Vaughan, Ontario will have a by-election

My beautiful city and home of Vaughan, Ontario will have a by-election, following the resignation of Maurizio Bevilacqua, former liberal incumbant. Living in Vaughan for almost a decade, I could never reconcile why this riding is such a liberal stronghold, and why our green constituency is so small. Vaughan is a beautiful city with a rich history and heritage. It is home to one of my favourite art galleries in Canada, the McMichael art collection in Kleinburg, featuring the famous works of the group of seven. In true Canadian spirit, the collection and special exhibition is the only major Ontario gallery to be 100% Canadian. I have had the pleasure of being a member and helping support the gallery since 2008, while being invited to witness the inspirational works of Robert Bateman, James Reaney, and Yousef Karsh, to name a few. The gallery is settled in the picteresque village of Kleinburg, also home to Ontario's premier center for environmental and renewable energy education.

Vaughan is also the first municipality in Ontario to have a Youth City Councillor to represent the growing youth population. With one of the lowest aging populations, where those over 65 only represent 8.15% of the population, Vaughan's average age is 31.

Most of the white belt land that belonged predominantly to the farm community has been sold to developers. What is left is protected by a moratorium on development. Citizens do not want any more sprawl, and they don't want their taxes going to fund speculative development infrastructure.

Vaughan takes pride in the heritage it has retained, restored and rebuilt. The percent that voted liberal in the last federal election is not representative of Vaughan's hopes and dreams for a community that has faced the challenges of urban sprawl and looks towards a future of political leadership and citizen empowerment. Vaughan is a young, vibrant community ready for the liberal leaf to turn green and ripe for a new kind of leadership. A leadership where they are heard, involved, and empowered.

The future in Vaughan is green. I am asking you, fellow and future green, to join me in the victory that Vaughan deserves and asks for. Join me in turning the leaf.

To join the campaign, e-mail vaughangreens@gmail.com

Claudia Rodriguez-Larrain, Federal candidate for Vaughan, and CEO of Vaughan EDA.