In case you haven't noticed, the GTA is in the final stages of a municipal election. By usual Ontario election norms, this election campaign is drawing more attention than usual. While I don't usually comment on political issues, this time around I can't resist.
I want to focus on the Toronto mayor race, since it is most interesting to me.
It appears to me for the first time in many campaigns, we have clear differences in the candidates being offered. The tax cutting, more efficient promising and simple platform of Rob Ford, versus anyone but Ford in the form of Smitherman. I'm not so sure what Smitherman is really all about except more of the same and a promise not to be Ford.
Ford is scaring a lot of people. He comes across as your obnoxious family member, the one you put up with but really wouldn't hang out with if he wasn't related to you. Ford has become popular because he has figured out the trigger with many of the voters. Time to be accountable for tax dollars, and a promise to run city hall more efficiently. He has built his platform more around what he won't do rather than what he will do.
Smitherman has a past as an Ontario member of government. He seems to be a viable alternative to Ford in that he won't shake things up too much and promises to be progressive in his works. He is the family member we all like are not too sure of.
Smitherman has a clear idea of what he wants our city to look like moving forward. More of the same, but with a better management style. Ford also has a clear idea. Less of the same and a ruthless management style.
Ford has put forward a promise which is drawing attention from our real estate industry, elimation of the dreaded Land Transfer Tax on housing purchases. For that promises, I believe he needs our attention. Can he deliver on his promise ? Not really sure if he can but it certainly is a good platform for him to promote in this election. Will the election of Ford hurt our city ? I don't think so since most of what really happens in our city centres around the council members. Ford might put forward a rougher image of who we really are as a city, but he can be put in the corner by his handlers. But he does scare me just a bit.
Smitherman is a smart man, a political veteran with experience. But is he offering more of the same moving forward ? And do we really want more of the same ?
So election day is fast approaching - and we really do have a choice of different candidates. I am not advocating either one and I still don't know who I will vote for - put me down as undecided for now.





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