Thornhill's candidates

The Citizen asked Thornhill’s federal candidates in the Oct. 14 election to talk about anything except politics. We asked them these questions, all off-the-beaten path. Here’s what they said.

— Questions compiled by Caroline Grech

SUSAN KADIS: Liberal incumbent MP.

Q: What is your favourite thing to do when you have a couple of hours of free time?
A: I love walking around our beautiful, historic neighbourhood of Thornhill.
Q: What characteristic do you most deplore in others?
A: Mean spiritedness.
Q: When was the last time you returned a meal in a restaurant?
A: I can’t remember doing that.
Q: What characteristic could you stand to work on?
A: I’m always striving to find the right balance between work and family.
Q: If you could pick one theme song that represents you, what would it be?
A: Teach Your Children, by Crosby, Stills and Nash.
Q: What book or magazine is on your night stand?
A: I like to keep a balance of light and more serious reading material. But on my nightstand right now is McLean’s and People.
Q: What is your favourite film?
A: The Terminal.
Q: What is a word or phrase you say often?
A: Be true to yourself.
Q: What is your favourite childhood moment?
A: I used to love to go on day trips up north with my family. My younger brother and I would sing songs really loud in the back seat all the way up. Surprisingly, my parents never told us to keep it down.
Q: What is the one thing you would like to change about yourself?
A: I have a tendency to be too hard on myself.
Q: Who would you rather have coffee with, Leonard Cohen or Don Cherry?
A: Leonard Cohen.
Q: Who do you admire as a person?
A: My mother, Mary who inspires me every day with her compassion and determination to fight for justice and help others.

NORBERT KOEHL: Green Party candidate.

Q: What is your favourite thing to do when you have a couple of hours of free time?
A: My favourite pastime is cycling and my favourite event is taking all the kids on their bikes and riding through Pomona Mills.
Q: What characteristic do you most deplore in others?
A: Arrogance combined with ignorance.
Q: When was the last time you returned a meal in a restaurant?
A: Two weeks ago I was out for lunch with a supplier and we returned the layered  walnut cake that was still frozen.
Q: What characteristic could you stand to work on?
A: I need to spoil my wife more.
Q: If you could pick one theme song that represents you, what would it be?
A: Lenny Kravitz’s Are You Gonna Go My Way.
Q: What book or magazine is on your night stand?
A: World Without End by Ken Follett.
Q: What is your favourite film?
A: Spartacus with Kirk Douglas.
Q: What is the word or phrase you say often?
A: Less is more and the sky is the limit.
Q: What is your favourite childhood moment?
A: Double-riding with my older brothers on their bicycles when I was about 5.
Q: What is the one thing you would like to change about yourself?
A: I wish my nose were larger and longer.
Q: Who would you rather have coffee with Leonard Cohen or Don Cherry?
A: Don Cherry with, Leonard Cohen singing in the background.
Q: Who do you admire as a person?
A: The people key to our campaign —  Michael and Jason Yarmolinsky and Joan and George Jenkyn.

PETER KENT: Conservative Party of Canada candidate.

Q: What is your favourite thing to do when you have a couple of hours of free time?
A: Running, stained glass, playing the piano, banjo and sax.
Q: What characteristic do you most deplore in others?
A: Tardiness.
Q: When was the last time you returned a meal in a restaurant?
A: I don’t think I have ever sent a meal back.
Q: What characteristic could you stand to work on?
A: My good nature. Some folks tend to take advantage.
Q: If you could pick one theme song that represents you, what would it be?
A: “Non, je ne regret rien”. (Edith Piaf)
Q: What book or magazine is on your night stand?
A: Reach for the Sky.
Q: What is your favourite film?
A: Gandhi
Q: What is the word or phrase you say often?
A: Cheers
Q: What is your favourite childhood moment?
A: Camping with my parents and siblings.
Q: What is the one thing you would like to change about yourself?
A: Regain fluency in French and Spanish.
Q: Who would you rather have coffee with, Leonard Cohen or Don Cherry?
A: Both. Both have made their own unique contributions to Canadian culture.
Q: Who do you admire as a person?
A: Raoul Wallenberg

SIMON STRELCHIK: NDP candidate did not respond to the questions at press time.

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