They are downtown Toronto progressives who agree on many things but very much disagree on who should represent them in Ottawa.

The bitter Spadina-Fort York fight between incumbent MP Adam Vaughan, a left-leaning Liberal, and NDP star Olivia Chow is splitting residents who could normally co-organize a community garden.

The Star talked to a Vaughan supporter, community activist Ceta Ramkhalawansingh — a retired City of Toronto senior staffer appointed by council to be Ward 20 councillor for four months after Vaughan quit to run federally — and Chow supporter Wade Ireland, secretary-treasurer of Unifor Local 2002, which primarily represents airline and airport workers.

Ramkhalawansingh

Age: 63

Lives in: The Grange Park neighbourhood near Queen West

First met Vaughan: About 20 years ago through his late father, Colin, whom she knew from campaigns including halting the Spadina Expressway.

Political affiliation: A “progressive independent”

Why she supports Vaughan: “When Adam was elected as councillor for our ward, to replace Olivia (in 2006), there was a sea change in terms of paying attention to the ward, of being innovative in terms of dealing with development issues. He pushed to have three-bedroom condos for families, he got 10 per cent of the Section 37 (community benefits) funds to go to rehabilitating social housing . . . Adam set up a pre-application process so, before developers would spend millions of dollars on working drawings and file and application, they would meeting with neighbours first. Developers heard what the communities had to say and in many instances developments were changed or modified, and developers liked the certainty of knowing what they are going to face. When Adam ran federally I was disappointed because he was good for the ward, but he can emulate that success at the federal level because it’s about listening to what your constituents have to say.”

Why she is not voting for Chow: “Olivia really only seemed to be interested in social services” on city council and did not properly support residents fighting developers, sometimes getting council to agree with settlements many residents opposed, she said. “I’m just extremely puzzled that she hasn’t been able to see life beyond elected politics. Others, like Stephen Lewis and Ed Broadbent, have become important community leaders.”

What she is doing: Put the first Vaughan campaign sign on her lawn and helping to collect endorsements for him.

Ireland

Age: 56

Lives in: Harbour Square condominiums near the foot of Bay St.

First met Chow: Six or seven years ago at Pride, when she was with her late husband Jack Layton, then the federal NDP leader. “They were such an amazing team.”

Political affiliation: NDP supporter

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Why he supports Chow: “She’s a strong activist for change and for helping the working people of this country. She’s strong on immigration, she’s strong on so many fronts … I’m hoping the NDP will form the government and she will be in cabinet. The Conservatives believe that if big business does well it will make everyone else do better but it’s not the case, it does not trickle down. Olivia and the NDP believe business has to do well, but you also have to respect and reward the workers. I’ve always seen her fight for the workers. She fought the Harper government on Bill 377 (forcing unions to disclose finances and spending). The NDP stands up and fights for what’s right, and that’s a strong factor for me. She’s tireless and I don’t know how she does it. She just never stops and she shows up on her bike, she’s so environmentally conscious it’s amazing . . . She was an MP for so many years and I respect that she did the right thing by stepping down to run for mayor of Toronto. I have absolutely no qualms about her going back again. I’m excited that she’s hopefully going back (to Ottawa) again.”

Why he is not voting for Vaughan: “I’ll be honest, I don’t know much about him at this point. I don’t think the Liberals are ready for (governing) again. The two parties (NDP are Liberals) are close, I’m sure, in some ways with their philosophy, with a few fundamental differences. I hate to say this, but I can’t see (Liberal Leader) Justin (Trudeau) as a Prime Minister at this point. You know where the Conservatives and the NDP are. The Liberals are somewhere in the middle and I’m uncertain, if they got in power, what they would do.”

What he is doing: “Whatever I can. I’m extremely busy but I’ll find time to canvass for Olivia. Whenever she calls on me, I’ll be there.”