BY: Downsview Advocate

As the 2023 Toronto municipal election approaches, the residents of Canada's largest city have the opportunity to shape the future of their communities. With a diverse range of candidates vying for the position of mayor, it is essential for voters to be informed about the individuals running for this crucial role. Understanding their backgrounds, platforms, and visions for Toronto is vital in making an informed decision at the ballot box.

Voting is not only a fundamental right but also a civic responsibility. It allows citizens to actively participate in the democratic process and have a say in the governance of their city. The outcome of the municipal election can significantly impact various aspects of everyday life, from housing affordability and transportation infrastructure to social services and environmental sustainability. By exercising their right to vote, Torontonians have the power to shape the direction and priorities of their city for years to come.

The Downsview Advocate has compiled a profile of front runners (Forum Research poll, May 29) and local candidates, be sure to read the full article and disclaimer on candidate information and visit www.toronto.ca/city-government/elections/by-election/by-election-candidate-list/ for the full list of candidates.

Olivia Chow

Olivia Chow is a long-standing figure in politics, having served as a Member of Parliament and a city councillor in Toronto.
Chow is known for her progressive stance on various issues and has a reputation for being a champion of social justice and equity, advocating for marginalized communities and addressing income inequality.
Olivia’s campaign emphasizes the need for accessible and affordable housing and childcare, including increased support for tenants and transit riders.
Chow has highlighted the need to increase investments in public services and infrastructure, through an expansion to public transportation, more bike lanes, and the opening of libraries seven days a week.
Olivia aims to fund these issues through the implementation of various taxation strategies, including a luxury homes tax and a vacant homes tax.
Chow is committed to securing local jobs for Toronto residents and strengthening our local democracy by not utilizing the increased “strong mayor” powers.
Olivia supports the city’s vibrant cultural scene. She supports an Ontario Place that is open to the public and opposes the demolition of the Ontario Science Centre.

Source: https://www.oliviachow.ca/plan

Brad Bradford

Former urban planner and city councillor Brad Bradford aims to solve the issues that he has seen fail to be addressed through city hall.
Bradford’s campaign emphasizes increasing the speed of housing construction, combating gridlock with a congestion relief commissioner, and the hiring of 68 new police officers to enforce bail conditions.
Brad is committed to ensuring maximum results from the use of tax dollars by ensuring that public services are held accountable.
As opposed to increasing taxation, Bradford will employ contractors that have non-unionized workers or those not under a city agreement with major trade unions to fill Toronto’s $1-billion budget gap.
Brad is prepared to use the strong-mayor powers to advance his agenda.

Source: https://www.votebradford.ca/

Ana Bailão

Former city councillor Ana Bailão is prepared to support Torontonians with her plans
Ana’s campaign aims to establish reliable and sustainable funding from the provincial and federal governments to fill the $1.5 billion budget gap.
Bailão is committed to ensuring the province covers maintenance costs for the Don Valley Parkway and Gardiner Expressway, despite Doug Ford’s repeated rejection.
Ana is committed to ensuring property taxes remain at their current levels or below the inflation rate, as she believes that the city cannot utilize taxes to solve the budget deficit.
Bailão’s campaign emphasizes the need for affordable housing. She aims to combat this by beginning construction on affordable housing, re-evaluating construction contracts if progress is slow, and allowing eight and 10-storey buildings on major bus routes.

Source: https://anabailao.ca/

Mitzie Hunter

Hunter is a former Scarborough-Guildwood Liberal MPP and released a “Fix the Six” election platform
Mitzie Hunter's campaign pledges to deliver 108 new midrise buildings on city land, providing a total of 22,700 units. Among these, over 16,500 units would be purpose-built rentals, with nearly 70% offered at or below the current market rate.
All units on city land would be subject to rent controls, ensuring affordability for residents.
Hunter emphasizes the need to address the deterioration of citywide services, such as the TTC, to ensure their improvement and effective functioning.
Hunter proposes a property tax increase of six percent for 2024 and 2025, resulting in an approximate $216 increase in the average household's bill next year. However, for low- and middle-income homeowners earning less than $80,000 annually, the increase would be limited to three percent.
Hunter intends to establish a new Toronto Affordable Housing Corporation to make public land available for the construction of 108 new developments within six years of assuming office.
Hunter prioritizes youth programs and plans to invest in community partners focusing on mental health, homelessness, and addressing the underlying causes of violence.

Source: https://www.mitzieformayor.ca/

Josh Matlow

Matlow has served as a city councillor for the Toronto-St. Paul's ward since 2010.
Matlow's platform includes addressing the pressing housing and homelessness issues in Toronto by allocating $407.6 million towards reducing housing costs, providing support for homeless individuals, and developing livable neighborhoods with essential amenities such as childcare, schools, infrastructure, and parks.
Matlow proposes an annual investment of $200 million to ensure that Toronto fulfills its commitment to becoming a net-zero city by 2040
Matlow's plan involves reversing the TTC cuts and restoring service to pre-pandemic levels, making it more convenient for residents and their families to navigate the city.
Matlow's proposal includes rebuilding the deteriorating 2.4 kilometers of the elevated highway east of Jarvis Street at ground level. This initiative aims to redirect $568 million towards addressing other urgent priorities

Source: https://www.votematlow.ca/platform

Mark Saunders

Mark Saunders is the former Chief of the Toronto Police Service
Saunders advocates for the removal of existing bike lanes on University Avenue, reversing the decision to make the Yonge Street bike lanes permanent, scaling back the expansion plans for the Bloor Street West bike lane, and putting a pause on other bike lane expansion projects.
He is committed to ensuring that property tax increases remain at or below the rate of inflation, providing stability for residents.
As mayor, Saunders envisions financing the construction of new parks through contributions from developers. Additionally, he aims to enhance public enjoyment by offering free WiFi in selected parks.
He proposes a significant increase in the number of TTC special constables, aiming to triple the current count to at least 200. These constables would be integrated into the Toronto Police Service, collaborating to maintain safety. Furthermore, Saunders plans to bolster security measures on the transit network by installing additional surveillance cameras.

Source: https://marksaundersfortoronto.ca/

Anthony Perruzza

Anthony Perruzza has been a long-standing representative for the area: As a school trustee, North York City Councillor, MPP and, most recently, City Councillor for Humber River-Black Creek.
Anthony is renowned for standing up for Toronto residents on a number issues, including working to get a subway line to North York, spearheading major sewer repairs in his riding, standing up for renters’ rights, and championing the Jane-Finch Community Hub and Centre for the Arts.
Anthony’s campaign is centred around improving the lives of Torontonians: Freezing property taxes and TTC fares for three years, expanding after-school programs for school-age kids, and building $1,000 affordable rental homes. He will also ensure that the City serves Torontonians better by creating work crews to fix pot holes and remove snow from our streets.
Anthony will fund his initiatives by getting a better deal for Toronto, so we can keep the $2.2 billion we collect for the province every year through our property taxes.
Anthony has an extensive history of supporting local communities, from helping organize renters to push for upgrades for rental buildings to supporting youth job creation to championing the arts throughout the Jane and Finch area.
Anthony’s campaign emphasizes the need to ensure the city is affordable for everyone, making sure families are not forced to leave the city because owning or renting is too expensive.

Source: https://perruzza.ca/

Please note that the mayoral candidate profiles provided above are not an exhaustive list of all their platform promises. The information presented focuses on the front runners and known local candidates in the 2023 Toronto municipal election. Each candidate may have additional proposals and initiatives that have not been covered in this summary. There may also be local candidates not featured in this story. It is important to review each candidate's official platforms and statements for a comprehensive understanding of their campaign promises and vision for the city.

By delving into the backgrounds, policy positions, and campaign emphases of these prominent candidates, voters can gain a better understanding of their potential mayoral choices. However, it is essential to conduct further research, attend debates, and engage with the candidates directly to obtain a comprehensive view of their platforms and policy proposals.

As election day approaches, let us remember the significance of our vote and the impact it can have on shaping the future of Toronto. By taking the time to learn about the candidates and casting an informed vote, we can collectively work towards a city that reflects our values, aspirations, and the needs of all its residents.