It's a fait accompli, says conventional wisdom. Toronto Liberal circles are abuzz with speculation about which cabinet post Premier Dalton McGuinty has in store for Glen Murray.
Overwhelmingly, Liberals expect Murray - ex-mayor of Winnipeg, and Toronto arriviste - to glide to victory in the Feb. 4 by-election in Toronto Centre, a so-called "safe seat" vacated by George Smitherman to run for mayor. Murray, who moved here in 2004, reportedly had a yen to run for mayor himself before deciding on Toronto Centre.
There is, however, one small problem - slight as it may be - with the idea the race is in the bag. Supporters of NDP candidate Cathy Crowe insist provincial Liberals are missing a groundswell of public discontent in Toronto Centre, over issues that include the upcoming harmonized sales tax and growing social problems. McGuinty is out of touch, they say, and Toronto Centre will prove it.
Linda Diebel, [url=http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/article/758023--street-nurse-cathy-crowe..."Street Nurse Cathy Crowe takes Toronto Centre's pulse,"[/url] Toronto Star, January 30, 2010.