municipalSyndicate content

modest proposal

Five ways to get involved in Toronto's election

Municipal elections in Toronto are upon us next week. Municipal decisions shape our everyday lives, from the quality of our public services to the health of our environment, yet voting turnout hovers at around 40 per cent. Your involvement during the final few days of the election is critical to shaping the outcome.

Here are five strategic ways you can take action.

Make up your mind

You get to vote for four positions this October: Toronto school board trustee, Catholic school board trustee, mayor, and city councillor. The city's election website lists all candidates by ward. Check it out by clicking here

embedded_video

in her own words

One Toronto now: An election is a terrible thing to waste

Mayoral candidate Rob Ford at the Toronto Debates 2010, debate one: Prosperity and the Economy, Sept. 8, 2010. Photo: mars_discovery_district/Flickr

Only when humans are again permitted to build authentic urbanism -- those cities, towns, and villages that nurture us by their comforts and delights -- will we cease the despoiling of Nature by escaping to sprawl.

- Andrés Duany, 'Suburban Nation: The Rise of Sprawl and the Decline of the American Dream'

embedded_video

Bird-dogging

An American political button that reads bird dog

Bird-dogging is a hunting term. The bird-dog has to run into the bushes and flush out birds into the open. Politicians hide behind rhetoric, party lines and self congratulating rather than addressing issues.

In a political context, bird-dogging means attending an elected official's event and forcing them comment, state their stance or change it. It involves raising awareness about community issues, holding a wily politician to their word or pressuring them to make a commitment. Using succinct, pointed questions bird-doggers force politicians to get on the record about a certain issue. This can provide fodder for alternative journalists, who can produce stories on the subject and expose the official to other citizens. This guide includes:

embedded_video

Friends of Landsdowne Park appeal P3 approval

| October 19, 2011

Better Choices Waterloo Region

On October 25th, make Better Choices.
Why should you consider the candidates endorsed by Waterloo Region's Better Choices? Because you want your local governments to be able to deliver quality public services while supporting the local economy, paying a living wage, while making environmental sustainability a priority.

The following priorities were developed in consultations with local unions and community groups and will go a long way to make our communities a better place for everyone.  Municipalities Matter!

embedded_video

Elect Lethbridge

The Elect Lethbridge manifesto

It’s municipal election season, and such as other cities have seen, a few concerned and active citizens came together to create this open forum. A public space where open and respectful discussion can be had about the politics, and activities of the city of Lethbridge.


We have a lot happening in Lethbridge, including a change in mayor and a potential shake-up of city council. As election contenders come out, Elect Lethbridge aims to cover them and their platforms. However, Elect Lethbridge is not limited to candidacy debate. It has a broader mandate: to enlighten the citizens of Lethbridge of municipal events and controversies.

embedded_video

Syndicate content