Four years ago, six people out of 10 decided they had better things to do than vote in Toronto’s municipal election.
Yet today, when you ask anyone on the street to name their beef with the city, everyone has something to say.
The TTC, increasing taxes, excessive spending, heavy traffic. … In the last two months, since the election campaigns began in earnest, I’ve heard them all.
In 2006, voter turnout was a little more than 39 per cent. This year, pundits predict the turnout will be greater.
After all, in the last four years Toronto council’s antics have managed to stir even the sleepiest politics student.
Remember that photo of the sleeping TTC worker? That set off a tirade of customer service complaints from the public. I know you remember the garbage strike, and the heavily criticized city-union agreement that ended it a month later. How ‘bout the vehicle registration tax, the garbage tax, or the land transfer tax?
Why should you vote this time around?
Not because all three mayoral candidates have promised to get rid of or reduce that extra car tax, though that’s an incentive for sure.
You should vote because you live in this city and that makes you a stakeholder.
This city is your investment. You put money into this investment every single time you pay a tax. Shouldn’t you pay attention to the people who are managing your money?
It’s not too late to inform yourself.
Today, October 25, you will vote for a mayor who will represent the city, a councillor who will represent your neighbourhood and a school trustee who will represent your children.
Click here to find out which ward you live in and who the candidates are.
Take 10 minutes and Google these candidates. Find out if they represent the values that are important to you.
If you have questions about their stance on an issue, don’t be afraid to call their campaign office and ask for clarification.
These people are applying for a job. As stakeholders in this city, it’s our job to make sure we hire the right people for the task.
