New Pathway – Ukrainian News.
Kinga Surma was elected MPP for Etobicoke Centre in the Ontario provincial election on June 7. The New Pathway – Ukrainian News spoke to Surma about her background and plans so that the riding’s Ukrainian Canadian community could find more about their new representative.
What is your background and main interests – professionally and personally?
I have experience at three levels of government. I began my professional career working at City Hall when the late Rob Ford was Mayor. It was during that time that I became engaged in politics and involved in the Etobicoke community. The wasteful spending that I witnessed first hand at the city level encouraged me to put my name forward and run provincially.
What are your priorities as an MPP?
My priorities are to always provide great customer service to my constituents (something that I learned from Rob). We need to restore faith in government and politicians. While canvassing over the last 2 years, many residents expressed frustration that their local representatives are not accessible. I hope to change that.
What are your priorities in the riding?
The two most pressing issues facing my constituents is transit expansion and additional support for seniors. I will be fighting to tunnel the Eglinton Crosstown to the airport so that our residents can finally have a fast and affordable method of transportation. I will also fight to ensure we provide more support for seniors who want to continue living at home and build more long term care beds for those that are not able to continue living at home.
What are your plans to boost the economic growth in Ontario?
I think the agenda that our Premier put forward during the election was a great one to boost economic growth. Ontario needs to be a place where businesses big and small can thrive. Lowering hydro rates, cutting red tape, eliminating the carbon tax and reducing corporate taxes will help. Our Premier has many years of business experience so I have full confidence that he will guide this province back to economic prosperity.
Do you have any familiarity with the Ukrainian Canadian community?
Throughout my candidacy, I’ve participated in many Ukrainian festivities, in particular in the celebration of the Vyshyvanka Day and in the 2018 Ukrainian Business Celebration in Mississauga. I have many Ukrainian residents in the riding and like all Ontarians, they want to see their hard earned money well spent, not wasted. My door will always be open to the Ukrainian community and I look forward to working on many great initiatives that are important to the residents of this riding.
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