Veteran journalist and former TTC driver Bruce Livesey to run for Greens in Beaches—East York

The Green Party of Canada has chosen veteran investigative journalist and former TTC bus driver Bruce Livesey as its candidate in the upcoming federal by-election in Beaches—East York.

Livesey won a nomination contest held by the local electoral district association, according to a Green Party of Canada news release. Toronto voters in the riding head to the polls on August 31, after former Liberal MP Nathaniel Erskine-Smith resigned his seat.

From the driver's seat to the campaign trail

Livesey has deep roots in the east-end Toronto riding, having worked as a TTC bus driver and spent more than 40 years as an investigative reporter, television and radio producer, newspaper and magazine writer and bestselling author.

"When I worked for the TTC, I transported thousands of Beaches—East York residents to their homes, workplaces and local shops," said Livesey. "I am running because I care deeply about making their lives better and delivering practical solutions to the problems they face."

Livesey said affordability for working Canadians will be at the centre of his campaign. His stated priorities include free public transit, expanding social and co-operative housing to bring down rents, helping households and businesses cut their energy bills, and supporting community-owned, non-profit grocery stores.

"People are paying too much for housing, transportation, food and energy while wealthy corporations report record profits," said Livesey. "Governments have the power to lower everyday costs by taxing the oil and gas industry's excess profits and investing that money in the public services people rely on."

He also said he will campaign for well-paying jobs in renewable energy and Canadian manufacturing as the country shifts away from fossil fuels.

"The Liberals and Conservatives have spent years serving Big Oil and the billionaire class while working people struggle with rising costs. Greens are offering a different direction: make affordability a priority, take serious action on the climate crisis and create good jobs building the future Canada needs." — Bruce Livesey, in a Green Party of Canada news release

An award-winning journalism career

According to the Green Party, Livesey's reporting has appeared in The Globe and Mail, the Toronto Star, The Guardian, The Walrus and the Financial Post. He spent six years as an associate producer at CBC's The Fifth Estate, later produced investigations for The National and CBC News Sunday, and worked on investigative reports for Global Television's 16×9 as well as international productions with PBS, The New York Times and National Public Radio.

His honours include a National Newspaper Award, two National Magazine Awards and a duPont Award. His bestselling book, Thieves of Bay Street, examined fraud in Canada's financial industry and was nominated for an Arthur Ellis Award for best nonfiction crime book.

Green Party Leader Elizabeth May welcomed the nomination, saying in the release that Canadians can "expect honesty, integrity and a depth of knowledge that leaves other candidates scrambling for a place to stand." Livesey was born in Vancouver and grew up in Fredericton, New Brunswick. He has lived in Toronto since 1982.