This is an article I did last Tuesday, a day after Toronto's mayoral election. Like every other news outlet, we had to get the scoop on what people thought of Rob Ford winning the mayoral election. I did well on this assignment!
Yesterday, voters scrambled to their local polling stations in the hope that their voice would finally be heard. After only eight minutes, Ford won the election as Toronto's next mayor. The win has received mixed reactions from Toronto citizens, with some excited for change, and others simply hoping for the best.
A problem on some of their minds is spending in City Hall, which people hope will change with Ford in office.
"The money that goes into city hall, you don't know where it goes," says Alhamid Khoja, a verification officer for CIBC. "In an article I read in the Metro newspaper, they said one politician's cellphone bill was $23,000. Where does it come from? It's our money. Ford wants to freeze salaries of councillors and cut down on council size, so I think he's trying to take care of our money.
Other citizens are happy that the TTC and garbage as essential services are on Ford's list of priorities.
"He wants to chop off as lot of things, but I don't know if he'll get a lot of support," says Charlie Smith, a 46-year-old marketing firm employee. "I think it's good that he wants to make the TTC and garbage essential services, and infrastructure really has to be fixed."
Peter Gibbins agrees that it's time that the government put its focus on the TTC.
"A change is going to come, especially the TTC and garbage," says the 53-year-old heavy equipment operator. "The TTC was supposed to be an essential service years ago. Many older people like me have lost faith in politics. Maybe he's going to make a change, but we'll have to see.
Some citizens, however, are skeptical.
"I think (his win) is a sign of very unhappy taxpayers," says Bertha Madott, a 62-year-old Toronto resident. "Ford promises to reform taxes and clean up the city. There will be change, but it may not necessarily be good change. There will be a turning against labour issues," says Madott, referring to Ford's plan to outsource garbage collecting to a private company.
"Workers' rights are in jeopardy, and I don't think that's the answer. He may find himself stymied by the bureaucracy."
Ford has said he wants to freeze spending for the arts, a decision that worries people like Ian Carleton, who works in cinematography.
"I'm kind of spooked because this affects me," says Carleton. "We'll have to see what happens."
Others are worried about how the mayor's policies will affect social services and welfare.
"He's not a community minded man," says Jillian Warner, a 37-year-old community services worker.
"Toronto has great services, and Ford says he wants to cut taxes, which is good. But once you cut these taxes, what money maintains the arts, libraries and recreation?"
Warner is surprised Ford got the majority vote despite some of his negative history. Ford stirred controversy in August, when he was accused of having racist views on immigration when he said, "We can't even deal with the 2.5 million people now...I think we have to say enough's enough."
"Toronto is a world-class city," says Warner. "But he hasn't proven to be a world-class man."
Dennis Reinsborough, a 65-year-old Ford supporter, begs to differ.
"I believe you can trust him. We're going to win back the city and he's going to make sure people are taken care of," says Reinsborough. "We're sick of politicians catering to privileged groups and their political friends instead of fixing the problems in the city. He's a man of action."
Reinsborough, who says he is not normally involved in politics, believes Ford is a genuine man of his word and will put an end to careless spending.
Despite the mixed responses, Ford's victory now leaves everyone anxious to see the promised changes in Toronto.
"One never knows," says Madott. "Being elected is not the same as being a good member of the government."
