Paul Szabo
Liberal
Click here to view video
Paul Szabo is a chartered accountant by profession, and he may be crunching numbers well into the evening on election night.
The 60-year-old incumbent of Mississauga South, won the 2006 election by just 2,130 votes, or four per cent, over Conservative candidate Phil Green.
Many political insiders say his seat could be up for grabs come Oct. 14. But Szabo, a married father of three, believes his political track record will help him come out victorious next month.
He was first elected to the House of Commons as a Liberal MP in 1993 and was re-elected in 1997, 2000, 2004 and 2006. During his parliamentary career, he has introduced more than 40 Private Member Bills and Motions emphasizing health outcomes of children and taxation of the Canadian family and seniors. One of his initiatives successfully amended the criminal code to provide stiffer sentences for the abusers of women or children. His Bill C-204 to double maternity and parental leave employment insurance benefits to a full year was also adopted by the government.
Szabo has been active in government committees over the past 15 years.
From October 2004 to November 2005, he was Vice Chair of the Standing Committee on Government Operations and Estimates. He is currently Chair of the Ethics Committee.
Hugh Arrison
Conservative
Click here to view video
Having raised seven children, Hugh Arrison knows that responsibilities shouldn't be taken lightly, whether they relate to family, business or the government.
"Growing up on an Alberta ranch, I learned early that with freedom comes responsibility. I apply that philosophy to everything I do," he said. "In school and then through university, I was very active in sports and extra-curricular activities. I learned to balance hard work, family and community responsibilities.
Arrison hopes a seat in parliament will be a part of that balancing act on Oct. 14.
Judging from his resume, Arrison, president and CEO of Allstrategic Financial Corporation, is a proven leader.
He spent 30 years at Canada Life Financial, where he became the vice president of the entire Canadian division. During his stay there, Arrison said he managed to turn a $20 million loss into a $10 million profit in two years.
And, Arrison is no stranger to community involvement.
"I had lots of support growing up and I believe in giving back to the community," he said. "This is why I’ve worked with dozens of organizations—everything from Boy Scouts to the Oakridge Ratepayers Association — and have always tried to mentor emerging new leaders."
Matt Turner
NDP
Click here to view video
If Matt Turner isn't helping constituents as a member of parliament after Oct. 14, he may be helping them in other ways in the not-so-distant furture.
The 19-year-old NDP candidate for Mississauga South plans to become a nurse and is in his first year of practical nursing at Loyalist College.
Turner, an Erindale Secondary School graduate, will need a miracle to win the Mississauga South seat, with the race for top spot being between the Liberal and Conservative candidates.
But, Turner hopes his running for office will have a positive impact on high schoolers and older teens.
"I feel that youth should get more involved in politics," he said. "I also believe that all youth should exercise their franchise, because many citizens, even in the free world lose their franchise."
Turner can talk at length about politics and has spearheaded several peace rallies in Mississauga. He is a volunteer with St. John Ambulance Mississauga and the Navy League of Canada.
Richard Laushway
Green Party
Click here to view video
Richard Laushway is a member of the Green Party of Canada, so his message may seem a little shocking.
"I don't think the environment is going to be the number one message from me. The very first word out of my mouth isn't going to be about the environment," the 36-year-old married father of a four-year-old boy said. "I think it's important, but I don't think people are going to listen to the Green Party if they think we're going to take jobs away or cripple the economy."
Laushway said improving the economy and making family doctors more accessible, are also key issues in his riding as the federal election nears.
Originally from Brockville, Laushway and his family have lived in Mississauga South, near Dixie Mall, for the past six years.
Laushway is currently Server Operations Manager with RBC Financial Group. He previously worked as a senior analyst with Sun Life Financial's core server team. He also has a business on the side, Blue Sphere Power Ltd., a renewable energy firm that he started in 2005.
Laushway has also been active in his community. He helped rally the community against power plant developments within one kilometre of residential and school zones and was part of Mississauga South’s Litter Not and Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup initiatives.
