Mayor Olivia Chow's Toronto

[Jonny5]

Poll suggest Chow may be in trouble

It's all about who will be The Other Candidate at this point.
There's obviously resonance across the City right now that things are broken and not getting fixed, or at best holding steady, but I don't think Tory would be a choice vote for someone who thinks like that either as his whole shtick was "change nothing".

At this point out from the election date, it's all about if someone else with big name recognition steps up to run or not, but that also raises the question of who the hell would want to be mayor of Toronto? You're basically ruining your life for the next four years to run something that is dysfunctional as a feature, and God help you if you aren't Doug Ford's friend.

 

[PL1]

Rob Ford and John Tory broke the city over many years, and yet Olivia Chow is supposed to fix all (with an antagonist provincial government) in 18 months?

(Yes, I'm being a bit hyperbolic using "broke")

 

[Northern Light]

It's all about who will be The Other Candidate at this point.
There's obviously resonance across the City right now that things are broken and not getting fixed, or at best holding steady, but I don't think Tory would be a choice vote for someone who thinks like that either as his whole shtick was "change nothing".

At this point out from the election date, it's all about if someone else with big name recognition steps up to run or not, but that also raises the question of who the hell would want to be mayor of Toronto? You're basically ruining your life for the next four years to run something that is dysfunctional as a feature, and God help you if you aren't Doug Ford's friend.

First let me say, I'm with @PL1 above. I don't think Olivia has been given a fair chance overall as this point. Yes, she has disappointed on a couple of files, that's pretty much a given for any mayor though, especially one with high expectations.

Now, that doesn't get her a free pass; and she needs to show material progress before, but especially during the upcoming budget. But I think any read that she's been a disaster is just out to lunch.

***

Now....as to her opponents..........we know one.....

From the Councillor's social feed ....of course he's schmoozing the CEO of Simons at its opening............because TEC is in his ward right?........hmmmm... has anyone told him Bernard is from Quebec City and can't vote here? LOL

 

[zang]

Rob Ford and John Tory broke the city over many years, and yet Olivia Chow is supposed to fix all (with an antagonist provincial government) in 18 months?

(Yes, I'm being a bit hyperbolic using "broke")

Made broke through austerity and repeated insufficient revenue generation certainly applies.

 

[PL1]

Made broke through austerity and repeated insufficient revenue generation certainly applies.

Austerity, and perpetually kicking improvements down the road (which was related to austerity). My favourite example is how the city proudly trumpets on social media how many potholes they've filled, when this is really due to deferred maintenance projects

 

[AlvinofDiaspar]

She could have adopted the strong mayor powers - she refused (when you know her opponents will gleefully do so), and in so doing refused to own the issues and suck the oxygen out of her opponents. That will come back to haunt her.

AoD

 

[zang]

She could have adopted the strong mayor powers - she refused (when you know her opponents will gleefully do so), and in so doing refused to own the issues and suck the oxygen out of her opponents. That will come back to haunt her.

AoD

Sadly, I think any left-leaning mayor who uses the powers will suddenly find themselves on the bad side of Doug Ford and his Clapping Seals in parliament, even moreso than has already happened. Doug offered those powers to Tory, not Chow.

Ford's legislative response hammer used against anything he dislikes has—I'm sure—had a chilling effect on Chow making any big moves. Incrementalism isn't going to work here though, and standing up vociferously to Ford is unfortunately, necessary. I know I've already said this, but Toronto really needs some positive intervention at the federal level, but it's quite obvious that Carney is closer to a Harper than a Layton.

 

[Northern Light]

She could have adopted the strong mayor powers - she refused (when you know her opponents will gleefully do so), and in so doing refused to own the issues and suck the oxygen out of her opponents. That will come back to haunt her.

AoD

I'm not convinced this is the case.

She hasn't lost many critical votes at Council.

The times she has, if you count votes, such as on the sixplex as-of-right, her opponents had the numbers to override her Mayor edicts.

Its tempting at times to push maximum change at maximum speed, but this can lead to maximum push back and a quick election loss.

 

[taal]

Here's a thought - not for this next election of course - but I wonder what would happen if Doug Ford ran ?

 

[txlseries4]

Incrementalism isn't going to work here though, and standing up vociferously to Ford is unfortunately, necessary.

I don’t see how this would work out well at all given an apathetic electorate and a system that allows the province to simply override municipalities or even dissolve them. Personally I want a mayor who will stand up and tell him go to hell, but I also believe he’d respond with enough of these pinko commies I’ll show you who’s the fuckin’ boss

 

[rbt]

Ford's legislative response hammer used against anything he dislikes has—I'm sure—had a chilling effect on Chow making any big moves. Incrementalism isn't going to work here though, and standing up vociferously to Ford is unfortunately, necessary.

This was built-in to the strong mayor powers legislation upfront. They can only be used on items that advance a small number of provincially provided goals.

I know I've already said this, but Toronto really needs some positive intervention at the federal level, but it's quite obvious that Carney is closer to a Harper than a Layton.

The federal government has zero authority in provincial matters, and cities are a department of the province. At best the federal government could take the same approach as health-care and leverage contract law by providing provinces with gobs of money with strings attached.

 

[txlseries4]

Meant to post this Saturday but got busy. Saw the headline of The Star's story ("A new poll shows why Olivia Chow might not get re-elected — despite her high approval numbers") and wanted to see what the poll actually said, and I think it tells a slightly different story, so below are the slides from questions specific to the mayor. 33% election support outlook when she won in 2023 with 37% doesn't seem that alarming. More than a year out from the election I doubt most of these numbers are anything to trust anyway

The poll: https://www.ipsos.com/en-ca/toronto-city-poll-what-residents-think-about

"Q: To what extent do you approve or disapprove of the performance of the following:"

Approval/disapproval breakdown

"Q: If you were to vote for a mayor of Toronto tomorrow, who would you choose?"

 

[zang]

Meant to post this Saturday but got busy. Saw the headline of The Star's story ("A new poll shows why Olivia Chow might not get re-elected — despite her high approval numbers") and wanted to see what the poll actually said, and I think it tells a slightly different story, so below are the slides from questions specific to the mayor. 33% election support outlook when she won in 2023 with 37% doesn't seem that alarming. More than a year out from the election I doubt most of these numbers are anything to trust anyway

Basically Chow would win right now with a plurality, against a nebulous "some other candidate" and trouncing the previous mayor. All with only a difference from the previous election remarkably close to the poll's ±3.8% margin of error.

 

[zang]

This was built-in to the strong mayor powers legislation upfront. They can only be used on items that advance a small number of provincially provided goals.

Yes, but it's the interpretation of the province's goals that can come into play. Would building government-funded apartments for the homeless population count towards housing goals? Would building out ROWs for all streetcar lines count towards transport or infrastructure goals?

The federal government has zero authority in provincial matters, and cities are a department of the province. At best the federal government could take the same approach as health-care and leverage contract law by providing provinces with gobs of money with strings attached.

We are in dire need of reopening the constitution. The notwithstanding clause is being abused like crazy these days, and our major cities have become the economic heart of their respective provinces with dwindling power and representation. I know we're afraid it'll give Quebec an out, but they're going to head in that direction whether we appease them in the constitution or not.

 

[picard102]

We are in dire need of reopening the constitution. The notwithstanding clause is being abused like crazy these days, and our major cities have become the economic heart of their respective provinces with dwindling power and representation. I know we're afraid it'll give Quebec an out, but they're going to head in that direction whether we appease them in the constitution or not.

No one wants to reopen it because it would only get worse. No province is going to give up the notwithstanding clause, and they have even less reason release control of cities.