The NDP candidate in Ottawa South wants incumbent Liberal MPP Dalton McGuinty to go on a walkabout of the Heron Gate apartments with him. It’s not clear from this what Wali Farah thinks McGuinty should have done or be doing about the pretty unpleasant-sounding situation there, so I’ve asked but haven’t had my voicemail returned yet. The province does control the Residential Tenancies Act, which governs standards landlords need to maintain, but enforcing it here is primarily a municipal responsibility.
Update: Farah’s campaign manager, Hijal De Sarkar, calls to say that primarily the NDP would like to see McGuinty use his general influence as MPP and premier to try to get the outfit responsible for the complex, TransGlobe, to do something. “The premier has such a powerful bully pulpit, he could be using it to move this forward,” De Sarkar said. More generally, he said, “Housing is, of course, a provincial responsibility, so if standards are being skirted here in Ottawa South, what’s happening elsewhere?”
McGuinty could also be “mandating that the ministry enforce standards” at Heron Gate, though De Sarkar conceded that enforcement is primarily a city responsibility.
I’ve also asked McGuinty’s people what he’s done on the Heron Gate file and when the last time was that he visited the complex.
Update: And here’s what they told me, in an e-mail from a spokeswoman:
The Premier’s constituency office has been in touch with both Mayor Watson’s office and Councillor Peter Hume’s office. We have offered any assistance they may need.
There will be a representative from the Premier’s constituency office attending a meeting on behalf of the Premier that is being organized by the Mayor and Councillor with the new company’s president and CEO in early September.
We are confident that both the Mayor and Councillor have been taking all possible actions.
The Premier met Wali Farah at the Jim Durrell Centre on August the 5th at the Somali Famine Relief Fundraiser and he never raised the issue. The Premier was in Heatherington at the end of June to visit Better Beginnings Better Futures.
This is a serious issue and we are keeping a very close watch on it.
This does indicate the obvious line of attack on McGuinty as he defends his own seat: that he’s so busy being premier that he’s neglected his own back yard.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
AUGUST 17, 2011
New Democrat Candidate Invites Dalton McGuinty on Walkaround of Herongate Village
“See how your constituents live,” Farah encourages
OTTAWA – Wali Farah, the New Democrat candidate for Ottawa South in the Ontario Election, is calling on local Member of Provincial Parliament Dalton McGuinty to join him for a community meeting and a walkaround through the troubled Herongate Village neighbourhood in the heart of Mr. McGuinty’s riding.
“The residents of Herongate Village have spoken with me at length about the numerous issues affecting their community. They have been complaining about substandard housing, rats, vermin and other dangers to themselves and their children. They want to know what the Liberal Government and their local MPP, Dalton McGuinty, are going to do about it.”
Concerns about health and safety in the housing community have fallen on deaf ears as neither TransGlobe Property Management, the company which owns the property, nor government representatives have adequately addressed the issues raised by residents.
“The conditions in Herongate Village are intolerable and require action now. This is why I want the Premier to join me as we talk with local residents and hear from them what they’re experiencing in their homes. It is unacceptable that these valid concerns are being ignored, and I hope Mr. McGuinty agrees with me.”
The event will allow Messrs. Farah and McGuinty to listen to constituents to understand the scope of the problem, and to work together on solutions.
Residents of the neighbourhood will open their homes to Messrs. Farah and McGuinty, as well as members of the press.
