Ridings

189 Scarborough-Guildwood

2004 Candidates
GRN: Paul Charbonneau
LIB: John McKay (Incumbent)
CAP: Brenda Thompson
CON: Tom Varesh
NDP: Sheila White

Riding Profile

This Toronto riding contains part of the former city of Scarborough extending north from the Lake Ontario shoreline.

The riding falls between the lake and Highway 401 in the north and between Morningside Avenue and Highland Creek in east and Toyota Place, Bellamy Road and Bellamy Ravine Creek in the west.

Residents of the riding are primarily employed in other parts of the city in manufacturing and professional sectors. Employment within the riding is predominantly in the service sector and retail trade. Average family income is $57,272 and unemployment is 8.8 per cent.

According to the 2001 census, more than half the population are immigrants, with the largest ethnic communities being East Indian, Tamil, Chinese and Italian.

Scarborough-Guildwood was created in the 2004 redistribution from 60 per cent of Scarborough East, 21 per cent of Scarborough Centre and 15 per cent of Scarborough Southwest. Scarborough East was created in 1966 from part of York-Scarborough.

Political History

Scarborough East:
1968: LIB
1972: PC
1974: LIB
1979-1988 inclusive: PC
1993, 1997, 2000: LIB

In 2000, Liberal John McKay won his second term in Scarborough East, defeating Tory D'Arcy Keene. In 1993, the riding was won by Doug Peters, who was secretary of state for international financial institutions.

Scarborough East seesawed between Liberals and Conservatives in the 1970s and 1980s, electing Liberal Martin O'Connell in 1968, Tory Reg Stackhouse in 1972, and then O'Connell again in 1974. In 1979 and 1980, the MP was PC Gordon Gilchrist, who had to resign in 1984 after being found guilty of tax evasion. PC Bob Hicks won in 1984 and 1988.

John McKay

Party: Liberal Party of Canada
Birth Date: Mar. 21, 1948
Age: 56
Birthplace: Toronto

University Degree: Yes
Education: BA from University of Toronto; LL.B. from Queen's University.
Profession: Lawyer
Career Background: Has served in leadership positions with the Durham Region Bar Association, County and District Law Association and the Law Society of Upper Canada.
Community: Member of the advisory council to Durham College. Board member of the Doris McCarthy Art Gallery.
Marital Status: Married
Name of Spouse: Carolyn
Children: Ian, Nathan, Sarah, Rachel and Caitlin

Tom Varesh

Party: Conservative Party of Canada

University Degree: Yes
Education: B.Comm. and MBA, University of Toronto.
Career Background: Is currently an equity research associate at Canaccord Capital, covering transportation and aerospace companies.
Community: Co-founder and administrator of Paul Turner Memorial Award at West Hill C.I. Volunteer for Canadian Cancer Society, Bayview Hospice and Easter Seals Society. Branch representative for United Way Campaign. Member of the First Centenary Boy Scouts.

Sheila White

Party: The New Democratic Party of Canada

Career Background: Worked for more than 12 years as a senior aide to the mayor of North York, directing communications, media and community programs. Served for five years as special adviser to Howard Hampton and the NDP at Queen's Park. Is a former journalist, choir director, songwriter, musician, performer, emcee, speaker, self-published children's book author and entrepreneur.
Community: Active in church and community. Director of Community Unity Alliance, which administers youth scholarships and programs for a number of ethno-cultural groups. Founding member of the Marcus Garvey Centre for Leadership and Education. Past vice-chair of special events for the Ontario Games for the Physically Disabled in 1987.
Name of Spouse/Partner: Alex King
Children: Two

Paul Charbonneau

Party: The Green Party of Canada

Brenda Thompson

Party: The Canadian Action Party

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