York Centre Virtual Debate

Name: York Centre Virtual Debate
Start: 2025-02-12
End: 2025-02-12

The 2025 York Centre Virtual Election Debate
Hosted by B’nai Brith Canada

This month, Ontarians will head to the polls to elect a new Provincial Government to serve in the 44th Parliament of Ontario. This is a crucial opportunity for Ontario’s Jewish community and its allies to make their voices heard and actively contribute to the democratic process.

In advance of the Ontario Election, join us on Wednesday, Feb 12 at 7:00 PM ET, for an engaging, hour-long virtual election debate moderated by Richard Robertson, B’nai Brith Canada’s Director of Research and Advocacy, as Michael Kernzer of the PC Party of Ontario and Sam Nestico of the Ontario Liberal Party speak on key issues affecting Ontario’s Jewish community.

Don’t miss the opportunity to participate in this critical and timely conversation!

MICHAEL KERZNER – PC Party of Ontario

MICHAEL KERZNER – PC Party of Ontario Michael Kerzner has proudly called York Centre home for over 25 years, where he lives with his wife, Rochelle, and their three university-aged children. As a father, entrepreneur, and community leader, Michael understands the importance of building a stronger, safer, and more prosperous Ontario for the next generation.

Michael’s passion for creating opportunities stems from his experience in technology and bioscience, where he spent decades solving complex problems and driving innovation. He knows that a strong economy starts with good jobs and better opportunities for families, which is why he supports investing $200 billion in infrastructure—like roads, highways, and transit—and $2.5 billion to train over a million Ontarians in skilled trades.

As someone who has seen the challenges businesses face firsthand, Michael is deeply committed to protecting Ontario workers and their livelihoods. Whether it’s standing up against unfair trade tariffs or cutting red tape to help businesses thrive, he believes in doing whatever it takes to ensure Ontario remains competitive in the global economy.

Michael’s dedication to public safety and community well-being is deeply personal. As a parent, he understands the concerns families feel when it comes to keeping children safe. That’s why he is determined to protect families by banning drug injection sites near schools and daycares, addressing homelessness with investments in shelters, and clearing encampments from public parks to ensure public spaces remain welcoming for everyone.

He is equally committed to improving Ontario’s health care system. Having seen loved ones struggle to access primary care, Michael knows how vital it is to invest in family doctors and ensure every resident has access to the care they need. That’s why he supports $1.8 billion in new investments to connect more Ontarians with family doctors and primary care providers.

Michael’s vision for York Centre—and for Ontario—comes from his belief in creating a brighter future for all. Outside of his career, he has been recognized for his volunteer work and identified as a well-respected consensus team builder, having served actively and locally in many different organizations. He very much enjoys getting to know the diversity of York Centre and participating in interfaith programs that tie the fabric of the community together.

Michael likes to lead by example, is never afraid to take on a worthwhile project, and is never afraid to shy away from getting involved in supporting a great cause. He has a ‘can do’ attitude and is an empathetic, honest and selfless individual, true to the principles that guide him every day, “Service Over Self.”

By focusing on economic growth, public safety, and access to health care, Michael is working to build an Ontario where families can thrive, communities are safe, and every individual has the opportunity to succeed.

SAM NESTICO – Ontario Liberal Party

Sam Nestico was born to parents who immigrated from Soverato, Calabria, Italy, in 1960. They chose York Centre as their home, where Sam grew up learning the values of hard work and service. His first job as a paperboy allowed him to deliver The Toronto Star newspaper throughout our neighbourhood. Today, Sam continues to call York Centre home alongside his wife, Daniela, and their two children.

Understanding the importance of education, Sam’s parents always encouraged him to prioritize his studies. This dedication is reflected in his impressive academic achievements, which include a BA, MBA, CPA, and a recently obtained C.Dir (Chartered Director) certification.

Sam’s journey into public service began during his university years, where he was actively involved in student government and various volunteer opportunities. After graduating, he amassed a wealth of experience in business, holding positions such as Senior Accountant, Director of Finance, Financial Advisor, BMO Relationship Manager, and Vice President of Finance & Operations. His career culminated in a 15-year tenure as a Justice of the Peace on the Ontario Court of Justice bench before his retirement. Currently, he serves as the Chief Investment Officer for a property management company. Recognizing the importance of giving back to the community, Sam dedicates his time to various organizations and has been honoured with awards, including The Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Medal and the Canada 150 Exemplary Canadian Award.

Sam’s family, friends, and supporters admire his passion, intelligence, and unwavering commitment to justice. They view him as a true public servant dedicated to making a difference in the lives of others. His no-nonsense approach to justice has benefitted both him and the community. Sam’s key priorities are Health, Safety, Housing and Affordability, and Education.

He sees our community’s healthcare system in crisis, with emergency room wait times reaching 20 hours, a shortage of 12,000 nurses across Ontario. In York Centre, 19,359 people do not have a family doctor, almost 20% of our residents or 2 out of 10 people do not have a family doctor right now. Sam firmly believes that healthcare is a right, not a privilege, and he will fight to attract more doctors and nurses to York Centre while restoring funding to public healthcare. 

Housing affordability is another pressing issue for Sam. He understands that the current housing market is out of reach for many young people, including his children. As families are priced out of the neighbourhoods they love, Sam emphasizes the need for developers to be held accountable for providing affordable housing. 

Safety in York Centre is also a priority for Sam. With rising crime rates in divisions 31 and 32, including a 10% increase in robberies and carjackings, many residents feel unsafe in their neighbourhoods. Sam believes in investing in community programs and mental health services and addressing the root causes of violence.

Education has always been a core value for Sam’s family. Sam’s daughter is a teacher, and he sees the significant needs within our education system. Growing concerns around class sizes, a lack of support for students with special needs, cuts to programs like Special Education, and an overall teacher shortage all impact our children’s experiences and success. 

Having served the people of Ontario for 15 years to uphold fairness and integrity in our legal system, Sam is now ready to bring that experience to Queen’s Park. He believes York Centre deserves better and is committed to building a future that puts people first—one where healthcare is accessible, housing is affordable, schools are improved, and our streets are safer.

Tags: Ontario Election, election, 2025 Elections, Provincial Election

Date

Feb 12 2025

Expired!

Time

EST

7:00 pm

York Centre Virtual Debate

Date

Time

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