You've got Rob Ford, Olivia Chow, and John Tory. One of those old timers will become the Mayor of Toronto again.
Rob Ford isn't that bad of a guy. Yes he makes gaffes. Has smoked crack, and get drunk. However, he does take into account the taxpayer to a degree, and is a far better Mayor than David Miller. His subway to Scarborough is an ok idea. The fact is Toronto needs more subways, to Scarborough just isn't enough.
The areas he is problematic in is his polarizing commentaries. Refusal to raise taxes to fund a downtown relief line. Talking points about how he is saving tax payers money, and questionable ethics.
Olivia Chow has an opportunity to become the new Mayor of Toronto. One might argue she is a continuation of the David Miller era. With no real vision for the City of Toronto. She has recently argued that the Downtown Relief Line should not be an election issue. This is a ridiculous position to take. Toronto is a world class city with dated subway transportation. Studies are rather mute. The fact is the city needs a better subway service, and studying the issue just isn't going to cut it anymore.
If Ms. Chow were to be elected, one can see that the Scarborough subway line will get canceled, and set back subway development even more.
Furthermore, Ms. Chow reeks of political opportunism. Resigning her seat in Trinity-Spadina cost the electorate likely a million dollars, and left those residents without a Member of Parliament. Regardless of your political affiliation, I believe that a M.P. should stay on until their turn is up, and if they can't because of health related reasons that is more than acceptable. The taxpayer shouldn't be on the hook for a career politicians ambition.
The final candidate who might be the next Mayor of Toronto is John Tory. He is an old school red Tory similar to the great Bill Davis. Mr Tory can appeal to both the right and left. Areas of concern are the fact he ran to be Mayor of Toronto before and lost. As well as the fact he didn't do much when he was the leader of the Progressive Conservatives in Ontario. However, he is dedicated to making the Downtown Relief Line happen.
He would be able to negotiate well with the Ontario Liberals, and the federal Conservatives. Mister Tory also can appeal to the voters who don't want a tax and spend David Miller style of a mayor. His past might come back and haunt him.
Mister Tory needs to come off as decisive leader in order to win this contest.
To conclude, the City of Toronto needs less talk and more action regarding their current subway woes. Talk is cheap, and studies are pointless when you know the city needs a transportation overhaul.
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