Next Mayor of Toronto?

[eddiek]

If you read the comments to ANY news article on a major Canadian news website, you'd come to the conclusion that there are a ton of fed up voters who are afraid of Canada sliding toward socialism (or communism). It's irrelevant fluff. Most of them don't even live in Toronto.

All in all, a mixed bag, but more good than bad. I'm leaning his way though with a ton of reservations.

Yes, there are a few 905'ers in the mix but you can see them being shot down with follow up comments. You can see a few of the comments are form people within Toronto. I couldn't vote for Smithermen, I don't think he is the right person for the job. The whole E-health issue and his performance as an MPP in McGuinty government just doesn’t sit right with me. The biggest problem is that I don't see any candidates worth voting for at this time.

 

[King of Kensington]

It's kind of funny how people praise Smitherman for his "fiscal conservative" credentials.

 

[GraphicMatt]

It's kind of funny how people praise Smitherman for his "fiscal conservative" credentials.

Fiscal conservatism doesn't really exist in modern politics. Noted fiscal conservatives from Ronald Reagan to George W Bush to Mike Harris to Mulroney to Stephen Harper have all ultimately added debt during their times in office.

In North America, the most fiscally conservative politicians in the last couple of decades have been Bill Clinton and Paul Martin. Though people claiming to be 'conservatives' would never hold them up as champions of their cause.

 

[adma]

There are some good arguments behind it, though there is of course a strong cynical argument to be made that left-wing politicians are pushing for the change because they know almost all of the new immigrant vote would go their way.

Then again, it may be argued that "new Canadians" were a strong cornerstone to Mel Lastman's success--more so than even a Giambrone could hope for...

 

[Fresh Start]

Smitherman is talking policy! Here are some of the key pieces:

POLITICIANS OFF THE TTC!

When it comes to the TTC, politicians should be relegated to a minority on the board, he said. Private-sector experts and riders should comprise the majority. And yes, Mr. Smitherman takes the TTC, though his husband owns a car for work. All in all, a mixed bag, but more good than bad. I'm leaning his way though with a ton of reservations.

This sounds a lot like Sarah Thomson's perspective. The big question here is whether he's interested in reprioritizing the TTC's transit expansion goals to include some metro subway projects like the DRL or modifying the Eglinton Line. He has to know riders will prefer subways bar none.

 

[Admiral Beez]

Smitherman's just announced that he consider canceling the $60 auto registration fee. That cinches it for me, he's got my vote. Of course he'll have to find the revenue or savings elsewhere to cover the promise, but that's what should have happened instead of introducing this tax in the first place. Everyone in Ontario should pay the same fees for registering their vehicles in Ontario.

 

[GenerationW]

The most notable thing is the huge other vote. My guess is that represents a desire for a Rob Ford type conservative that Liberals Rossi and Smitherman have failed to meet.

No, what that represents is we're still nine months away from the election.

 

[kettal]

Smitherman's just announced that he consider canceling the $60 auto registration fee. That cinches it for me, he's got my vote. Of course he'll have to find the revenue or savings elsewhere to cover the promise, but that's what should have happened instead of introducing this tax in the first place. Everyone in Ontario should pay the same fees for registering their vehicles in Ontario.

But what if other candidates declare that they will consider cancelling it? Then how will you decide??

 

[Cranky Old Fart]

No, what that represents is we're still nine months away from the election.

That and that the Candidates are utterly lacklustre & why wouldn't that be the case (lacklustre candidates) when the job comes with very little power and the Mayor has to go begging cap in hand to the Ontario Premier & Canadian Prime Minister to attempt to get some of the surplus taken in taxes that never returns in funds or services the city is saddled with providing.

 

[urbandreamer]

Is Adam Giambrone really married? Very shocking indeed!

http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/tor...dam-giambrone-has-bumpy-ride-in-run-for-mayor

 

[Juan_Lennon416]

Yes...he is married

 

[SunriseChampion]

Smitherman's just announced that he consider canceling the $60 auto registration fee. That cinches it for me, he's got my vote.

Whoah. That's like my vote for Pitfield the last time based on her thoughts on subways.
I feel better about my choices now. Thanks, friend.

 

[js97]

Jabroni indeed.. I don't think I've ever heard a LESS direct answer....

Have to give him credit though, like miller, he's good at spin.

All i want to know is, between Miller and Giambrone, which one is snowball and which one is napoleon?

 

[nfitz]

I'm not seeing how eliminating a $60 per year charge per car is going to help. Isn't the city short on money? I don't really want to see bus routes cut, library hours shortened, etc., to save a mere $60!

 

[kEiThZ]

With the biggest complaint about TTC of late is customer service, your using Air Canada as an example about how to improve TTC?

Air Canada did improve after the government cut them loose. It was the merger with Canada that messed them up. And for all their supposedly bad rep, they are the best airline in North America (ranked so consistently). The only people who whine about them are Canadians who fly once a year and expect first class treatment on an economy fare. This is Air Canada today:

http://www.cbc.ca/consumer/story/2009/12/02/consumer-air-canada-global-traveler.html
http://www.aircanada.com/en/about/media/facts/awards/index.html

One area the TTC could pick up tips from Air Canada: on time performance. AC is one of the best airlines in the world for on-time performance which is remarkable given the size of our country and their global network.

What awards has the TTC won lately?