Will John Tory’s ‘prudent’ leadership be tough enough to tackle Toronto’s big issues if he’s re-elected?
John Tory is one of Toronto’s most revered and respected politicians. His “pro-business, pro-market” approach is seen by many as a key reason he was able to lead the city during a period of deep economic problems.
Tory’s recent victory could set him up to do something he’s been unable to do for a long time: govern an entire city.
The 2018 municipal election is now in the books, and it’s time to start talking about what we can expect from the next mayor. I’m not the only one speculating, and we’re still a month away from the next election.
So how should we read the results of this election?
There’s no shortage of opinions, and a wide range of views, on what Toronto’s mayor-elect will do with a majority on council. But the most prevalent view is to focus on policy.
The policy debate will be intense, and many will say that we should all stop and think about what Tory will do for the city, because that will be the most salient political question.
But I am more interested in what he will do as mayor than how he will achieve that. There will be plenty of other issues Toronto could be addressing, but there are many more problems that will have to be tackled with a Tory-led government.
Here are five of the biggest challenges that will have to wait, thanks to Tory’s election victory.
Tory’s city council will be a weak, ineffective opposition.
I understand that everyone’s personal opinion is shaped by their own circumstances, and that all of us have our own views about what would ‘best’ happen for the city.
But I will say this: I don’t believe Tory’s council will be able to do very much as an opposition.
And even if he can win re-election, it seems highly unlikely that the mayor-elect will have time to be that effective in opposition