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Former Toronto Police Chief and now Liberal candidate for Scarborough Southwest, Bill Blair changed hats the day after he stopped being chief


The last monthly session of the National Ethnic Press Council of Canada was a marathon event when President Tom Saras (not an Estonian) had three prominent political speakers one after the other, provincial New Democratic Party (NDP) leader, Andrea Horwath, former Toronto Police chief and now Liberal candidate for Scarborough Southwest, Bill Blair and the candidate profiled last week Hungarian, Liberal Eve Adams. This week we are discussing Bill Blair.

Bill Blair - Photo by Adu Raudkivi (2015)

Blair, who even though he is from Scarborough is not from Scarborough Southwest but running there because the NDP incumbent Bill Harris might not be a strong candidate having been elected on the late NDP leader Jack Layton orange sweep. However with NDP leader Tom Mulchair leading in the polls, Harris might just stay in with a renewed NDP sweep.

Blair was not the only Liberal running in Scarborough Southwest but with deft backroom maneuvering is now the candidate.

Blair was asked was why Liberals since the Conservatives are the law and order party. His answer was that he agreed more with the Liberal platform.

What about legalizing marijuana which Liberal leader Justin had promised to do. Blair had agreed with Trudeau, the enforcement of which has been a drain on law enforcement resources. This was a bit of shock to the audience, coming from Blair.

It might not be smooth sailing however for Blair because at a certain media meeting former Toronto Councillor Doug Ford who battled with Blair, along with his brother then Mayor Rob Ford, over the latter's possible drug use, was asked if he might run against Blair. Doug Ford said with a smirk, “no comment.” Since Scarborough was a breeding ground for Ford Nation which gave the Fords their greatest support.
If Blair faces off against Ford this could be the race of the century.

 

 

Adu Raudkivi

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