New Toronto riding Spadina-Fort York a key battleground in federal election

The race for Spadina-Fort York, a newly-created riding in downtown Toronto, is shaping up to be one of the most hotly contested in the upcoming federal election.

Vying for the seat are Liberal Adam Vaughan, the NDP’s Olivia Chow, and Conservative Sabrina Zuniga – two seasoned political veterans and one relative newcomer.

Vaughan and Chow have both served as MP for Trinity-Spadina – the riding from which Spadina-Fort York was carved in a 2012 redistribution.

Chow held the seat from 2006 until March 2014 when she stepped down to run for mayor of Toronto. Following Chow’s resignation, Vaughan won a by-election to replace her. Both candidates were also long-time Toronto city councillors for the area, prior to serving as MPs.

Zuniga is new to federal politics, but ran for Toronto District School Board trustee in Ward 20 (Trinity-Spadina) in 2014.

Spadina-Fort York is one of 11 new GTA ridings created since the last federal election, to better reflect the region’s growing population. It is home to more than 82,000 Torontonians, and covers much of the city’s downtown core, as well as the Toronto islands.

On Sunday, following Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s dissolution of parliament and the beginning of the official campaign period, Vaughan was out putting up election signs and discussing his priorities for the riding.

“It’s not just affordable housing, which I’ve gotten built in this part of the city, it’s also about making sure housing stays affordable for people that just bought a condominium.”

Vaughan spoke of ensuring Toronto had enough operating money and capital to improve its transit system.

Chow was at Evangel Hall Mission, preparing food for people in need.

“I have nothing against Adam,” said Chow of her opponent. “It’s just the Liberals that have disappointed.”

Chow, like Vaughan, spoke of transit and affordable living as being priorities.

Zuniga was not available for comment.

The federal election takes place Oct. 19.