I thought that if I was going to attend this debate, I might as well bring the notebook and note items of interest. Let's see what happens.
The debate starts with 5 minutes by each of the candidates.
George starts with a Salaam Aleichem, Eid Mubarek. I will let you know if he says anything that cannot be found on his web site.
– Toronto has not fulfilled its potential in terms of creating jobs
– 2011 tax, hiring and new spending freeze
– 100 day review
– job, jobs, jobs – city gov't supporting entrepreneurs
– let diversity communities get more of the work
Joe:
My story is a Toronto story. My parents were sharecroppers. We live in a city where immigrants are allowed to succeed.
My father was a city builder – pick and shovel.
Believe in going forward.
Public service is an honourable profession.
Sample success is CNE. Brought back to place of celebrations, festivals, green technology
Poster child for renewable energy around the world
Ex profit of $9M – possible to invest and get geturn.
Running against a bunch of mini-Mike Harrises
Rob:
Proud that he and brothers have expanded family business
Married
Candidate with 10 years of council and 20 years of private sector experience
Screams about waste at city hall
– $9M of waste
Abolish land transfer tax and car reg tax
Cut council in half
Only candidate who can put an end to gravy train
Spending like drunken sailors
The party is over.
Rocco Rossi:
Starts with a Salaam.
Good start making contact with Persian community – anecdotes about past with community
I am the son of immigrants, etc. – runs the resume
Public service is not a job but a calling – term limits
Spending but not getting value
Ford's plan has good instincts but Ford does not have effective plan to implement
(does that mean Rocco should be Rob's assistant, implementing his ideas?)
Strong Toronto in strong GTA
Good applause.
Gridlock:
George: Building transit. Ten year transit plan. First phase by Pan-Am Games.
Rocco: TTC is like a transit museum. Need to do two things:
What can Toronto do?
Politicians have to be removed from TTC board.
Cannot understand on-time, on-budget.
Put good governance in place like province put skills based board in place at Metrolinx
Sell assets to pay off debt, reallocate payments paid to bankers.
Joey Pants:
Gridlock on the head of provincial gov't. They do regional planning.
The others – just talk! More expensive subways. Transit City is amazing plan, agreed to and intelligent.
Irresponsible other candidates.
Build to approved plans.
Rob Ford:
Continue transportation plan to Sheppard
Loop to Scar Town Centre
We don't want street cars!
People want subways
If McGuinty does not give $3B he will have to suffer the wrath of the Toronto voters
If prov does not give the money, subways will not be built
Not a one of them talked about anything but transit. What about roads, traffic lights, tolls, etc.
How to better integrate new Canadians?
George:
Mentoring
Diversity is his priority – takes a shot at Rob Ford
Canadian Experience Trap
Rocco:
Credentials gap
Matching skills to jobs available
Language training – transformed mother's life
Daycare for women
Leverage value and strengths of various ethno-cultural chambers of commerce to provide opportunities
When opportunities available at city hall make sure they are advertised properly
JP:
Loss that doctors, lawyers, etc are driving cabs in Toronto
Programs to help people help themselves
Rob Ford:
Some of my best friends are Persian
Many Persians are on my team
Through Rotary, etc
Work together
Rocco: The people are coming. The immigrants are coming. If Rob can't deal with it, get out of the way.
Q3: Status of Toronto as a World Class City
GS: Toronto can only be a world-class city if diversity engaged. George thinks TO is not a world class city! #voteTO
Rocco: Been a senior exec at multi-national corps. Speak 4 languages. Must have GTA strategy. Want to compete against Dallas, Mumbai etc rather than against Missisauga.
Pants: Toronto is one of the best cities in the world. Amazing city. Others saying Toronto is a mess. That's not how you sell the city.
Ford: First thing to do is reduce commercial tax rates. We need to clean up the city. Exchange 22 politicians for 100 new police.More taking credit for Woodbine Live. Daddy was an MPP. I am only one with real business experience.
Rocco: Rocco: I honour and respect Mr. Ford's business experience. But he has only been hired by one employer, his daddy.
Question: Childcare. Pascal report on hub model on childcare. Full day learning experiences for pre-school.
GS: Likes Pascal's work. Strong supporter of hub delivery model. Need to make sure to preserve and expand subsidized daycare. Use empty schools as community hubs for delivery of social services
RR: Huge proponent of education. Have to expand daycare opportunities. Make better use of empty schools. Work with Learning Enrichment, leveraging volunteer time. Give more opportunities.
Pants: Supports community hubs. Province headed in right direction. Not running for Premier but mayor. Of all taxes collected, 8% stays in Toronto. Reinvestment not good. That's why no national daycare. 24K kids get subsidized daycare. Will keep that. Pants would fight for feds and province to live up to responsibilities to Torontonians.
Ford: Full day pre-school is where money should be spent. Save money by reducing expenses ($53K). Spending problem at city hall, not revenue program.