With Mel Lastman’s decision not to seek a third term, Toronto voters anticipate a lively race for mayor and perhaps many changes at City Hall.
The municipal election is nine months away, but many wonder—Who will replace Lastman? There are five top contenders: Barbara Hall, John Nunziata, David Miller, John Tory and Tom Jakobek. Ranging from the left to the far right of the political spectrum, they are likely to bring contrasting visions to a debate Toronto wants and needs.
Barbara Hall is considered the front-runner. From 1994 to 1997, Hall served as mayor of pre-megacity Toronto. During this time, she guided the city through three extremely productive and exciting years. Under her leadership, Toronto enjoyed a period of economic growth and confidence, social progress and cultural resurgence.
Before her election, Hall served as councillor for downtown Toronto’s Ward 7 for nine years. Prior to entering public life she ran a law practice specializing in family and criminal litigation, real estate and small business law. She was a co-founder and teacher at Point Blank School, and was a street worker at Central Neighbourhood House as well as a youth worker at the YWCA.
Hall was unable to return any phone calls as she is out of the country, but a representative from her office e-mailed a response when asked about post-secondary education.
“Hall’s longstanding support for a student Metropass may be included in our recommendations for transportation policy, rather than a policy announcement on post-secondary education which, as you know, is not really a municipal matter,” said Elizabeth Wilson, Hall’s policy co-chair.
The next candidate, John Nunziata, was first elected to public office in 1978 at age 23 while still a law student. He served two terms as an alderman for the city of York. Nunziata was soon elected as a Liberal Member of Parliament for York South-Weston in Toronto. He was re-elected three times, serving a total of 16 years in Parliament. In 1997, Nunziata made history by being the only non-party member elected to the House of Commons, a distinction achieved by only a few individuals since Confederation. He was also instrumental in the rebuilding of the national Liberal party after its defeat at the hands of Brian Mulroney’s Conservatives in 1984.
During his political career, Nunziata served on numerous committees, boards and commissions including the Finance, Industry and Justice Standing Committees of the House of Commons. He served as Official Opposition Critic for the Solicitor General, and Official Opposition Critic for Employment. He served as Toronto Caucus Chair and was Chair of the Canada-Taiwan Parliamentary Friendship Association for four years.
“It is in the jurisdiction of the provincial government, yet it affects our city in significant ways. John is looking at restoring confidence to city hall, and working as an equal partner with the federal government,” said the communications chair for Nunziata’s campaign.
The third candidate, David Miller, is city councillor for High Park-Parkdale (Ward 13). Before entering politics, Miller was a partner at prominent Toronto law firm Aird & Berlis, where he specialized in employment, immigration and shareholder rights litigation. He remains a member of the Law Society of Upper Canada and is a graduate of U of T’s law school and Harvard (he graduated Magna Cum Laude in economics).
On council, Miller has served as Chair of the Special Council Committee to oversee amalgamation, the City’s Civic Participation Initiative, the Oak Ridges Moraine Committee, the Immigration and Refugee Committee and the Personnel Sub-Committee. He is particularly interested in childcare, small business and public transit issues and is a TTC Commissioner, Co-Chair of the Transportation Management Association, former member of the GO Transit Board and Greater Toronto Services Board and chaired Metro’s former Pro-Transit Sub-Committee.
“I would hope that education is Toronto’s greatest strength, and I believe that increasing tuition fees will lose that strength. As for a student Metropass, I am hoping to create something that will work for post-secondary students as well as young adults. Opportunity needs to be given to everyone, so that their issues can be heard,” said Miller.
John Tory is a graduate of Osgoode Hall Law School, holding a Bachelor of Laws, as well as a B.A. from Trinity College. As president and CEO of Rogers Cable Inc. since 1999, he led Canada’s largest cable television service provider in the challenging transition from a monopoly environment to an open-competition marketplace.
Tory’s passion for Toronto has led him to be a volunteer director of such organizations as the Canadian Film Centre, the Canadian Paraplegic Association, Crimestoppers, Famous People Players, St. Michael’s Hospital, the Salvation Army, the Doctors Hospital, the Toronto Association for Community Living, the United Way, U of T and the Women’s Legal Education & Action Fund (LEAF). He has led record fundraising campaigns for a number of these organizations. In 2002 he was honoured as Volunteer Fundraiser of the Year. He also volunteered his time for nine years as Chairman of the Canadian Football League.
Tom Jakobek, was Toronto’s former budget chief, and a graduate of Victoria College with a certificate in Public Administration and Master’s Health Science.
He also did his first year undergrad at U of T Scarborough where he spearheaded a plan to build a library. Jakobek has served the Beaches and East Toronto community for more than 15 years as a school trustee and city councillor.
“Education should not be a commodity but a necessity.
I am a walking example of what high school and undergrad students would want to be,” said Jakobek.
