Friday, 9 December 2011, 23:57

(Prof. Craig Scott is an Advisory Council member of Sri Lanka Campaign for Justice and Peace (http://www.srilankacampaign.org/advisorycouncilb.htm) and he is a good friend of Canadian Tamil Congress / Tamil Canadian community (like Jack Layton). A champion of Human Rights, Prof Scott has participated and supported many of our community’s efforts/campaigns. )

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DECEMBER 9, 2011

IN TORONTO-DANFORTH
Osgoode Law Professor supported by high-profile activists

TORONTO –Craig Scott, a Professor at Osgoode Hall Law School who has dedicated his career to fighting for human rights and social justice announced today he is seeking the NDP nomination for the upcoming by-election in Toronto-Danforth.

“I have spent my career fighting for social justice at home, and abroad. Now I want to continue Jack Layton’s legacy of fighting for social justice in Parliament,” said Scott, a long-time Riverdale resident.

Scott also announced that Janet Solberg, former President of the Ontario NDP, would chair his nomination committee.

“As a New Democrat and a resident of Toronto-Danforth, I would be proud to have Craig Scott as my Member of Parliament,” said Solberg. “I believe Craig Scott is the best candidate to continue Jack Layton’s legacy of fighting for a Canada where no one is left behind.”

Scott was joined by prominent members of Canada’s progressive movement.

Charles Taylor, Professor of Philosophy at McGill University and long-time New Democrat activist, declared his support for Scott’s candidacy. “It is heartening to see someone of the calibre of Craig Scott entering politics,” Taylor said. “He will make a valuable contribution to the NDP caucus in Ottawa, as well as to the creation of our first NDP federal government after the next election."

“We need people like Craig who are driven by a sense of possibility – a sense that it is possible to face the challenges before us, so that our world today and for future generations can be both just and livable,” said James Orbinski, Chair of Global Health at University of Toronto’s Munk School of Global Affairs. “That world won’t arrive without a different kind of politics, and Craig will, I believe, step forward as one in whom we can trust and with whom we will want to work for more resilient and healthy communities here in Canada and internationally.”

Civil society leaders in Canada, such as Alex Neve, Secretary-General of Amnesty International (Canada), have also expressed admiration for Craig Scott’s commitment to rights and justice. “I have known Craig Scott as a valued human rights colleague for the past fifteen years,” said Neve. “He has constantly inspired me with his willingness to take up causes overlooked by others, and his readiness to take a stand for human rights even when the issues may be complex or unpopular.”

“No one can ever replace Jack Layton,” concluded Scott. “But I would be honoured to continue his fight for social justice both here in Toronto-Danforth, and in Parliament.”

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For more information, please contact:
Sam Spady, Craig Scott Nomination Campaign, 647-876-1096 or craigscottndp@gmail.com