Federal Election 2025: Toronto-Danforth Liberal candidate Julie Dabrusin answers our questions

(EDITOR’S NOTE: Beach Metro Community News sent these questions to the federal candidates in Toronto-Danforth. Not all candidates responded by our deadline. Candidates were asked to keep their responses to approximately 300 words. Please visit our website at www.beachmetro.com for more information on the candidates.)

QUESTION 1: Please tell our readers a little bit about yourself and why you are running in this election?

There’s a lot at stake in this election. I’m running because I love our east end community and I believe in standing up for it, just like I believe in standing up for our country.

I’ve lived in the east end for almost 30 years. Before I was elected in 2015, I worked with local food banks, farmers markets, parks groups, and parent associations to make our community a better place.

When Mayor Rob Ford tried to shut down local services, like our school pools and libraries, we stood united and together, we won.

My focus is, and always has been, how to build a better city, support small businesses that keep our main streets vibrant, and make our east end strong.

When I was elected, I brought that focus to Ottawa. While there’s more still to be done, we have new affordable housing being built in our community, including new rental housing, more support for everyday costs thanks to programs like dental care and an enhanced OAS and GIS, and new green spaces including a park that will open this summer.

I’ve also worked with our local BIAs to improve our local streets with festivals, murals, and new public spaces like the Alexander the Great Parkette, all of which help bring people to explore our small businesses.

QUESTION 2: Why is your party and your party leader the best one to deal with the threats from U.S. President Donald Trump, and how will your party support Canadians impacted by tariffs and other American policies towards Canada?

This is no time for Conservative cuts or Pierre Polievre’s American-style politics. Mark Carney has the experience and responsible approach we need to support Canadians, protect our economy, and stand up to Donald Trump.

Being there with real support for those most impacted, tearing down interprovincial trade barriers and making significant investments in workers and the skilled trades are all important parts of how we address this unprecedented challenge.

As your local MP, I will be laser-focused on how these tariffs are impacting people and businesses in our community.

Throughout the pandemic, I made sure that your feedback was heard and included in the measures the government rolled out.

As we face this big challenge, I’m in your corner to advocate for what you need and how we stand together to weather this storm.

QUESTION 3: Beyond Canada’s relationship with the United States, what do you see as the next most important issue in this election and how will you and your party address it?

I’m a parent, so I know how much it matters to build a good future for our children.

As a longtime environmental advocate, I’m proud of what we’ve done to launch Canada’s largest-ever conservation efforts, bring our emissions down to their lowest levels in 27 years, make historic investments in public transportation, and ban harmful single-use plastics and microbeads.

As we look to what’s next, we have the opportunity to build a clean, competitive economy where big polluters pay their fair share and everyday families have green, affordable options.

With his experience as a global climate leader, I am confident that Mark Carney has the experience and vision to deliver real results as we fight climate change, protect nature, and leave a healthy planet for our kids and grandkids.