I wasn't in Toronto, but in Mississauga while watching returns, shocked to find Ford so quickly announced mayor after the election was over. After the initial reactions settled down, I started to remember where I came from, and where Toronto is headed. This may sound bizzaire, but the election of Rob Ford taught me why I love Toronto all over again. Here is a city that has a huge population up in arms over a Canadian right wing politician. Sure he's got problems with homophobia and racism on his campaign trail, which is nothing less than appalling; however, he supports building subways. By default, that is left wing lunacy in other right wing circles. The fact that so many Torontonians - and in fact Canadians - are surprised at Ford's win and have concerns about his win just confirms the character of the people. I've been in many cities and many places, and in many other areas Rob Ford would be a relative lefty. I'm proud so many Canadians have concerns. Character is within a population, not symbolized in only one individual at the top.
The fact that Toronto is so concerned (despite his win), the fact that Rob Ford IMMEDIATELY tempered his heated rhetoric the day after his election, and the fact that I was never too happy about Miller's streetcar for every neighborhood plan never has given me reason to worry about Toronto even if Smitherman was to lose. The city is more than its mayor, it is it's people, and Toronto will continue to shine regardless of whether it is Miller or now Ford.
Ford wouldn't have been my choice, I supported Smitherman, but I don't think Ford has the capacity to "destroy" such a great city as Toronto. For those of you who didn't support him, watch Toronto grow in spite of him. For those of you who supported him, watch Toronto grow.
Regardless, Toronto will grow. It's not dependent upon a singular politician.
And on the positive, who can't love a mayor who will trash all these useless streetcar lines in the name of Transit City. If Ford actually builds out the Sheppard subway and builds out the Scarborough RT to subway standards, then he will have been the first mayor to successfully expand subways within the city of Toronto in decades.
Focus on the positives, because Toronto still has plenty. I'm an eternal optimist.
/my view on the election