From earlier subways to more services for seniors, the candidates weigh in
Here’s what key candidates running in Toronto’s June 26 mayoral byelection were up to on Tuesday:
From our newsroom to your inbox at noon, the latest headlines, stories, opinion and photos from the Toronto Sun.
Thanks for signing up!
A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder.
The next issue of Your Midday Sun will soon be in your inbox.
Olivia Chow: Chow tweeted out her support for flying the Pride flag at schools, a day after York District Catholic School Board trustees voted against flying the flag outside of its building in Aurora. “Flying the Pride flag says to 2SLGBTQ+ students: You are welcome here. Everyone should feel safe at public schools. YCDSB has made a decision to leave room for homophobia and transphobia — it’s shameful and doesn’t represent the majority of people.”
Josh Matlow: Matlow emailed an “unofficial” debate tracker totalling 32 debates/town halls/all-candidates meetings between May 6 and June 17 with the next one happening on Wednesday from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Ted Rogers School of Management and hosted by the Toronto Star, United Way Greater Toronto and Toronto Metropolitan University.
Ana Bailão: Bailão also tweeted her support for Pride flags at schools. “To 2SLGBTQIA+ kids in school in Toronto, York Region and everywhere: You are welcome, you are loved, you belong. I look forward to joining at City Hall this Thursday to raise the Pride flag to kick off Pride month: An important signal to all that Toronto stands with the 2SLGBTQIA+ community.”
-
CITY ISSUES: The latest from some of Toronto’s top mayor candidates
-
CITY ISSUES: The latest from some of Toronto’s top mayor candidates
Mark Saunders: Saunders said he’ll let seniors ride the TTC for free on Mondays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and request more convenient stops during off-peak hours. He also promised to bring free Wi-Fi to select parks throughout Toronto, so that seniors can connect online to important information, social supports and vital services, and open all Toronto libraries on Sunday year-round to provide more community spaces for seniors.
Mitzie Hunter: Hunter announced plans to open subways at 5:30 a.m. from Monday to Saturday starting in September to make it easier for those working early shifts to get to work. “Too many early shift workers are forced to take two or three or even four buses to get to work because the subway does not open until 6 a.m.,” said Hunter. She said opening the subways earlier will also encourage many to leave their car at home, easing traffic congestion, and that the cost of opening subways earlier is $9.3 million through the end of 2025.
Anthony Furey: Furey exposed the existence of crack pipe kits featuring a City of Toronto logo that are now being handed out – not just at drug sites, but at shelters across the city. “Most Toronto residents will be shocked to learn that their tax dollars are going to crack pipes and crystal meth kits,” Furey said. Furey added that Torontonians tell him they support his plan to phase out injection sites and replace them with treatment centres.
Brad Bradford: Bradford announced he’ll install 200 new speed cameras to improve neighbourhood safety for pedestrians, especially seniors and children, while dedicating all of the revenue to the city’s road repair budget. These new cameras will be in addition to the existing 75 cameras and will begin being phased in as part of the 2024 budget proposal.
