Vol. CXXXV, No. 5
The University of Toronto’s Student Newspaper Since 1880
29 September, 2014
Vying for the student vote Olivia Chow, Doug Ford, John Tory discuss youth unemployment, public transit, housing vincial parliament and head of the Ontario Progressive Conservative party from 2004 to 2009, previously ran for mayor of Toronto in 2003 and lost the race to David Miller in a close election. Tory’s private sector experience includes time as a reporter, lawyer, broadcaster, and businessman. Tory noted that students are critically important to the city of Toronto. “These 300,000 post-secondary students are the future generators of cultural and economic life in this city,” he said. Tory also recognized the challenges young people face when looking for a job. “Youth unemployment is at an all-time high, and that’s a massive concern for students,” he said. Tory pledged to double the number of companies in the Partnership to Advance Youth Employment, a joint initiative between private sector employers and the City of Toronto, to create thousands of new jobs for
young people and make it easier for them to connect with businesses. He also committed to coordinate and consolidate Toronto’s youth employment services. A Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives report found that, in 2013, the unemployment rate for Ontario youth aged 15–24 ranged between 16–17.1 per cent. The national unemployment rate for youth aged 15–24 ranged between 13.5–14.5 per cent over the same time period. Olivia Chow served as a Toronto city councillor from 1991 to 2005, and New Democratic Party member of parliament for the Trinity-Spadina riding from 2006 to 2014. She resigned her seat last March in order to run for mayor. “Students are our current and future leaders,” said Chow. “They are community builders, who hold our future prosperity and quality of life in their hands. I know it’s a difficult
market for jobs, and education is expensive,” she added. Chow emphasized the importance of promoting economic growth in the city. “We have a growing and vital environment for new business and investment. I will support this through revamping Enterprise Toronto to make it easier to find support, multi-lingual services, and mentorship,” she said. Chow promised to consolidate Toronto’s economic and non-governmental organizations, such as the Toronto Region Board of Trade and Toronto Financial Services Association, into one body. She also committed to hiring young people directly for certain city intiatives, such as tree-planting, and requiring companies with large city contracts to hire and train young people. Ford, a former city councillor, has released few details on his campaign platform, but said it will be similar to
that of his brother. “Why do I want to be Mayor of Toronto? Simply put, I want to carry forward the agenda that Rob [Ford] and I started together,” Ford said in a fundraising email, as reported in the Toronto Sun. Ford’s campaign platform centres on keeping taxes low and cutting red tape. He also committed to investing $30 million a year in Toronto Transit Commission (ttc) service improvements, building the Yonge Relief Line, and completing the Sheppard subway line.
Comment
Features
Arts & Culture
Science
The merits of breadth requirements
The good, the bad, and the university
Where to eat on campus
In conversation with Bill Nye
Sports A magical sport hits U of T
Two writers weigh in on the policy
Students share why they love (or hate) their experience at U of T
Cheap spots to fill up between classes
How the renowned Science Guy chose his career path
Learn about the muggle interpretation of Qudditch
Salvatore Basilone and Spencer Knibutat VARSITY STAFF
Toronto residents will soon head to the polls to elect a new mayor and city council. Of the 60 prospective candidates, Olivia Chow, Doug Ford, and John Tory are the lead contenders for the city’s top job. Ford entered the mayoral race on September 12 after his brother, incumbent mayor Rob Ford, was diagnosed with malignant liposarcoma. The Varsity spoke with Olivia Chow and John Tory to get their perspective on student-related issues, including transit, youth unemployment, and affordable housing. Doug Ford did not respond to numerous requests for comment.
CANDIDATE PERSPECTIVES John Tory, a former member of pro-
ON TRANSIT Besides housing, some students also cited transit and bicycles lanes as two of the most crucial election issues. The ttc is the third largest transit system in North America, after Mexico City and New York City, with
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