The Stel Salaried
Pensioners Organization wishes to thank The Hamilton Spectator for permission
to post the following article by Reporter Brent Lawson published in the June
22, 2004 edition
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Jun. 22, 2004. 12:45 AM |
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New riding once seen as Liberal
shoo-in |
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By Brent Lawson |
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One of the most watched ridings in the country on June 28 will be Hamilton East-Stoney Creek. The newly formed riding is a battleground on personal and political fronts that is being played out against the larger picture of Stelco's future and its role in the economic health of the city. It's the riding where longtime Liberal MP Sheila Copps lost the nomination fight to fellow Liberal cabinet minister Tony Valeri. That bitter struggle was seen as a clash between pro-Chretien forces and pro-Martin supporters, the party's past and its future. It's home to hundreds of Stelco workers and pensioners concerned about job security, the protection of benefits and pensions and the future of the steel industry. The candidates are well-known and have widely divergent views. The riding has also been home to Liberal dynasties. John Munro was re-elected here eight times. Copps first won in 1984 and never lost an election, including her controversial 1996 byelection over the GST. But she lost the nomination fight to Valeri. Copps's supporters felt that Valeri should have run in the new Niagara West-Glanbrook seat, which took in part of his old Stoney Creek riding, but Valeri opted to go up against Copps. The fight split the local party. Candidates knocking on doors often heard concerns expressed about the perceived treatment of Copps by her party. The riding was once seen as a Liberal cakewalk but polls are now showing increasing support for the Conservatives and NDP. Conservative Fred Eisenberger was a mayoralty candidate and Ward 5 councillor for nine years. NDP candidate Tony DePaulo is well known and has a good reputation from helping families hit by plant closings. The NDP platform calling for protection of worker pensions is seen as a good match for the concerns of residents. blawson@thespec.com 905-526-2463 |