Although another federal election has yet to be announced, veteran Toronto singer-songwriter Andrew Cash has already cast his hat into the ring. Cash stated in a recent press release that he will run as the NDP candidate for Toronto's Davenport riding, and will formally kick off his campaign with a public gathering on Monday (October 5) at the New Horizons Auditorium (1140 Bloor St. W), starting at 7 p.m.
Cash's decision to enter politics is hardly surprising; his social activism has always been prevalent in his music, dating back to the early 1980s and his first band L'Etranger. His close friend and band-mate from that time, Charlie Angus, became an NDP candidate in the 2004 election, and has served as the MP for Timmins-James Bay since then. Over the past two decades, Cash has also written extensively on social justice issues as a journalist for Toronto's Now Magazine.
Cash will undoubtedly face a tough battle for Davenport, which covers a large portion of Toronto's downtown west end, and has long been a Liberal stronghold. The late Charles Caccia, a strong environmentalist and friend of Pierre Trudeau, held the seat from 1968 to 2004. He was succeeded by current MP and Opposition Foreign Affairs Critic Mario Silva.
However, Cash has already received a few high profile endorsements, including from the Tragically Hip's Gordon Downie, who stated in Cash's press release, "Andrew knows and understands the 'real Toronto.' He will present a steady and articulate vision for the city and its place, alongside every other 'real' community in this country."
Cash's decision to enter politics is hardly surprising; his social activism has always been prevalent in his music, dating back to the early 1980s and his first band L'Etranger. His close friend and band-mate from that time, Charlie Angus, became an NDP candidate in the 2004 election, and has served as the MP for Timmins-James Bay since then. Over the past two decades, Cash has also written extensively on social justice issues as a journalist for Toronto's Now Magazine.
Cash will undoubtedly face a tough battle for Davenport, which covers a large portion of Toronto's downtown west end, and has long been a Liberal stronghold. The late Charles Caccia, a strong environmentalist and friend of Pierre Trudeau, held the seat from 1968 to 2004. He was succeeded by current MP and Opposition Foreign Affairs Critic Mario Silva.
However, Cash has already received a few high profile endorsements, including from the Tragically Hip's Gordon Downie, who stated in Cash's press release, "Andrew knows and understands the 'real Toronto.' He will present a steady and articulate vision for the city and its place, alongside every other 'real' community in this country."
