Michael Laxer
Michael Laxer | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1970 Canada |
| Occupation(s) | Activist, politician, bookseller |
| Years active | 2000–present |
| Known for | Chair of the Socialist Party of Ontario; candidate for New Democratic Party and Toronto City Council |
Michael Laxer (born 1970) is a Canadian activist engaged in politics and a past chair of the Socialist Party of Ontario.
Background
Living in Long Branch, Etobicoke, Toronto, Laxer and his spouse managed the sole independent used bookstore in south Etobicoke until they ceased its physical operations in 2015, transitioning to an online platform. He is the son of political scientist and author James Laxer and the grandson of Robert Laxer.
Politics
Laxer stood as a candidate for the New Democratic Party (NDP) during the 2000 federal election in Scarborough—Agincourt and again in the 2003 provincial election for Scarborough Centre. He also contested seats on Toronto City Council representing Ward 6 (Etobicoke-Lakeshore) in both 2010 and 2014.
In 2008, he challenged the Ontario NDP's leadership race entry fee of $15,000, contending it restricted access to party insiders with substantial financial support. He initiated the Ginger Project to encourage the Ontario NDP to formulate a detailed policy platform and prioritize widespread voter outreach over focusing solely on marginal constituencies. Through an open letter addressed to NDP leader Andrea Horwath, Laxer recommended abandoning the "push to win" approach in favor of ensuring every local riding association could connect with all households during election campaigns.
Due to concerns regarding the cancellation of a policy convention and suppression of left-wing perspectives, Laxer departed from the NDP in 2011. Between 2011 and 2012, he acted as one of two official spokespersons before becoming chairperson of the Socialist Party of Ontario.
As part of his social activism, Laxer opposes men's rights organizations, viewing them as antagonistic to feminist principles. In 2015, he actively opposed their participation in Toronto's LGBT Pride parade, arguing that including such groups would legitimize misogynistic attitudes.
Election results
| 2014 Toronto election, Ward 6 | ||
| Candidate | Votes | % |
|---|---|---|
| Mark Grimes | 11,337 | 43.96 |
| Russ Ford | 8,791 | 34.08 |
| Tony Vella | 2,718 | 10.54 |
| Miroslaw Jankielewicz | 1,114 | 4.32 |
| Sean O'Callaghan | 501 | 1.94 |
| Peggy Moulder | 398 | 1.54 |
| Michael Laxer | 305 | 1.18 |
| Everett Sheppard | 221 | 0.86 |
| Ruthmary James | 169 | 0.66 |
| Robert Sysak | 90 | 0.35 |
| John Letonja | 84 | 0.33 |
| Dave Searle | 64 | 0.25 |
| Total | 25,792 | 100.00 |
| 2010 Toronto election, Ward 6 | ||
| Candidate | Votes | % |
|---|---|---|
| Mark Grimes | 12,228 | 60.4 |
| Jem Cain | 5,847 | 28.9 |
| Michael Laxer | 717 | 3.5 |
| Wendell Brereton | 605 | 3.0 |
| Cecilia Luu | 466 | 2.3 |
| David Searle | 375 | 1.9 |
| Total | 20,238 | 100 |
External links
- Campaign site for Michael Laxer's 2014 Ward 6 City Council run
- The Left Chapter Blog maintained by Michael Laxer
- Michael Laxer's Blog hosted on rabble.ca
- 1970 births
- 21st-century Canadian businesspeople
- 21st-century Canadian politicians
- Activists from Toronto
- Businesspeople from Toronto
- Canadian activists
- Canadian booksellers
- Canadian socialists
- Candidates in the 2000 Canadian federal election
- Living people
- Ontario municipal politicians
- Ontario New Democratic Party candidates in Ontario provincial elections
- Ontario political party leaders
- People from Etobicoke
- Politicians from Toronto