Where is the coverage of the Toronto Mayoral race?

Please post any links that you find on this sad spectacle that makes me cry if I think about it too much.

Moving to central canada, where all the Toronto municipal election threads are and will be.

It should be noted that those Ford supporters carrying signs behind him could be breaking the sign bylaw. As I was informed in no uncertain terms by the city, there should be no signs on public highways within 1.5m of the road, or within 15m of intersections. As the city acts reactively, call 311 when you see possible infractions. Just because it's being carried by a person doesn't make any less legal.

My understanding (gleaned at an information session on Thursday night at Metro Hall) is that signs advocating a specific candidate who has filed papers at City Hall, e.g. "Vote [Whoever]" cannot be displayed within 1.5m of the road, or within 15m of an intersection, and moreover, cannot be displayed anywhere outside of a candidate's campaign office until October 4. T-shirts, badges and stickers are fine, however.

If my understanding of the relevant bylaw is faulty, then I apologize.

I shouldn't have used the Ford campaign as my example. I don't have much time for his ideas, but *any* campaign who does it shouldn't, and if they do, should be reported. What the City chooses to do then is up to them. They should actively go after *every* campaign that does it (and even the ones that I agree with have their halos pretty tarnished) just so one side's supporters can't cry foul. Or, rather, cry foul for a reason.

It may be an unintended consequence of the bylaw, but it is nevertheless a consequence.

And the signs I've seen supporters carry so far look exactly like campaign signs, to be put on lawns or fences or whatever. While there is a fuzzy area, I'd argue that any sign that could be placed in a window, hammered into a lawn, or stapled to a fence and used as a campaign sign is a campaign sign.

To take your example, I would never argue that. Bumper stickers are perfectly fine, according to the city.

Oh, it's getting serious now - the Globe and Mail has submitted the candidates' signatures to a graphologist.

We know she's incredibly accurate because she says Rob Ford likes culture.

This campaign continues to get stranger by the day. At first I thought this was a joke. 

To be fair - it would be more comparable if Jack layton's father was a current Tory cabinet minister under Harper and Jack was leading the NDP attacking his own father during question period.

It's pretty common knowledge that Smitherman has a toxic personality and seems to have the book "how to lose friends and alienate people" as his inspiration. I don't know the man personally, but every single person I've met who has had any personal interaction with him - either when he was Hall's Chief of Staff in the 90s to during his time in provincial politics - has told me the same thing - that he is personally abusive, nasty and vindictive. He is apparently another one of those people (like Helena Guergis) who has a revolving door in his office of people who work him for two days and then quit because they can't take the abuse.

So, it should come as no surprise that his poor interpersonal skills extend to his family.

dandmb50 - Nice try Rossi, that's your platform, scrap the arena (which we need desperately,) and the 5 cent bag fee? Not much of a platform.
I think things are getting worse and worser in this campaign for mayor.

Ford's been doing well in the "polls" but if he pushes this canceling streetcar strategy issue I think people will not respond well to it. I love my streetcars and now that the city has just built (over budget) streetcar ROW (right of ways) all over downtown, this may be the one issue that finishes Ford. It's "NOT" a plan to save money.
How do we "save" money if we throw away all those streetcars and ROW routes, it doesn't make sense, and what about the orders for the new streetcars, will we get our deposit back? We need a plan that works. All the kookie ideas are coming out now.

Daniel .. Toronto

People should stop talking about Ford's popularity. He isn't popular. His opposition is devided that is all. Rossi has no ideas, he is a good speaker but no platform to speak of. He is running on personality alone. He seems to have one. Thompson's claim to fame is bringing potato chips to gas stations in Toronto -- perhaps she would like it if the folks who staff the Toronto Film Permit office, had a kiosk where they could sell pop, chips and juice to location scouts while they are doing their paper work? Smitherman is running on a campaign of decreased costs and increased services -- how he is going to turn this trick has not been explained, except that he intends to spend the first year as the city budget chief, and bring the city to a halt while he does a line by line budget review and terrorizes the staff at City Hall.

Pantalone is the only one who has a platform who isn't lying to the public and telling them they can get more services and better service for less money. Panatlone should speak louder or closer to the microphone, that is about the only criticism I have of him.

In fact, the whole campaign is basically being leveraged through the negative campaigning of Ford, on the false premise that the city is broken, and this has catalyzed the vote of a comprised of whiners who can't stand the idea of things like that they might be delayed for 2 minutes behind a streetcar once a week.

Ford's posse, looks like an unpleasant group of inner city gangbangers dressed in suits.

He is polling in the mid 30's. That isn't "popular". Popular is a vote share in the 40's at least. All that say is that he has managed to catalyze one particular voter group, not plurality of support.

I wish Joe Mihevc or Shelley Carroll would have run.

There are right now FORTY people running for Mayor.

I am hoping to gather links infos and photos of them all here:

The media pummels us with coverage of the 'front-runner' five, but there are others.

No. Indeed, it was very interesting being at the all candidates debate this tuesday, since the line up basically meant that the right wing agenda got 4 times the overall speaking time than the "left" view represented by Joe Pantalone -- not the Joe is any kind of radical, or anything. Thus we see how the media and its friends at the Board of Trade effectively set the agenda by default.

Women don't matter.

Frontrunning Toronto mayoral candidate Rob Ford has suddenly dropped out of a "Women Matter" candidates' debate Friday night, an organizer says.

Ford's campaign had previously confirmed that he would attend the debate on "issues of gender representation and diversity in city politics", hosted by Equal Voice Toronto, the Toronto Women's City Alliance and the YWCA, said debate spokesperson Gabby Richichi-Fried.

Somebody from the Ford camp called one of the organizers at 2 a.m. Friday to say he can't attend because "he has to go to a barbecue," Richichi-Fried said.

Thanks for that. Anyone know what that scurilous bunch of "arts" developers the active18 are on about?

I was fully convinced Rob Ford would come up with the dumbest ideas of the campaign until that happened.

Someone asked him how much of Toronto he wanted to "sell to business" or something like that. I couldn't quite hear the question.

Cueball asked "Anyone know what that scurilous bunch of "arts" developers the active 18 are on about?"

Rather wish I knew.  They held what they advertised as an "all candidates debate" with only 9 of the 12 people running. Ken Wood, also a candidate,  was there but told he was welcome to 'ask questions at the end of the debate'. He left. They initially tried to get only certain councillors there, but added a limited few after complaints were made.  There were about 50 or so people attending.

Didn't stay as it looked like platforms being given to candidates to spout predetermined lines.

Actibve18 website is: http://active18.org/about

Question for me is who is Active 18 - really? And "what are they on about?"

Ahh, I thought it was something other than it is.

Tories back Smitherman

You get millions thrown out the window because some suburban drivers can't figure out that the streetcars that are blocking their way are stuck behind cars driven by suburbanites.

And you will still be taking the bus.

And Rob Ford is Mr. Equity now, I spose.

How about making it worse?

This is ridiculous really. We can't keep making plans, digging holes, and filling them in every time some new idealogue comes along with his brand of populism. Rob Ford's transit plan services half the area of Scarborough that Transit city does, throws millions down the toilet in already started construction, and more millions down the tube when he scraps streetcars that we are already on the hook for purchasing. 

Sometimes "vision" means finishing the job already started.

Edited to add. Of course job losses, and most social safety system are primarily the responsibility of the Federal and Provincial government. There is nothing that the city can do about that other than complain about it because the City is not allowed to tax anything other than property. Otherwise, they have to beg the province and the feds. End of story.

On this point, Joe Panatlone clearly said he would freeze property taxed on pensioners, so that the city tax bills don't end up forcing them to vacate their homes. And this tid-bit tells you everything you need to know about Joe Pantalone. As opposed to sky high crazy promises, obviously he has thought seriously about some issues, and about ways to solve them, as opposed to blowing smoke up everyones ass.

I'd go and help Joe, but I'm otherwise engaged.

edmundoconnor - I probably visit Chris's pet food store regularly!

I should think that having the discussion at all is a good start. For one thing, its hard for an organization such as that to take an unequivocal stand on supporting one sector of the white establishment from that other sector of the white establishment. The organization did well to kick of the event by showcasing Rocco Achampong to kick of the debate, which was basically handled as an interview talk show format, as opposed to a snipe fest. There is a divide here, and questions from the audience, notably Black Torontonians handed Pantalone some of his toughest question, which I am afraid to say he mostly tried to defuse.

Notably Rocco (Achampong not Rossi!) was the only person who is a candidate who took the unique stance of talking about the wages of unionized police officers as being a problem, a cute twist on an old theme about unions with a strong hidden point about the police budget.

As one fellow put it, Pantalone really has to do something to distinguish himself from Miller, and unless Pantalone can come up with some way to directly offer something that sounds like more than just words as far as these communities go, and endorsement seems unlikely. However, keynote speaker Avvy Go, clearly tipped her hat to Joe in the intro, but here, as well Pantalone missed an opportunity to pick up on some themes such as policiing that she raised.

Here is how Avvy charachterized the event: Good Jobs for All.

That is not so bad, but I don't think that Joe is going to win huge points from these communities unless he has something more forthright to say. The problems is obvious, and he could take a clear stand on it.

But, if you are concerned about where GJFA is coming from, I think I can say with confidence that this is probably the first and last time that any of the mayoralty candidates will be asked by anyone, let alone someone like John Tory: "What are you going to do to protect City Services from outsourcing", as each was asked in their turn.

ETA: Also you keep talking about welfare cheques being late during the city workers strike. I didn't take a survey mind you, but no one I know who is on the dole got their cheque late, and one was adamant about how happy he was that he cheque was being sent out without the usual monthly bureaucratic bullshit: forms, appointments, etc.

Stop the city! I want to get off.

The rumour mill says a new opinion poll has Rob Ford still on track to be Toronto's next mayor, with the support of 51 per cent of respondents.

The Globe/CTV/CP24/Nanos Research poll was conducted in the past few days and will be reported on CTV and CP24 on Sunday night and in the Globe on Monday morning, according to sources.

Great. So Pantalone has momentum with a 5% increase in the polls and Smitherman does not. Smitherman has already lost this election to Ford. That is the word on the street. Therefore, Pantalone is the only solid way for people to get the message across to city council that Toronto is not for sale.

Pantalone is going no where.  Smitherman is stalled but ahead of Pantalone and the others are done.  Time to rally round Smitherman and stop this Ford fool.  Ford as mayor I can't stomache it!

I could not have said it better "writer", Pantalone is by far the best choice...I just wish he could do a better job of presenting his arguments - and hopefully that will change for the better in the coming weeks. I saw a mayor's debate and while I agreed with 100% of what Joe was saying - he came across like a bureaucrat defending the status quo and blaming everything on other levels of government. He's right - but he needs to move beyond his answer to every question being "we can't do anything about it because Queens park and Ottawa won't give us more money". Even though its true - this is not what the public likes to hear.

"Toronto city hall will become an absolute unworkable mess with Ford at the helm."

We have three choices: Ford - in which case city hall becomes an unworkable message where nothing gets accomplished, Smitherman - in which case city hall becomes an all too workable mess where he would probably manage to bring in his rightwing agenda or Pantalone in which case sanity reigns.

I'm not sure whether I feel more Anyone But Ford or Anyone But Smitherman - in any case, he is crashing and burning and i think that someone else has to be the "anti-Ford". The people of Toronto have sampled Smitherman and turned up their noses like a cat that was given a flavour of cat food he didn't like.

Unfortunately, all the major candidates besides Pantalone are trying to sell that snake oil.

What are the odds of Ford getting run out of town on a rail in 2014 (or sooner)?

Slitherman has already lost this election. He went from a comfortable lead at the begining of the year, and has been steadily losing ground since then. He has been campaigning for a whole year, at least, and he still can't get any traction, despite gold seal endorsements from the Toronto Star, the provincial Liberals and even former Harris Tory cabinet ministers.

Pantalone, has been campaigning since Labour Day, and already increased his poll share by 5%. The only one who is showing any traction is Pantalone.

More importantly, the Mayor is just one vote on Council. Even if Ford wins, a vote for Pantalone, is a vote for Transit City, and a vote against selling of Toronto. A two way split between Slitherman and Ford sends the message that it is open season on the City of Toronto, a vote for Pantalone sends the message to council that there is no clear mandate to sell off city assets, privatize, sell of the TTC, and other city services.

Thanks for the Eyeweekly link Writer. Excellent article. 

Why doesn't Smitherman drop out and throw his support to Pantalone? If he loves the city as he says he does, it's the only reasonable thing to do. The Harrisites can then back Ford. 

One troubling aspect of the NANOS poll is that Ford is tied with Pantalone with 23% of NDP-leaning voters. Now that's scary. 

Conversely, and strangely, next to Ford, Pantalone enjoys more support from Con-leaning voters (13%) than anyone else. Joe also has the most support among all candidates among Green-leaners. 

Where is the evidence for that? A few weeks back a poll was released that showed that if Miller ran he would win. There is no general rejection of the "left" here. What there is is a rejection of the game plan as set up by the media, people are voting against Smitherman and his Liberal connections, not Miller. The set game is Ford v. Smitherman, not Ford v. Miller. Even Smitherman is anti-Miller. There is no Miller candidate in the race that most people know about.

Pantalone's main problem is visibility. Indeed, just the other day I was speaking to someone who said they were going to vote Rocco Rossi, and all I had to say was that Pantalone was Miller's deputy mayor (which he did not know), and the guy immediatly changed his tune, because he supports "Transit City".

I agreed with most who said that Smitherman has run a miserable campaign and doesn't deserve to win, but he is the only chance we have to stop Ford.

Ford"s campaign can be summed up in four words  STOP THE GRAVY TRAIN  trnaslation CHANGE

Pantalone's campaign can be summed up in four words MORE OF THE SAME   translation NO CHANGE

The others Rossi, Thompso represnt change and one thing is clear the majority of the voters want change the pollls show that>  Smitherman is the only one with the numbers to sell the change but postive change.  Pantalone can't sell that and the Thompson, Rossi and Smitherman voters won't go to Pantalone in big enough numbers.

This is why I will hold my nose and vote Smitherman.

Stockhom as miserable as it sounds more postive than Rossi, Thompson and Ford.  Thats as postive as we get that represents change and th4e voters are going for change. 

Maybe Smitherman will be this year's Barbara Hall...the Barbara Hall of '03, not '97.

For what? A bunch of words like "hope" and "change"? How about a rock solid transit proposal, as opposed to another "transit plan". Toronto doesn't need a new plan for transit. It needs transit, and it needs it now. Not a bunch of dithering, new reports, renegeed contracts and fishing expeditions for private investors.

So, precisely. Joe's campaign can be summed up as "more of the same". A CHEAPER transit plan that is already in the works, already negotiated and ready to go. We can't be digging holes and filling them in every 5 years because someone comes along talking about "hope" and "change".

Anyway, Smitherman already lost this elecition, this summer. He can't out-Ford, Ford. That much is obvious. So if you really want to throw your vote away that is one sure way to do it. On the other hand, a vote for Joe Pantalone is a vote for transist city, and against privatization, and this is a message that you can get across.

Voting for Slietherman just tells city council that Ford is on the right track.

Meanwhile, in other news - I was pleasantly surprised and even shocked to see that Art Eggleton of all people is backing Joe Pantalone for mayor! Eggleton is by-passing the two big-L Liberals in the race and remember that back in the 80s, we all that that "Eggs" was a rightwing mayor who beat John Sewell. i guess he's has a "Saul on the Road to Damascus" conversion.

@writer #83

The funny and unfortunate thing is it will certainly get him more exposure and probably get him some votes because most people will barely even think about the racist/fascist/criminal/sexist implications. Nor will they question its relevance to his actual campaign.

I'm sure he'll take some flak for it, but the fact is  it is well-designed and different, and it plays into hollywood imagery that everyone understands.

Hey, if I lived there I certainly wouldn't put one up on my wall but I'd definitely want one for my propaganda collection. It's a great poster.

(edit)

Hopefully Martin Scorsese and David Chase don't hit him up for licensing fees, though

 Then they'll get Rob Ford, which will be really fun for unions!! Yay!!

writer @ 83: List of Toronto public figures recently known for jutting their chins out and raising them so that they look like Mussolini: Blair, Fantino, even a pale version in McGuinty, now Rossi. This first hit me when I realized that Blair was actually starting to look like Fantino -- something about that job. Anyway, it's really not my neo-aesthetic.

George "crocodile tears" Smitherman. George "diapers" Smitherman. Anyone who knows his history on the nursing-homes file would refuse to vote for him as dogcatcher (which the G20 showed us is pretty much all the mayor of Toronto is).

Well that's the thing. It's so far over the top that it is clearly pop-art satire. So he gets mileage for playing with his image in a half-comic way and doesn't have to take full responsibility for it. And for good or ill there is a reason why  that kind of propaganda is effective - a certain segment of the population will fall for it.

(edit)

Interesting that both posters use the Nazi red-black-white colour scheme. Time to go back and read J.G. Ballard's essay about the eternally-vital and youthful imagery of fascism.

Interestings so you are suggesting if Pantalone can't win ...union members vote Ford.....Interesting indeed!

That a depends on what kind of day Smitherman is having. It's what he doe's not say what he will do bothers me. We know what Ford will try to do.

A political, what do you think Ford would be able to do as mayor that would be unfathomable to the decent, reasonable Smitherman (sic)?

Holy crap, do you not know this guy's history? He's been arrested a few times, has been drunk in public at Leafs games and lashed out at other fans, his wife called the police on him at one point. The guy is serious trouble, and an extreme right wing agenda to boot. There are threads about his past behaviour on rabble. And he'll be representing us as mayor? I'll take Smitherman any day.

Smitherman is a former coke head Queen street party animal, who has had contact with the mafia that is hooked up with Colombian drug cartels. Heh. Exageration? No. All coke heads are hooked up to the Colombian drug cartels. Moreso, he has never come clean on the fact that he was supposed to set up an Ehealth database when he was Minister of Health, and failed miserably. His failed program became Ehealth, and it is his contact and consultants who blew our billion dollars doing nothing.

Yes. Indeed, he made the point that after scamming millions they were put on the government payroll since then. Nice, now they can collect government pensions as well.

That poll did say a lot of NDP voters are voting Ford. I guess that includes union members and people on this board. Hope you enjoy him!

Sounds like Miller might be coming out for Pantalone.

http://www.openfile.ca/blog/topics/toronto-votes/2010/mayor-backs-beauli...