Clare Hacksel launches campaign as federal NDP candidate in Toronto-Danforth

Clare Hacksel formally launched her campaign as the NDP candidate in the federal riding of Toronto-Danforth last week.

Joining Hacksel at the celebration of the launch of her campaign on the evening of Thursday, Nov. 14, was federal NDP leader Jagmeet Singh.

The Toronto-Danforth federal riding has been held by Liberal Julie Dabrusin since 2015.

In the most recent 2021 federal election, Dabrusin won the riding for the third time in a race in which Hacksel was the candidate for the NDP in Toronto-Danforth. The results of the 2021 vote locally saw Dabrusin re-elected with 23,038 votes compared to 15,881 votes for Hacksel.

Hacksel, who has a master’s degree in social policy, has served as an advocate and volunteer for the Danforth community, including canvassing thousands of doors alongside NDP volunteers to raise awareness on critical issues ranging from climate change to access to the new NDP dental care program. Hacksel is also an active volunteer at local schools and a number of non-profit organizations.

“Danforth families deserve someone who will focus on making homes and everyday living more affordable for people,” said Singh in a news release from the NDP.

“We hear from parents who want their kids to be able to find a place of their own in the community they love – but it’s simply too expensive here. We hear from young couples ready to be parents, but they’re putting it off because they can’t afford a place with an extra bedroom. It’s time for things to change, and Clare Hacksel can be a part of the change.”

“The Liberals promised to make things better – but they’ve only gotten worse, and people here tell us they’re not going to give the Liberals another chance,” said Hacksel in the NDP release.

“Three years after the last election, the issues my neighbours are facing have only gotten worse. Every day, I hear from people frustrated by the fact that living in this community just gets more and more expensive – the cost of a home and the cost of keeping food in the fridge just gets worse and worse – while people in our community also find themselves outraged by inadequate access to clean water in Indigenous communities and the lack of climate action. In the Danforth, we believe in taking care of each other. I know that’s why the NDP created the dental care and pharmacare programs, and I know it’s why, together, the NDP is the party that will deliver relief for regular people.”

No date has been set for the next federal election, though one must take place on or before Oct. 25, 2025. The federal Liberals are currently leading the country with a minority government in Parliament.