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Toronto mayoral by-election peanut gallery

9-10ths_Penguin

1/10 Subway Stalinist
Premium Member
Nominations have officially opened for the Toronto mayoral by-election and the field is already crowded. As of right now, 28 candidates have registered:


... and this list doesn't include some prominent names who have announced their intention to run but haven't formally filed yet (e.g. Gil Penalosa, the runner-up in last year's general election).

The by-election comes after John Tory's surprise resignation over his affair with one of his staff. Nominations are open until May 14 and the election is June 26.

Things are now getting interesting for Doug Ford, who implemented "strong mayor" powers for Toronto when he had an ally in the Mayor's Office (Tory) and is now fretting at the possibility that the City could elect a "leftie" who could use those same powers to block a lot of what Ford wants to do in (to?) Toronto.

There are multiple credible candidates on both sides of the political spectrum here, so it seems like no candidate is going to have a majority or even a strong plurality.

... and there's the very real possibility of a multi-way split between the "real" candidates allowing some fringe candidate to squeak into the lead by a handful of votes.

Thoughts? Predictions? Who do you want to win?
 

9-10ths_Penguin

1/10 Subway Stalinist
Premium Member
As of today, we're up to 37 candidates:


Still no Gil Penalosa.
 

9-10ths_Penguin

1/10 Subway Stalinist
Premium Member
A nice analysis of the front-running candidates, along with their voting record (if they're current councillors) and links to their platforms (where available):

 

9-10ths_Penguin

1/10 Subway Stalinist
Premium Member
The first polling I've seen out got published the other day. Key points:

  • Olivia Chow is in the lead, but not by much.
  • 30% are "undecided"... a bigger percentage than any candidate.
  • 40% of respondents would vote for John Tory if he were running.

Anyone feel like making any predictions?
 

lewisnotmiller

Grand Hat
Staff member
Premium Member
Sorry, @9-10ths_Penguin , whilst I get a plethora of news on US politics at all levels, I get very little on Canadian, so I couldn't begin to guess.

Fwiw, this has been an informative thread for me, and I'd give it informative frubals if such things still existed!!
 

9-10ths_Penguin

1/10 Subway Stalinist
Premium Member
Sorry, @9-10ths_Penguin , whilst I get a plethora of news on US politics at all levels, I get very little on Canadian, so I couldn't begin to guess.

Fwiw, this has been an informative thread for me, and I'd give it informative frubals if such things still existed!!
Thank you!

I don't live in Toronto myself any more, but I'm watching this election with interest because of its implications both for my hometown as well as for the province as a whole.

In particular, Ontario premier Doug Ford has been pushing out "strong mayor" legislation for Toronto and Ottawa that would give mayors significant powers to enact their (and Ford's) vision.

Rumours are swirling that Ford is getting ready to roll "strong mayor" powers out to more cities where the mayors are Ford allies, but if Toronto elects a progressive mayor who wants to use these powers against Ford, that may prompt Ford to scale things back and scupper strong mayor powers for the entire province.
 

Evangelicalhumanist

"Truth" isn't a thing...
Premium Member
In the lead, unfortunately, is Olivia Chow. I just find her too far left for my taste. If John Tory (a pinkish conservative) had run again -- which is allowed -- he would have won hands-down, and I think that shows where Torontonians really are. Social policies are not really the stuff of municipal politics, which should have a more practical focus -- infrastructure, transit, livability, that sort of thing.

My personal preference is for Josh Matlow, who has already put forth an impressive list of policies. Unfortunately, Josh seems to have a real problem building coalitions, and that's going to work against him...he has no chance this time around.
 

lewisnotmiller

Grand Hat
Staff member
Premium Member
Hey, @lewisnotmiller - the election got some coverage from your end of the world!

Hmm...I can't listen now (in bed next to a snoring wife) but I'll do so tomorrow.
ABC is generally good on international news.
 
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