[URBAN NOTE] "Olivia Chow launches federal run for NDP in Spadina-Fort York"

[rfmcdonald]

The Toronto Star's David Rider and Jennifer Pagliaro report on Chow's return to federal politics.

“I have worked so hard for 30 years, for children, for a nation child-care program,” Chow told reporters Tuesday in a downtown condo filled for the occasion with parents and kids. “We’re at a historic moment. We’re at the edge of forming a (NDP) government that can finally delivery affordable child care to a million kids across Canada.”

Chow confirmed she will seek the NDP nomination in the new downtown riding of Spadina-Fort York that spans most of the south end of downtown, including a growing cluster of condos.

The former NDP transportation critic said, if voters elect her to the House of Commons, she will also fight for a national transit strategy, affordable housing and against the “reckless, dangerous and ineffective spy bill” C-51 passed by the Stephen Harper Conservative government with votes from Liberals –– including her federal opponent, MP Adam Vaughan.

But she returned again and again to Canada’s child-care “crisis” to explain why she is attempting a political comeback after she resigned her Trinity-Spadina seat last year to run for mayor of Toronto, a decision that triggered a $1-million federal byelection. Just five months ago, Chow accepted a three-year visiting professorship at Ryerson University, which has now granted her a leave to run in the Oct. 19 election.

“I have seen the desperation in the eyes of a lot of parents waiting for child care,” Chow said, with NDP Leader Tom Mulcair at her side and children playing at her feet. “I refuse to stand on the sideline while we can deliver change.”