In the lead up to the 2021 Canadian federal election, CJRU reached out to each candidate running in the Toronto Centre riding.

Marci Ien is the incumbent Liberal MP for Toronto Centre seeking re-election. She won the riding's byelection with 42 per cent of the vote on Oct.26, 2020.

Ien replaced former Liberal finance minister Bill Morneau, who resigned on Aug.17, 2020 and left the riding's seat vacant.

One the key issues driving Ien’s platform is addressing the vulnerable communities of Toronto Centre, especially as Canadians continue to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic.

These groups include women, the youth and the LGBTQ2+ communities, according to Ien.

In a Sept.2 all-candidates debate hosted by the X University Democratic Engagement Exchange, Ien outlined the initiatives the Liberals' introduced during the pandemic.

"When it comes to the government, our government, having the backs of the people of Toronto Centre and Canada, we have - whether it's CERB[Canadian Emergency Response Benefit], whether it's wage benefits, whether it's child benefits," Ien said.

In addition to these initiatives, Ien and the Liberals plan to introduce $10 per day licensed childcare for families, which was one of the party's main promises throughout the campaign.

During the debate, Ien commented on changing the name of Ryerson University and removing the colonial legacy of Egerton Ryerson, the school's namesake who helped establish Canada's residential school system.

"I absolutely agree that the name should change," Ien said. "I've said it before and I will say it again - it represents trauma."

Before entering politics, Ien was a journalist for CTV and longtime resident of Toronto Centre's St. Jamestown. She is also a graduate of Ryerson's RTA (radio and television arts) and media program.

Toronto Centre has been a Liberal strong hold and safe seat since 1993, with notable candidates including Morneau, Bob Rae and Chrystia Freeland preceding Ien.

Listen to CJRU's full episode on Marci Ien: