• Former Georgina Mayor Robert Grossi is running as the Liberal candidate for the York–Durham riding in the upcoming federal election.
  • Grossi is focused on economic growth, affordability, and housing, aligning with Liberal leader Mark Carney’s platform.
  • He is also calling for strategic trade diversification in response to U.S. tariff threats, and supports targeted innovation funding for local business resilience.
  • If elected, Grossi would advocate for municipal support through federal infrastructure grants to avoid offloading growth costs onto property taxpayers.
  • On climate change mitigation, he supports business-led solutions over consumer-focused levies.
  • He highlighted a commitment to universal healthcare, immigration aligned with community capacity, and progressing the shift of Pickering Airport lands to the Rouge National Urban Park.

 

Robert Grossi and his wife, Carolyn, have lived in Georgina for nearly 40 years and raised their two children in the community. Now, he’s hoping to represent the area federally as the Liberal candidate in the new York–Durham riding.

A former Georgina Councillor, five-term Mayor, and York Regional Councillor, Grossi brings more than two decades of experience in both lower- and upper-tier municipal governance.

“In every role, I’ve worked across party lines to deliver on infrastructure, economic growth, and community well-being,” he said of his time in office.

Bullet Point News asked the five registered York–Durham candidates to respond to a series of questions on major federal issues. Focusing on their platforms and how they will impact the riding, each candidate’s responses are being shared in the order received.

 

Party Leadership

Q: While Bullet Point News tends to focus on policy, we know there is a large percentage of voters who make their voting decision based on party leaders. What’s your pitch for yours? 

“Canada is at a crossroads. Families are feeling the pressure of rising costs, global uncertainty, and a rapidly changing economy. That’s why we need a leader with real-world experience, economic credibility, and the vision to build a more secure, sustainable, and fair future. That leader is Mark Carney.”

Tariffs & Trade

Q: How would your party deal with President Trump and his tariffs and economic threats, and what policies will you pursue to provide relief should the worst economic outcomes be realized?

“While we take threats from any foreign administration seriously, including potential tariffs from the U.S., we believe in diplomacy backed by strategic trade diversification. Under Prime Minister Mark Carney’s leadership, we’ve already got to work bolstering alliances with our friends in Europe and removing trade barriers between Canadian provinces.

Locally, we’ll support businesses through relief measures, innovation funding, and economic resiliency programs to mitigate external shocks while defending Canadian interests.”

The Economy & Job Growth

Q: What is your vision for developing Canada’s economy, and how would your party’s policies support job creation and innovation while ensuring benefits are distributed equitably across regions and demographics?

“Our economic vision centres around building together—building Canada strong. We’ve already announced huge investments to double the construction of affordable housing, as well as supporting trades needed to build those very homes. A Mark Carney-led government will continue to invest in advanced manufacturing, green technology, and digital innovation, which are all sectors that can thrive in our riding.

We support job creation through targeted tax credits for the middle class, upskilling programs, and partnerships with private industry. A strong economy must work for everyone, not just the few.”

Affordability & Inflation

Q: What specific policies would your party implement to help address affordability issues and provide relief while also addressing long-term fiscal and economic stability?

“The solution to building a resilient, equitable Canada is not cutting our budget to the bone, but rather building the future we envision. We want to provide tariff relief for Canadians, cut taxes for the middle class, and continue to support affordable child care, senior care, and health care.

Prime Minister Mark Carney is also focused on making life easier for Canadians by doubling construction of affordable housing. We’ve done this before, and we can do it again!”

The Housing Crisis

Q: What combination of federal policies are you and your party proposing to address both housing affordability and the need for supply in such a challenging macroeconomic environment?

“The housing crisis demands urgent, all-hands-on-deck action. The Liberal plan to double affordable home construction includes expediting review processes and reducing red tape. We’re going to get back in the business of building homes by providing funding and incentives to build quickly, and build efficiently.

We’re also going to leverage innovative Canadian-built modular homes that can be built faster and cheaper, and we’re going to get rid of GST on new home construction under $1 million.”

Supporting Municipalities

Q: What will your government do to support municipalities and ensure growth-related costs are not put onto existing property taxpayers?

“Municipalities shouldn’t be left holding the bag when it comes to funding growth, and a Mark Carney government has promised to reduce development fees and eliminate other barriers to building affordable homes.

I will work to ensure shortfalls don’t burden local taxpayers by expanding infrastructure funding and infrastructure investments. A Liberal government will prioritize grants—not just loans—for essential water, transit, and community housing infrastructure that supports new housing starts, while giving local governments more certainty and tools to manage growth responsibly.”

The Pickering Airport Lands

Q: Has there been any reconsideration of the Liberal’s decision to cancel the Pickering Airport and move a majority of the lands into the Rouge National Urban Park?

“Our plan has not changed. Canadians need and deserve access to protected public space, accessible by all rather than a few. I will continue to support its reassignment to the Rouge National Urban Park.”

Immigration

Q: What will immigration policy look like under a new Liberal government, and how will it balance economic growth objectives with potential impacts on Canada’s housing market?

“Immigration has always been a cornerstone of Canada’s success, with our ‘melting pot’ being core to our identity. It’s what allowed my grandparents to come to Canada over a hundred years ago and build an amazing life for their children.

The Liberal Party will maintain a balanced, sustainable immigration plan—one that aligns with labour market needs and community capacity. We must plan better, together, to ensure it supports rather than strains our communities.”

Climate Change

Q: With the consumer carbon tax now removed, what climate policies would you and your party champion that will drive down emissions without excess economic consequences?

“Climate change is perhaps the single largest challenge of our lives. However, we can’t solve this problem by punishing Canadian consumers. While full details of our plan will follow, Mark Carney has made it clear that businesses will pay their fair share, and that a Liberal government will fund the growth of innovative, high-tech solutions to move to a more sustainable solution.”

Healthcare

Q: What concrete steps would your party take to strengthen our healthcare system while respecting provincial jurisdiction, and how would your government make sure funding gets to where it is needed most to ensure improvements?

“Universal health care is a national treasure that a Mark Carney-led government is committed to strengthening. We oppose a two-tier system that would allow for the erosion of public care for the benefit of corporate interests, and will oppose that at every turn. We will continue to work with all levels of government to ensure this vision is supported.”

 

At the time of publishing, Bullet Point News had received responses from three York-Durham candidates: Robert Grossi of the Liberal Party of Canada, Matt Pearce of the Green Party of Canada, and Patricia Conlin of the People’s Party of Canada. NDP candidate Justin Graham has indicated his intention to participate, and no response has been received from Conservative candidate Jacob Mantle or his campaign.