Fantino’s former opponent now a supporterQuote:
OTTAWA—A former Liberal candidate in the Vaughan federal byelection has turned his back on the party and thrown his support to Conservative candidate Julian Fantino.
In a stunning defection, Tony Genco issued an open letter in a local newspaper decrying a federal Liberal party that is “adrift,” nostalgic about “past glory” and ill-suited to lead the modern Canada.
Genco lost a byelection race last November by 964 votes to the former Toronto and Ontario Provincial Police chief, who was immediately named to Conservative cabinet as secretary of state for seniors.
Genco was recently replaced as the Liberal party’s candidate by Vaughan regional councillor Mario Ferri. Reports suggest that Genco was shut out of the race to become the candidate for the May 2 election.
Genco’s letter lists off the millions of dollars in federal cash Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s government showered on Vaughan since the byelection as proof that “Julian Fantino has delivered for the people of Vaughan.”
Those include grants and budget promises for seniors and $10-million for the Vaughn Health Campus of Care.
He said he was “extremely skeptical” about what Fantino would be able to deliver for residents of the riding.
“However, I was even more astounded that Julian was able to make the case to the federal government so quickly,” he wrote.
In an interview, a jovial Fantino said he wasn’t surprised to have picked up Genco’s support after reading the rationale in his letter.
“I welcome him, we welcome him, and we welcome any other Liberal member that wants to join the Harper team,” he said.
A Liberal party statement said it was “disappointed” with Genco’s decision, and said he would have to explain his various criticisms of the Conservative party and Fantino leveled just four months ago.
http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/politics/article/965969--fantino-s-former-opponent-now-a-supporter?bn=1
CKA Elite 
