Categories
Election Politics Toronto

Mapping the council race in Ward 25, Scarborough-Rouge Park

I start my analysis of the 25 council races with Ward 25, Scarborough–Rouge Park, where Neethan Shan, the incumbent councillor for old Ward 42, lost in a very tight race to Jennifer McKelvie, who was elected to public office for the first time. Both candidates originally ran in different areas under the approved 47 wards […]

Categories
Election Maps Toronto

Mapping the results of the 2018 election, Part I (updated)

How each of Toronto’s 25 wards voted for mayor November 8, 2018: I updated this post to look at the results for fourth place mayoral candidate Saron Gebresellassi. I started this website four years ago after I began producing maps of the local council races and ward-level results of the 2014 municipal election and sharing them […]

Categories
Election Politics Toronto

Toronto election 2018: no surprises

Last night, there were some disappointments and one or two bright spots in the results of Toronto’s municipal election, but there were no big surprises. It was disappointing to see voter turnout drop. In 2014, 54.7% of eligible voters turned out. There was a three-way mayoral race between John Tory, Doug Ford, and Olivia Chow. […]

Categories
Brampton Development Politics Transit Urban Planning

What’s next for Downtown Brampton?

Boarded up houses on Elizabeth Street, Downtown Brampton Earlier this year, the provincial government announced the location of Ryerson University’s Brampton campus, a partnership with Sheridan College, to be built on the GO Station parking lot in Downtown Brampton. Meanwhile, Metrolinx quietly purchased several houses and office buildings south of the station for new GO […]

Categories
Election Politics Toronto

The final days of a brutal municipal election

Toronto’s municipal election will take place in a few days, on Monday, October 22. A few months ago, I was energized by the possibilities a 47 ward council would bring, with several open races where new voices could be elected. I was looking forward to seeing Dan Fox win on his second try in North […]

Categories
Election Parks Toronto Urban Planning

Why closing Toronto’s public golf courses is a boon to the public

Dentonia Park Golf Course Yesterday, Thanksgiving Monday, mayoral candidate Jennifer Keesmaat proposed closing three of Toronto’s five municipally-owned golf courses. Keesmaat, Toronto’s previous chief planner, pointed out that the municipal golf courses operate at a loss, and that $10 million is allocated for improvements to those three courses. Furthermore, she intends to consult the local communities […]

Categories
Cycling Ontario Travels Urban Planning

Brantford’s downtown was the “worst in Canada” – but has it bounced back?

It’s complicated.

Categories
Election Maps Politics Toronto

Mapping the 2018 candidates for Toronto City Council, Bill 5 edition (updated)

Toronto City Council voting on a legal challenge to Bill 5, August 20, 2018 September 21 update: nominations are now closed, and I updated the map. Councillor Cesar Palacio dropped out in Davenport; this practically ensures that fellow incumbent Ana Bailao will be re-elected. There are 19 candidates in Toronto Centre, where popular incumbent Kristyn […]

Categories
Election Politics Toronto

How do you solve a problem like Mammoliti?

Giorgio Mammoliti, long-time Toronto City Council, is a great poster child for what’s wrong with municipal politics. Arrogant and obnoxous, Councillor Mammoliti has made a name for himself by flouting council rules and election laws, by demeaning his constituents, picking fights with other members of council, and pursuing media attention with crass stunts and outrageous […]

Categories
Ontario Toronto Transit

How YRT service cuts at York University demonstrate a failure of regional transit

York University Subway Station, opening day On Sunday, December 17, 2017, the TTC opened the long-awaited $3.2 billion Toronto-York Spadina Subway Extension to York University and the City of Vaughan. The extension of Line 1, which included six new stations, opened over two years behind schedule largely due to construction-related delays. It was the first subway […]