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For over 15 years now, I’ve watched in frustration as a long line of Toronto MPs have gone off to Ottawa, never to be heard from again. I’m fed up with the lack of representation and the lack of voice that this great city – my city – has at the federal level.

That’s why I’m running for the NDP in the Toronto riding of Davenport.

My name is Andrew Cash, and I think the citizens of Davenport expect more and deserve more than they currently get from their federal representative. I’ve lived and worked in this city all my life – as a musician, as a journalist, and as a father – and I know that a growing number of Torontonians feel marginalized or ignored altogether by Ottawa.

I’m talking about the real urban workforce of Toronto – the shop owners and small business entrepreneurs. I’m talking about the part-time workers, those on short contracts or otherwise self employed; folks who have no employment benefits, no access to employment insurance and no job security. I’m talking about the filmmakers and the roofers, the waiters and the supply teachers. I’m talking about the single moms, with two jobs and three kids, who have to deal with the Dufferin bus at rush hour every day. I’m talking about the older workers who are caring for elderly parents, and the young families who can’t afford, or can’t find, proper daycare for their children. Who is speaking for them and their unique concerns?

I’m talking about our seniors who, after a lifetime of hard work building this city and raising families, are being ignored by the federal government and can now barely afford to live in dignity in Toronto. Who is speaking for them?

I’m talking about bringing up our children in a city where it’s safe to breathe the air and swim in the lake. As the federal government moves ahead with plans to run dirty diesel trains up the west side of the city, who is speaking for our kids?

At a time when national governments the world over are funding the operations of their big city transit systems, our federal government – and most Toronto MPs – sits idly by while TTC riders face constant fare increases and diminished service. Who’s speaking up for folks who rely on a transit system that’s unreliable and overpriced?

The people of Davenport and all Torontonians need and deserve a strong, dynamic, active voice for their concerns. We need to build a federal government that recognizes the vital role that this city plays in the growth and success of Canada.

That’s why I want to go to Ottawa.

I hope you’ll help me to get there.