Here are my notes from the first two questions asked at Wednesday's all-candidates meeting. Just in case you missed it, I also have an entry containing my notes on the opening statements.

Question 1: Island Airport

[As a resident of the area] we are in the flight path leading to the Toronto Island airport. We expect that if it goes into the use planned by the Port Authority, we can expect 5 hours of flights and noise...[starts soapboxing]

[Someone in the audience yells "Ask the question!"]

[Taken slightly aback] What are your plans to close the Island airport and shut down the Port Authority?

• Would prefer that it was a big park
   
• Liberals failed to deal with the issue
   
• Now the Port Authority is suing Toronto
  
  

• I'm with the GTA caucus, and we were instrumental in killing the Island bridge [part of the plan for the airport]
   
• The federal government was not involved in this issue
   
• The Port Authority serves a purpose [wag in audience says: "Yeah, patronage!"
   
• Remain to be convince that a Port Authority hand-over would be a good thing
  
  

• We would consult with people in the neighbourhood for their opinions
  
  

• Just as Adscam was a "gift" to Quebec, the Port Authority fiasco was a "gift" to Toronto
   
• The bridge got cancelled, yet we have to pay $32 million [that's what the Port Authority is suing the city for]
  
  

• [unintelligible] don't know issue [unintelligible] but will listen
  
  

• Alternatives exist: service Pearson [Toronto International Airport] with subway link

Question 2: Proportional Representation

The "first past the post" system of elections here leaves many small groups under-represented or locked out. What are your opinions on proportional representation?

• The current system skews democracy and emphasizes regionalism
   
• It is antiquated
   
• The NDP favours a "mixed proportional representation" system [as opposed to a completely proportional one] as recommended by the Canadian Bar Association
  
  

• That's one of our promises
  
  

• Proportional representation would make things marginally better
   
• The party system is outdated, from a time when white males dominated
   
• Today we are dominated by parties
  
  

• Proportional representation: interesting
   
• Concerned that "the process is lengthy"
   
• Conservatives have proposed some intermin solutions:       
             
  • Independent director of public prosecution
             
  • Federal accountability act
         
     

• Will have to discuss this one with the party
  
  

• We support it
   
• We're the only party that you can vote for knowing that we'll do it
  
  

• It was part of our February 2004 Democratic Reform Action Plan!
   
• We had cross-country roundtables
   
• The provinces are looking into it
   
• There's academic research into the issue
   
• We're talking to people about it
   
• Proportional representation [in and of itself] is not always the answer -- you need political will