The Race for Mayor of Toronto: Who do you want to win?

[rbt]

Originally Posted by AndrewJM3D

We need a John Tory to get this City back in the black.

? By law Toronto is in the black operationally; and the operations budget covers capital (long term project) debt.

Second to this, when Tory was advising our Premier, the province was running a deficit. Heck, between 1977 and 1982 Ontario was a have-not province; and Tory was an advisor at the time.

None of this was his fault but to expect him to suddenly raise taxes in Toronto OR significantly spending isn't going to happen.

[Kensingtonian]

Originally Posted by vid

OMG A gay person might run!! I will support him unconditionally!!

2 gay people if Smitherman and Glen Murray run. It's a lifestyle choice we're forcing upon America.

[Taller, Better]

Originally Posted by Grey Towers

See post #67. Get with it, man! I'm with you in being excited about him, but let's wait for his platform.

ooooooooooops! You are like National Enquirer and got the scoop!!!

[Grey Towers]

Originally Posted by Taller, Better

ooooooooooops! You are like National Enquirer and got the scoop!!!

Well, I heard about it on the news the other night and thought, "Hmm, now there's the first potentially interesting contender. Let me break it to me mates over at SSC".

Originally Posted by rbt

Heck, between 1977 and 1982 Ontario was a have-not province;

Ontario has never been a have-not province before: http://www.financialpost.com/news-se...html?id=928766

Ontario will for the first time in Canadian history join the ranks of the have-not provinces that will stand in line next year for a payout from Ottawa
...The payout to Ontario will be the first in the 51-year history of the so-called equalization program

[Taller, Better]

"Heck, between 1977 and 1982 Ontario was a have-not province"

absolutely untrue. It may have run a deficit, but we were not spared from
obligatory Equalization payments and we did not receive any.

[rbt]

Originally Posted by Taller, Better

"Heck, between 1977 and 1982 Ontario was a have-not province"

absolutely untrue. It may have run a deficit, but we were not spared from
obligatory Equalization payments and we did not receive any.

My only point was that John Tory was advisor to the premier during that difficult time and didn't manage to save the world and will not be able to make Toronto's financial difficulties go away while holding taxes and improving services.


Anyway, Ontario did NOT receive equalization payments due to a very targeted rule but we did meet every guide of a have-not province.

The deciding factor for equalization payment was a rule around income added at that time (1976?) which did not, AFAIK, consider local cost of living as a factor. That made us a "have-not" province with a "have" population.




Not that it matters because we got some good business rule changes in lieu of equalization payments.

[kettal]

Originally Posted by Kensingtonian

2 gay people if Smitherman and Glen Murray run.

If this happens, it will be an "I'm gayer than you" campaign.

[Kensingtonian]

now THAT would be interesting.

[Kensingtonian]

i'm really going to miss Miller. i don't care what the haters say. he genuinely wanted the best for this city and was working as hard as he could to move it in the right direction.

[Taller, Better]

Originally Posted by kettal

If this happens, it will be an "I'm gayer than you" campaign.

Then shouldn't Enza be running? No one can beat her on this score.

[TRZ]

Smitherman's prospects are looking dimmer now for mayor.

[Mollywood]

Originally Posted by TRZ

Smitherman's prospects are looking dimmer now for mayor.

Yep, with the ehealth scandal hitting the airwaves, I think Smitherman is screwed. I guess it's left up to Enza to run. If it's between John Tory and Enza Anderson, Enza gets my vote. Tory has already struck out 3 times, take a hint John.

[Mollywood]

Originally Posted by Taller, Better

Then shouldn't Enza be running? No one can beat her on this score.

I can beat her, I'm definitely gayer than Enza!

[TRZ]

I am wondering who the left-leaning candidate/champion will be. Mammoliti? Giambrone? I don't see either as a credible candidate for mayor frankly.

[YU-AMC]

Originally Posted by TRZ

Smitherman's prospects are looking dimmer now for mayor.

Yes, I was about to chime in on that.

[Mollywood]

I just read that Smitherman has announced he is running for Mayor. So Toronto might have it's first openly gay mayor. What do you guys think his chances are? I think the whole E-Health scandal might hurt his chances but he still has a shot. After-all, he is a respectable married man, with a child on the way. (adopted) I wonder if Tory will run against him. I'd like to see Wong & Ford get booted out of office. We need some new blood on city council.

[vid]

Is "respectably married with a child on the way" something to which most Torontonians will relate?

[rbt]

Originally Posted by Mollywood

I just read that Smitherman has announced he is running for Mayor.

The changes that Miller put through seems to be attracting some pretty high profile contenders from outside city council.

Have we ever elected a mayor in the past who didn't sit as a councillor for at least 1 term?

[Grey Towers]

I like Shelley Carroll's proposal of a Toronto tax, but I don't think it'll fly with the general public.

[TRZ]

George is crazy.