor," continued Di Biase, "I pursued some important projects; yet the Star did not consider them when choosing whom to support. I'm not surprised, though: every time there is an Italian running, that newspaper takes similar positions. It's an attitude we've witnessed all too frequently with other members of our community."
During the campaign you were attacked for your relations with developers. The same allegations were leveled against Lorna Jackson 20 years ago.
"I remember that period quite well. It was between 1985 and '88. There was an exchange of heavy allegations among Lorna Jackson, Reale and Di Giovanni. I think that there was a public enquiry."

Allegations of ethical impropriety has eclipsed the discussion on programs. What are your projects for Vaughan?
"My platform includes 10 planks. My priorities include the hospital, the subway extension, Highway 427, the Civic Centre, the environment, and the community services. I started these projects and intend to bring them forward. As regards to a hospital and subway, we are making progress, although it's not over yet. We must promote tourism and quality of life."
Do you think that the new Council will include many new councillors?
"My hunch, and my hope, is that the group will be back, as we've worked well together and achieved many good results. Just one example: the extension of Hwy 427. Our achievements are reflected by a quality of life with few comparisons in Ontario. We're one of the Province's best cities, and that's why the people appreciate our work."

There's the issue of taxes: Linda Jackson maintains that Vaughan taxpayers are paying too much. Do you think a tax cut could be possible in the next few years?
"Jackson wants to reduce taxes, but I would like to know how she hopes to obtain that. The only way would be by pressuring the Province, but it would only be feasible on the very long run. The only alternative - the one Jackson is probably thinking of - is cutting services. Life standards in Vaughan are high because City Hall has managed to ensure a vast range of services. Our roads are clean, our waste get regularly collected. What would happen if Jackson won and residents were made to pay fees for all these services? For sure, the people of Vaughan would not be happy."

Publication Date: 2006-11-12
Story Location: http://tandemnews.com/viewstory.php?storyid=6775