Note to Dippers: buy a calendar

Perhaps this is why the New Democrats seldom win elections -- they show up to vote two days late.

How else to explain the following NDP press release about the provincial by-election that is being held in Parkdale-High Park on Thursday, Sept. 14 and not on Saturday, Sept. 16.

Ethics Commissioner called on to review Sylvia Watson

TORONTO, Aug. 24 /NDP Provincial Secretary Diane O'Reggio will submit a complaint to David J. Mullan, Ethics Commissioner for the City of Toronto, calling on him to investigate possible breaches of the City's Ethics Code by Councillor Sylvia Watson in her campaign for a seat in the Ontario Legislature.

"We've received a number of complaints from constituents in Parkdale-High Park who feel that Sylvia Watson is using her City-funded website to promote her provincial campaign," said O'Reggio. "If an elected official is using public services to further their personal career instead of the public good it has to stop. The Ethics Commissioner is the authority on this so we're forwarding the matter to him."

A provincial by-election will be held in Parkdale-High Park on September 16. Sylvia Watson will be running for the Liberals led by Dalton McGuinty. On August 16, Sylvia Watson issued an e-newsletter to constituents about her campaign. She subsequently posted the same newsletter on her Councillor's website - provided by the City. The newsletter reads like campaign literature - listing Watson's political accomplishments, the date of the election, and announcing Watson's candidacy.

Toronto City Council's ethics code states: "No member shall use the facilities, equipment, supplies, services or other resources of the City (including Councillor newsletters) for any election campaign or campaign related activities."

"Toronto's Council has adopted strict rules to ensure that public funds aren't used for campaigning," said O'Reggio. "We're asking the Commissioner to ensure the rules are followed."