Well, well, well. Unless you’re Tim Peterson or John Tory, of course.
Then it’s more like: Oh, Oh, Oh.
What happens now?
Last night, the executive members of the Mississauga South Progressive Conservative Association proved that democracy is alive and well when they unanimously voted to support, “an open, public and democratic” nomination in Mississauga South.
The decision, prompted by Effie Triantafilopolous, the spurned candidate who would not quit, is a slap in the face to Tory leader John Tory, who welcomed the riding’s Liberal MPP Tim Peterson to the party March 29 on the clear understanding that his defection was the prelude to a coronation.
Tory sent a strongly-worded meeting to last night’s meeting, not to mention a five-person delegation from party headquarters downtown, to try to convince the executive to roll over and play dead. Didn’t happen.
Tory said in his letter that after “sharing the wide range of views expressed over the past two weeks, particularly on the matter of the PC nomination and the process leading up to it, he (Peterson) and I have agreed to follow through with our original commitment.” In other words, stand aside all you faithful long-term members and you candidates who worked so hard to get ready to beat the said Mr. Peterson, and enjoy the solo selection process.
You can imagine how well that went down with people, such as Margaret Marland, Tory MPP for more than 18 years in the riding, who lost to Peterson by 234 votes in 2003 and spoke at last night’s meeting.
Marland had a 45-minute phone conversation with Tory after the original Peterson announcement to express her disappointment with the defection and its effect on real local Tories like Triantafilopoulos, Brad Butt and Zoran Churchin. “People just peddle themselves around the floor now, for their own personal advantage,” Marland said today. “They forget that it’s a huge privilege to serve. They are elected to serve their constituents and I don’t think that is up for grabs.” Amen.
The Mississauga South PCs have drawn a line in the sand here. If the local riding associations will not meekly roll over and accept the will of the leader to take in defectors, then maybe the flood of floor-crossers will slow to a trickle.
Brad Butt wasn’t at last night’s monthly executive meeting but he has a totally different take on matters. He says the resistance to accepting Peterson has been, “deliberately orchestrated by the only candidate of the three who is not willing to accept this decision (Triantafilopoulos). It’s really sour grapes on her part. The more she exacerbates this, the worse it is for John Tory, Tim Peterson and the Conservative Party in Mississauga South.”
Ouch. If there ever is an actual open Tory nomination held, those speeches are going to be dillies.
The final outcome of this dispute, of course, is anything but settled.
There are legal questions about the authority of the central party to impose a candidate on the local association, just as there are legal questions about the rights of the riding association to thwart the party and the party leader’s will.
Peterson undoubtedly had a few sleepless nights before he made his move. After last night, he may have a few more.
As Walter Scott said a very long time ago, “Oh what a tangled web we weave,
When first we practise to deceive.”
At this rate, the election campaign itself could prove an anti-climax.
Comments (13)
Wow!! Fund raising for the Waterfront and Jazz Feasts with out the token “Party Status Support" certainly shows great strength for means of keeping the community together.
Next thing they’ll be parachuting Marylyn NDP from the Churley Party to make up the status quo for "Constituency Office Supplies"
Posted by Guitar Man | May 5, 2007 10:56 AM
Posted on May 5, 2007 10:56
Tim Peterson is an embarassment to Mississauga, and to men, for that matter. At least he should be. And one of those men should be John Tory...
Youtube finds his sluggo antics amusing:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=miACuEVO6HM
But this female voter DOESN'T!
Posted by Nancy Roberts | May 3, 2007 10:59 AM
Posted on May 3, 2007 10:59
Quite contrary to the political spins, MPP mandates are defined and mandated by the “Riding Associations”. Just what exactly was it Margaret Marland had done as Children’s Advocacy that the riding associations are deciding different??
The policy to “bait and switch” T-4 slips and Records of Employment brings on the controversy ” Workfare had been abandoned in New Zealand” and wasn’t put on the Mississauga property taxes through a privatization under a policy manual.
That’s a fact not an opinion!
Posted by Wayne Nagy | April 21, 2007 1:38 PM
Posted on April 21, 2007 13:38
I like Tim's stance on Mississauga’s $600 million pooling boondoggle.
Cant see why any one would parachute someone up from Florida Mississauga’s never heard of ??? Mayor Hazel even says the Pinellas County bus system sucks down there along St Petes Beach!
Posted by Abbe | April 20, 2007 11:34 PM
Posted on April 20, 2007 23:34
Tim Peterson is still missing in action entirely. he might as well have been on a beach for the past three and a half years given his admitted inability to get anything done.
Posted by RUDY CUZZETTO | April 20, 2007 12:45 AM
Posted on April 20, 2007 00:45
Just a little too Petty and the Heartbreaker speaks volumes as Mixed Member Proportional will shape the culture of Mississauga Southerners, not membership fees.
I ‘m amazed the way Tim stood his ground on Peel’s Fair front nor wouldn’t back down from 905 Minister Joe Cordiano’s “Whipping Post” (who was sent to pasture) or bend from pressures of a majority government assigned by his conservative sister in law “Deb Mathews”.
Every body knows Hazel prefers Johny.... That is Johny’s "Cash" From Tim’s participation with the Southside Shuffle $$$$
Posted by Guitar Man | April 18, 2007 9:39 PM
Posted on April 18, 2007 21:39
Old-style politics or 'a new day' in Mississauga South
As a long-time Riding Association member in Mississauga South I read with interest your piece on the Peterson floor crossing. Iam a supporter of one of the candidates in the nomination, Effie Triantafilopoulos. I have sold a lot of memberships in this campaign and mostly to people who have never been a member of a political party but who wanted to help my candidate. Mr. Tory's decision to appoint Mr. Peterson is confusing. I have supported his messages about the need for our Party to be more diverse, have more woman, more visible minorities, more first-timer voters. Appointing Tim Peterson speakes to cronyism and old-style politics. How do we get back to a message of diversity and 'a new day'? By the way, I think an open democratic nomintion meeting in Mississauga South is the critical first step.
Posted by RUDY CUZZETTO | April 18, 2007 1:31 AM
Posted on April 18, 2007 01:31
The important question is why is Ms. Effie in Florida crying her eyes out. Maybe she didn't get a deal as good the yours???
Posted by Angus Munro | April 17, 2007 4:32 PM
Posted on April 17, 2007 16:32
So who is this Angus Munro that claims to have the inside story on the activities of an ex-Premier named Bill? No one else seems to know about it .Ichecked with the other parties named in his comment and there seems to be no truth to the story he is spinning.
What is Angus's real motive in spreading this story? Maybe Angus should come forward and provide his real name.
Posted by rudy cuzzetto | April 17, 2007 11:22 AM
Posted on April 17, 2007 11:22
I understand that since Ms Marland outrage - cooler heads have come forward and ex premier name Bill has talked to Ms. Effie and the race is over and all is well in Mississauga South Tory Land
Posted by Angus Munro | April 16, 2007 12:10 PM
Posted on April 16, 2007 12:10
As Brad Butt said a short time ago “the Liberal MPPs in Mississauga talk a good game when it comes to Fair Share's requests but they do not nor will they deliver on the funding inequities.”
Margaret Marland lost due to social services taxes being pushed onto the Mississauga properties long before she had been “Whipped “into defeating the October 18 2001 Social Audit that later backfired as substantial tax increases guised as commissions. If there had of been a 45 minute discussion on our missing and altered Workfare-Workfirst documentation, through broker outsourcing, the Ernie Eves parachuting syndrome would never have occurred if they left the system alone instead of the $111,000 dole out for public offices.
Posted by Wayne Nagy | April 12, 2007 3:31 PM
Posted on April 12, 2007 15:31
Common sense and democracy shall prevail in Mississauga South!
I cannot wait for John Tory's response to that!
However, I must say I really like this man , watched him develop in the Ontario PC Party but was stunned that he would allow such an undemocratic procedure! I will be watching further developments or alternatively Effie T should run as an Independent WIN and then cross over!
Happening more and more all the time. The good news is on the federal scene Belinda is not going to run again, unless someone gives her a "MAGNA" portfolio.And her daddy did that. Sorry to group two stories together but they are in my opinion, relevant.
Posted by Irene Gabon | April 12, 2007 1:33 PM
Posted on April 12, 2007 13:33
Parachute candidates are bad enough but at least you can see them coming.
The Mississauga South Provincial Tories, are I believe, getting the first ever enema candidate.
Posted by Stephen Wahl | April 12, 2007 6:53 AM
Posted on April 12, 2007 06:53