By Kristina Urquhart
Lawyer Will Murray will represent the NDP in Ottawa Centre in the Oct. 10 provincial election.
“I feel great,” said Murray, 39, in an interview after winning the nomination at the Royal Canadian Legion on Kent Street. “I feel I am doing exactly what I should be.”
“With your help, we will win. That’s my commitment,” Murray told a crowd of more than 100 NDP members, many of whom held up glossy signs bearing his name.
Murray defeated Jeff Atkinson, the party’s candidate in the riding in 2003, for the opportunity to wrest the riding from the Liberals. It is currently held by Richard Patten.
Murray, a former partner at law firm Kimmel Victor Ages, said his experience with public interest cases made him the best candidate for the NDP seat.
He has fought successfully against jail time for mentally ill individuals and has also defended people with addictions and disabilities.
Murray said his platform will centre on a few key issues.
The Ontario government needs to become more actively involved in reaching Canada’s Kyoto goals, he said.
The NDP have been more willing than the Liberals to explore conservation and renewable energy, he added.
Poor public housing is another issue Murray said needs to be addressed.
Atkinson also staked his campaign on affordable public housing in Ottawa and underfunding in education.
He said during his nomination speech that high property taxes concern him – especially for those who don’t earn enough to pay – and encouraged voters to sign petition forms for a $10 per hour minimum wage in Ontario.
Murray also blasted the Ontario government’s 25 per cent pay raise for politicians and indicated that consequently, the province should be able to afford the NDP’s idea for a minimum wage increase.
The Ontario NDP has proposed a $2 minimum wage increase. The party points out that a worker currently earning minimum wage makes $4,000 less annually than the low-income cut-off of $20,000.
Provincal NDP leader Howard Hampton made a guest appearance at the meeting and gave a short and rousing speech championing the NDP platform.
“This is a great riding association. It’s great to see the energy and vision,” Hampton said.
Hampton dismissed the Liberals for using fear tactics to sway voters. He also said NDP members should feel optimistic about winning more seats in the upcoming election.
While Hampton declined to comment on either candidate specifically, he said in an interview both Murray and Atkinson are “outstanding individuals.”
One Centretown resident said she thinks Murray attracted higher attendance numbers to the meeting.
“Will has a certain amount of charisma and will engage voters,” said Cynthia Shelwell, an NDP member.
Murray said the challenge now lies in making the campaign bigger and better than ever to win Ottawa Centre. He plans to campaign every day to advocate his platform.
“Ottawa has had enough,” he said. “It’s time to look at ways for a fairer and more just society.”