The Race Begins

My approach to campaigning starts with a look at my first day.

My children Kyra and Tom, from my mayoral race in 2018

After being screened for weapons by security, ignored by camera crews, and greeted warmly by Elections Toronto staff, I registered at City Hall to be a mayoral candidate in the 2023 election. The first day of election season had started, woohoo!

Actually, I can’t say that I felt total jubilation. Two of the welcomes I had at City Hall perfectly illustrated my frustrations with the status quo. But I felt optimistic about the possibilities thanks to the third.

First, the screening. Upon entering our seat of civic democracy, I encountered security procedures that treat all visitors as a potential threat. I want an atmosphere of welcome at city hall instead. That the city spends hundreds of thousands a dollars a year on its fortress mentality (read more about this in my previous essay on the topic), feels wrong to me. How about we save $400,000 and eliminate security theatre instead? Let’s stop using control to create the illusion of safety.

Second, the disinterested media. There were camera crews from three different networks waiting at City Hall. They didn’t ask me who I was, or what I was running on. They wanted candidates who fit their definition of news worthy, and I wasn’t one of them. It’s not that they completely ignore me - I had a bit of coverage in my last campaign, and was even given one interview yesterday - CBC Radio Canada (French language CBC ) which you can listen to here. But the kind of media coverage that gives critically important name recognition to candidates is generally bestowed only on those who already have it - those with money, power or political party connections. Having them ignore me on my way into City Hall brought those familiar feelings of discouragement, anger and frustration that I have when I see how they cover not just the mayoral race but other issues I care about. Yet to expect them to act outside their business model, to expect them to promote the ideas or people that don’t serve their interests, is insanity. Thinking the media should do things differently, and getting angry as a result is like banging my head against a brick wall. Why do I do it when it hurts so much?! So rather than chasing after the media, I’m going to do my best to be findable elsewhere for those who are seeking something new this election.

Third, the friendly Elections Toronto staff greeting. One of them called out “a candidate is here” as soon as they spotted me coming through security, which made me feel warm, heard and seen. They checked my paperwork with care, interest and humour. Though they were looking for problems, they were also in solution mode, helpful just as I have found them in the past. The people behind the system are what I want to remember, as I both criticize our existing systems and suggest how I’d like things to be. Our bureaucratic system has somehow been designed or evolved to often work against us, and that’s what I want to change so that our city can thrive.

Many believe that a mayoral campaign must involve raising and spending lots of money on things that I don’t like and that don’t make the city better. Things like lawn signs, robocalls, and flyers do very little to educate and engage people who are not already interested in politics. And though some candidates love it, I find going door to door or approaching strangers to ask them to vote for me painful. As I walked away from City Hall I pondered how I could run without doing what doesn’t bring me joy or satisfaction.

What I do love is talking with people who are open to a vision of a better city. I enjoy giving interviews, I enjoy talking to crowds, I enjoy answering questions, and I love to write. So my mayoral campaign will be about doing that. I will write here on Substack with my own ideas of the changes I want. I’ll listen and respond to people who seek me out. And I’ll be open to whatever surprises arise along the way.

The mayoral campaign is not just about who wins. It’s about spreading ideas that can grow long after election day. The fact that you are reading this means you’re one of the people who wants to question the status quo. You’re interested in more than what the front page says. You’re exercising your power of choice and are educating yourself on what could be possible, not just what’s already happening. I admire you for doing so and thank you. By being here, you tell me there is energy for the changes I want in the world. Onward we go!