Olivia Chow, the recently elected Mayor of Toronto, discusses her experiences and challenges in managing the city, including the financial impact of COVID-19 and the need for transparency in city finances. She also explores the dynamics between Toronto and the federal and provincial governments, and reflects on her past collaboration with Jack Layton and the importance of working together.
Olivia Chow aims to create a more caring and affordable city by addressing homelessness, improving public transit, and creating affordable housing.
Chow's biggest challenge as mayor is navigating Toronto's $1.5 billion deficit, proposing measures like increased taxes and involving stakeholders for transparent and inclusive budgeting.
Deep dives
Olivia Chow's Unexpected Second Chance to Run for Mayor of Toronto
Olivia Chow, former Member of Parliament, never expected to return to city politics after her time in Ottawa. However, when Toronto Mayor John Tory resigned, she saw the opportunity and jumped back in the race. Despite not having the advantage of pre-election planning, Chow's campaign has been going well. Her focus is on building a caring and affordable city, with initiatives to address homelessness, improve public transit, and create affordable housing. Chow's governing style involves actively involving stakeholders and the public in decision-making, aiming to make the city government more inclusive and responsive to the needs of all Torontonians. Despite some challenges, she remains determined to work alongside Ontario Premier Doug Ford and the federal government to secure the funding and support needed to address Toronto's pressing issues, such as housing and infrastructure.
Challenges and Solutions in Toronto's Municipal Budget
Olivia Chow's biggest challenge as mayor of Toronto is navigating the city's budget, particularly the significant deficit of $1.5 billion. To address this, Chow has proposed measures such as increased taxes on high-value home purchases and vacant properties, with the goal of addressing the housing crisis. She is also committed to investing in public transit, restoring cuts to the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC), and creating affordable housing through the purchase and conversion of old buildings. Chow's approach involves engaging with city councilors to understand their priorities and involving the public in the decision-making process to ensure a more democratic and inclusive budget. While acknowledging that not all requests may be feasible due to financial constraints, she believes in the importance of transparency and accountability in municipal finances.
The Importance of Collaboration and Participatory Democracy
Olivia Chow emphasizes the need for collaboration between all three levels of government – municipal, provincial, and federal – to effectively address the challenges facing Toronto. She believes that open dialogue and cooperation are essential for providing quality public services and responding to community needs. Chow encourages a more inclusive and participatory form of governance, where diverse voices are represented. By involving stakeholders and residents in decision-making processes, she aims to build trust in institutions and promote a sense of collective responsibility. Chow believes that through sharing experiences and finding common ground, Toronto can become a more prosperous, caring, and harmonious city.
Building a Welcoming and Diverse City while Addressing Housing Crisis
Olivia Chow highlights the importance of immigration and newcomers in fostering the vibrancy and inclusivity of Toronto. She celebrates the city's diverse cultural festivals and the harmonious coexistence of different communities. However, Chow acknowledges that Toronto is grappling with a housing crisis and calls for increased investment in affordable housing. She seeks financial support from the federal and provincial governments to build more housing units, particularly since Toronto has not built enough affordable housing in the past three decades. Chow emphasizes that welcoming immigrants is only meaningful if there is sufficient housing and support to ensure their successful integration and contribution to the city. Through collaboration and innovative solutions, Chow envisions a Toronto that remains diverse, compassionate, and affordable for all residents.
When John Tory resigned as mayor of Toronto, Olivia Chow decided to take another shot at the job. Despite much of the establishment lining up against her, she won. She talks to Paul about that campaign, and about trying to implement her vision for the city on a shorter-than-usual term, while dealing with a $1.5 billion deficit from COVID.
This episode was recorded live at the University of Toronto’s Munk School.
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