Family dynasties play a big part in Ontario's municipal election campaigns.
A lifelong resident of Meadowvale, Reid has long harboured ambitions of one day becoming the community’s voice on council.But for many years his path was effectively blocked by a popular incumbent who has represented the ward for more than three decades. Reid, for what it’s worth, says that part of his reason for waiting this long was because he thought that councillor –Pat Saito - was doing a good job and “didn’t want to step on toes.
Reid, who runs a health and wellness business, told CP24.com that he “heard rumblings” that McCallion would enter the race so wasn’t shocked when he signed up on the last day of the nomination period on Aug. 19. “When I talk with people they're excited to see me, they're excited to have a face-to-face conversation with a candidate and they're excited to see someone who was homegrown who went to the schools in this area, who's worked at the DAM , who has worked with young people in this area,” he said.
Siemiatycki said it is important to remember that first-time candidates who benefit from a well known family name “aren’t necessarily unqualified, inept or incapable.”