Markham mayor backing Liberal incumbent in local riding
Simone Joseph

Should municipal politicians endorse the federal candidate of their choice?

No, says Whitchurch-Stouffville Mayor Wayne Emmerson.

Yes, says Markham Mayor Frank Scarpitti, who is publicly backing Liberal incumbent Lui Temelkovski in the Oak Ridges-Markham riding.

The riding includes Whitchurch-Stouffville and portions of Markham, Richmond Hill and King.

An advertisement for Mr. Temelkovski appeared in Saturday’s Sun-Tribune that contained a photograph of Mr. Scarpitti with a quote from the Markham mayor. “Lui cares. To me, that matters!” it reads.

A media release from Mr. Temelkovski’s campaign manager Bill Attwell carried the same message.

“(Frank) has known Lui for many years,” said Mr. Attwell, not to confused with former local Conservative MP Bill Attewell,

Mr. Scarpitti is a long-time Liberal and a former party candidate.

“It’s a tough call,” said Mr. Emmerson, who is a fourth term mayor. “You have the freedom to do whatever you want, but I wouldn’t do it. I vote, but I won’t endorse anyone.”

“After the election, I have to work with whoever is elected and I think the candidates should be conscious of that.”

When Mr. Temelkovski asked for an endorsement this fall, Mr. Emmerson said no.

He said he will endorse candidates when they are seeking party nominations, including Conservative candidate Paul Calandra and former provincial Conservative candidate Phil Bannon.

Mr. Emmerson was defeated by Mr. Temelkovski for the Liberal nomination two elections ago, in 2004.

Mr. Scarpitti points out that as mayor, he is often in a unique position to see public players, such as Mr. Temelkovski, at work.

“I see a perspective. It is one perspective,” he said. “It is not one (person or party) over another. It is support of Markham. I am happy to endorse anything that is good for Markham,” he said.

Mr. Scarpitti has endorsed Markham politicians in the past including: Tony Roman, Jim Jones, Bill Fisch and David Tsubouchi.

After the election, he makes an effort to work with other levels of government, regardless of who he endorsed, he said.

Mr. Scarpitti pointed out that when he was mayor in 1992 to 1994, Ontario had an NDP government. While Mr. Scarpitti did not necessarily agree with everything that government did, he still worked amiably with them.

“I have never let political philosophy get in the way,” he said.

People often vote based on a party and its leaders rather than a local candidate, although the local candidate can play a role in their decision, he said.

“I question how much people look at endorsements,” Mr. Scarpitti said.

Richmond Hill Mayor David Barrow, on the other hand, says he stays neutral on these matters and prefers not to endorse candidates.

“I choose not to support any party or candidate because in the end, we have to work with whoever forms the government,” he said.

Having municipal politicians endorse candidates at other levels of government is not a new phenomenon.

Former Markham mayor Don Cousens endorsed politicians at different levels throughout his tenure and sees nothing wrong with the practice.

He was quoted in a previous John McCallum campaign brochure. Mr. McCallum is the Liberal incumbent for Markham-Unionville.

Mr. Cousens also supported Frank Klees during election time. Mr. Klees is the Conservative MPP for Newmarket-Aurora. Mr. Cousens said he has supported both Tories and Liberals over the years.

“I did it out of the conviction that they were the right person at the time,” he said.

Mr. Cousens doubts this kind of endorsement makes a difference to voters anyway.

“People are busy making up their own mind. The fact that local politicians have a view plays a small role. They respect (that) you have a view but respect their own view better,” he said. “I think there is ambivalence to the whole thing. I don’t think it affects people’s thinking.”

But what happens post-election, when the local politician has to interact with the provincial or federal politician he did or did not endorse?

“I don’t think it becomes a problem. I and Frank (Scarpitti) and other (politicians) build bridges. It would not get in the way,” Mr. Cousens said. “Temelkovski is a big guy. So is Frank. They won’t play stupid games.”

— with files from Jim Mason 

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