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Nov 12,2006 - Nov 19,2006 |
Linda Jackson and The Toronto Star
"It is not against Italian-Canadian"
By Luigi De Biase
Linda Jackson values the Toronto Star's endorsement and boils over when forced to acknowledge that her mother Lorna, mayor of Vaughan for more than 20 years, faced protests for her connections to the developers' world. The election that could define a new administrative profile for the City above Toronto is closer than ever, but Jackson seems torn between two irreconcilable inclinations: she doesn't condemn the Star but doesn't want to lose the Italian-Canadian vote. She's asking for a change in Vaughan but can't turn away from Di Biase's projects.
The Toronto Star picked you as its favourite candidate in the Vaughan election. Do you think that having the support of a big newspaper like the Star will be important?
"I think it's important, but I think that having that support of the community I represent is even more important."
You probably know that the Italian-Canadian community is upset with the Star. Some people think its editorials are controversial, at least, and some say they're discriminatory. Do you have the same feeling?
"It's unfortunate that they feel that way, but I don't want to talk about the Star and the comments within the community. I think it would be unproductive."
Do you share the Star's comments?
"Let me tell you this. Italians are passionate people. I live in Woodbridge; my brother is married to an Italian and my father is engaged to an Italian. I understand their passion for the community because I grew up with them and I married one, so I understand what they say but I think it's important to go back and focus on the campaign. I think it's difficult but I totally understand where they're coming from, because I grew up in the community."
So your opinion of Italians is different from the Star's.
"I love the Italian community. I've chosen to live in Woodbridge, and most of my friends are Italian."
So what did you feel when the newspaper that is against Italians picked you?
"I don't think they're against. I don't feel that way."
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