About

History & Background Information:
Etobicoke-Lakeshore Electoral District Association (EDA)

The Etobicoke-Lakeshore Conservative Association was formed soon after the merger of the Canadian Alliance Party with the Progressive Conservative Party of Canada in 2004.  Its first leader was Stephen Harper, while the current leader Andrew Scheer was chosen in 2017 by Conservative members representing all 338 Electoral Districts across Canada.

The Etobicoke-Lakeshore Conservative Association’s primary purpose is to advance the conservative message within the Etobicoke-Lakeshore District and to be actively involved in preparing for upcoming federal elections. 

Activities include holding fundraising events to provide funds for staging election campaigns.  Also preparing for and staging Nomination Meetings at which Conservative Party members choose a candidate for upcoming federal elections.  For example, the last Nomination Meeting was held in March 2019 and over 200 conservative members chose Barry O’Brien to be the Conservative candidate in the October 21, 2019 election.

The boundaries of the electoral district of Etobicoke-Lakeshore are outlined in Appendix A along with an official map courtesy Elections Canada.

The association holds Annual General Meetings usually in March/April of each year.  At these AGMs a slate of members is selected to serve on the board. The President is then chosen at the new board’s first meeting.  The current president is Indira Bains.  See board list: Appendix B.

The Etobicoke-Lakeshore Conservative Association is also actively involved with policy development, a process that precedes the bi-annual National Policy conventions held in different centres across Canada.  The E-L EDA has sponsored many highly successful policy meetings and breakfasts at which many EDAs across the GTA send representatives.  These sessions have been successful in identifying policies that have been forwarded to the Party’s National Policy Committee.

Bi-Annual National Policy Conventions usually last 3 days.  They consist of several break-out sessions and a final Plenary Session at which all policies that make it to the floor are put to a vote by approximately 2500 party delegates.  The Party’s Policies are based upon the Party’s 25 Guiding Principles, see Appendix C.

Appendix A:

Boundaries description:  (Courtesy Elections Canada)
Consisting of that part of the City of Toronto described as follows: commencing at the intersection of the Humber River with Dundas Street West; thence southwesterly along said street to the Canadian Pacific Railway; thence southerly along said railway to Mimico Creek; thence generally northwesterly along said creek to Kipling Avenue; thence southerly along said avenue to Bloor Street West; thence westerly along said street to Highway No. 427; thence southerly along said highway to Dundas Street West; thence westerly along said street to the westerly limit of the City of Toronto; thence generally southerly and north-easterly along the westerly and southerly limits of said city to the southeasterly production of the Humber River; thence generally northwesterly along said production and the Humber River to the point of commencement.

Appendix B:

2019-2020 Board of Directors

Barry O'Brien
Indira Bains
Bernard Trottier
Denis Tsarev
Khrystyna Kulyasa
Larry Kent
Charles Donley
Elizabeth Hoyle
Daniel Semmler
Victor Soler
JP Roman
Tim Dobson
John Capobianco
Jason Hickman
Becky Hilton
Kelly O'brien
Shelly Semmler
Oleg Zakala

Appendix C:

Founding Principles the Conservative Party are guided in its constitutional framework and its policy basis by the following principles:

  • A balance between fiscal accountability, progressive social policy and individual rights and responsibilities;
  • Build a national coalition of people who share these beliefs and who reflect the regional, cultural and socio-economic diversity of Canada;
  • Develop this coalition, embracing our differences and respecting our traditions, yet honoring a concept of Canada as the greater sum of strong parts;
  • The Conservative Party will operate in a manner accountable and responsive to itsmembers;
  • A belief in loyalty to a sovereign and united Canada governed in accordance with the Constitution of Canada, the supremacy of democratic parliamentary institutions and the rule of law;
  • A belief in the equality of all Canadians;
  • A belief in the freedom of the individual, including freedom of speech, worship and assembly;
  • A belief in our constitutional monarchy, the institutions of Parliament and the democratic process;
  • A belief in the federal system of government as the best expression of the diversity of our country, and in the desirability of strong provincial and territorial governments;
  • A belief that English and French have equality of status, and equal rights and privileges as to their use in all institutions of the Parliament and Government of Canada;
  • A belief that the best guarantors of the prosperity and well-being of the people of Canada are:
    The freedom of individual Canadians to pursue their enlightened and legitimate self-interest within a competitive economy;
  • The freedom of individual Canadians to enjoy the fruits of their labour to the greatest possible extent; and
  • The right to own property;
  • A belief that a responsible government must be fiscally prudent and should be limited to those responsibilities which cannot be discharged reasonably by the individual or others;
  • A belief that it is the responsibility of individuals to provide for themselves, their families and their dependents, while recognizing that government must respond to those who require assistance and compassion;
  • A belief that the purpose of Canada as a nation state and its government, guided by reflective and prudent leadership, is to create a climate wherein individual initiative is rewarded, excellence is pursued, security and privacy of the individual is provided and prosperity is guaranteed by a       free competitive market economy;
  • A belief that Canada should continue its strong heritage of national defence, supporting a well- armed military, honouring those who serve, and promoting our history and traditions;
  • A belief that the quality of the environment is a vital part of our heritage to be protected by each generation for the next;
  • A belief that Canada should accept its obligations among the nations of the world;
  • A belief that Canadian Jurisdiction extends beyond the coastline to include the internationally recognized regions of the Territorial Sea, Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and Continental       Shelf;
  • A belief that good and responsible government is attentive to the people it represents and has representatives who at all times conduct themselves in an ethical manner and display integrity, honesty and concern for the best interest of all;
  • A belief that all Canadians should have reasonable access to quality health care regardless of their ability to pay; and
  • A belief that the greatest potential for achieving social and economic objectives is under a global trading regime that is free and fair.