Toronto’s municipal election will decide on the mayor and the representative of the city council’s neighborhoods. The election will take place on 24th October 2022. The municipal government plays a significant role in supervising public transit, property taxes, public areas such as parks, and garbage collection. This government level aligns closely with the daily routine.
Toronto’s municipal election currently has 31 candidates seeking the position of mayor. John Tory seeks his third term with his eight years of experience. His most eminent competitor is Gil Penalosa, who came to Canada 23 years ago. He bears years of experience as a City Planner.
Canada’s largest city is Toronto, which comprises a massive population of immigrants. According to reports, more than 50 percent of Toronto’s residents don’t have Canada as their birthplace. However, they managed to establish communities within the vast city and the regions surrounding it.
However, it is crucial to note that the chief candidates haven’t yet talked majorly about immigration and immigrants. Conversely, the current debates on several other matters might significantly impact the Toronto population including the new immigrants.
Toronto’s municipal elections- current issues concerning public transit and housing
The most prominent issues during elections include public transit, less expensive housing, promoting smaller businesses, and the present labor shortage.
Purchasing a home in Toronto can cost you around $1 million. Numerous residents in Toronto face severe challenges due to a lack of feasible housing prices. The expensive housing further leaves them with no other alternative except that of settling anywhere else other than Toronto.
Besides this, the expensive public transit remains another challenge for Toronto residents. Several candidates look forward to making the Toronto Transit Commission either free or less costly for people.
Additionally, there are many critics of the ongoing plans concerning the expansion of the subway system. Many people are vying for the underground subway system. Contrarily, others emphasize the ground light rail above it in those parts of the city which remain under service. These parts of the city have a huge immigrant population. However, Toronto is a vast city, and planning the public transit system will eventually require funds from the provincial and federal governments. As a result, there are delays in executing this plan.
Immigration as the key strategy
Toronto is no different from other parts of Canada when it comes to the labor shortage. Most people will be meeting their retirement age, with reduced birth rates.
Therefore, Toronto largely depends upon the new immigrants settling in the city and contributing to its economy.
As reported, the pandemic resulted in a drastic decline in the number of permanent residents. For instance, the permanent residents who emerged in the city in 2019 accounted for 117,700. In 2020, the permanent resident accounted for 61,045, implying almost a 50 percent reduction.
A Newcomer’s Settlement Strategy came into existence in May 2021 as a revised version. This strategy consists of objectives to assist newcomers, irrespective of their immigration status, to reside in Toronto.
This strategy initially emerged in 2013, but the number of refugees and Covid-19 led to the need to update this strategy. The earlier plan in 2013 gave birth to Toronto Newcomer Day, Refugee Settlement Program, the Newcomer Services Kiosk Program, and Access T.O. Newcomers who would like to request a city service in Toronto won’t have to present any proof of their immigration status. They will have access to include medical services, childcare, food bank, and other emergency services.
Additionally, the updated version of the newcomer’s strategy emphasizes the retraining of employees, encouraging awareness regarding Access T.O, and partnering with stakeholders to systematically work for Canada’s immigration system to help the immigrants in Toronto.
Vote eligibility
The following points make you eligible to vote during elections:
- Must hold Canadian citizenship.
- You must be 18 years old.
- Become a resident of Toronto.
- For those who are not residents of Toronto, you or your spouse must own a property or rent it.
- The law must not restrict you from voting.
Essential points to keep in mind as a voter
You must get your voter card with your name or address, validating your identity on Toronto’s municipal election day. The voter’s identity remains confidential. However, your name and address verify your vote in the neighborhood, while your vote will count as one. You will need to complete the ballot according to the instructions behind the cardboard screen.
