Well, you don't see this everyday: Last fall, Tony Genco was the Liberal candidate battling tooth-and-nail against former OPP commissioner and Conservative candidate Julian Fantino in a byelection in the federal riding of Vaughan. Fantino won — but it was certainly not a landslide. In fact, given Fantino's star power, the number of big hitters (including PM Harper and Don Cherry) who campaigned with him, and the financial resources of the Conservative Party, one might have thought that Fantino would have scored much bigger.
But that's all water under the bridge now. The Liberals turned away from Genco for this general election and to a new candidate, Mario Ferri. And now it appears that Genco has turned away from the Liberals. Here's an “open letter” Genco submitted to the Vaughan Citizen:
I feel I have a responsibility and moral duty to the people of the City of Vaughan, particularly those who voted for me in the November 2010 by election to share my thoughts and perspectives on the current campaign. After much thoughtful reflection and deliberation, I am pleased to announce that I will be supporting Julian Fantino as our Member of Parliament for Vaughan and the Conservative Party of Canada in this important general election. I have arrived at this decision after careful consideration and deliberation, recognizing that given my history and background, this will come as a surprise to many. No doubt that there will be many cynics who will view this in a variety of inaccurate ways. For this reason, I want to provide my own direct comments to ensure the facts are clear and my enthusiasm for my decision is understood.
Julian Fantino is a great Canadian. Even in the recent by-election when I ran against him, this was something I and many Liberals, including Michael Ignatieff himself had acknowledged when he approached him to run for the Liberal Party before me. He is a committed and proven public servant who has always excelled to the highest offices within his organizations and has been highly regarded and respected. His heart is always in the right place and his devotion to the community is unquestionable.
Julian Fantino has delivered for the people of Vaughan. He was recognized by Prime Minister Stephen Harper with an appointment to the Cabinet, almost immediately upon being elected. As Minister of State (Seniors) he not only has national responsibilities but he has an important portfolio that many Vaughan residents are in need of improved Government services within. Already we have seen significant accessibility to information on senior programs and initiatives thanks to his hard work. As well, a grant to a large senior’s organization in Vaughan has recently been provided because of his dedication. The improvements proposed by the Conservative Government in its recent budget with regards to seniors needs and concerns were Julian at his best- delivering results for the people of Vaughan and Canada.
In a very short time, Julian has been able to provide funding on a long lasting legacy project for Vaughan through a significant grant for the Vaughan Health Campus of Care. Frankly, I was extremely skeptical about his capacity to deliver any results in any period of time. However, I was even more astounded that Julian was able to make the case to the federal government so quickly to provide $10 million of funding for an important Vaughan complex that will ultimately be home to a hospital facility, a life-sciences cluster and many other much needed health services. I attended the announcement, and said then that this truly is good news for Vaughan’s people.
Julian has earned the right to continue to represent our community in Vaughan. I am honoured to have him serving us. Simply put Julian Fantino delivers… period! Julian decided to sacrifice his time, energy and talents and devoting it to further public service for the people of Canada and our community in Vaughan- something that he didn’t have to do but something he clearly wanted to do.
Those of you, who supported me when I ran against the Conservative Party and Julian Fantino in the recent by election, may be shocked by my current perspective. But ultimately, I truly believe that this is what is right given the realities of what Julian has done for us since his election.
Up until very recently, I seriously considered running in this general election, but I have to say my heart wasn’t in it. I spoke to many residents who had encouraged me to run given the momentum that I had built thanks to the support of many Liberals in this riding. I now encourage, every Liberal in Vaughan to seriously reconsider their support for the Liberal Party and support the Conservative Party of Canada and Julian Fantino.
The Liberal Party that I joined over 20 years ago in university has disappeared. The ideas that I tried to represent of balance, diversity and nation building no longer exist in this version of the Liberal Party. It’s clear that the Liberal Party policies do not resonate with the majority of Canadians. The recent electoral results speak for themselves. The Liberal Party is adrift continuing to be nostalgic about its historic contributions and past glory’s, without having built from those successes of the past to renew its ideas to reflect the needs of the new modern Canada. I have only come to this realization recently. I therefore did not submit my papers to run for the party this time, because I simply felt betrayed by a party that took for granted its people. I am delighted with all that Julian has delivered for our community and that he has already made a real difference for all of us.
This election is unnecessary particularly in Vaughan where we have been in perpetual campaign mode over the past year. We are suffering from chronic election fatigue here. No Government is perfect but people like me are starting to realize this – the stability and focus of the Federal Government led by Prime Minister Stephen Harper will help ensure that the values of a modern Canada -those of responsibility, duty, balance, diversity and prosperity for all- will continue to evolve in a positive and optimistic fashion.
I hope that all citizens of Vaughan and all Canadians consider these issues as they reflect on their needs for the future and vote for the Conservative Party in this election. There is no other party in Canada that can form a majority government and we need one now more than ever, as people are vulnerable to a continuingly fragile economic recovery. I hope all citizens of Vaughan particularly those who have voted Liberal in the past send a strong message to Ottawa that we want a strong united government, which has Vaughan represented by Julian Fantino. I know that Julian Fantino given his track record will continue to represent us extremely well in the Conservative Government for many many many years to come!
David, I'm really curious to know whether it rings true to you. I might be too partisan, but it seems so obviously written in order to hurt the Liberal candidate that I don't beleive for a second it has anything to do with principle. I also saw Tony say the exact opposite at a Vaughan Liberal event only a month or two ago (and now wish I taped it). As a person who does his best to be fair, do you believe that this is anything other than sour grapes?