Part 3 of 3 focusing on the Scarborough-Rouge Park by-election. Toronto’s councillors make decisions on how well our public transit system runs or whether the road gets cleared after a snowstorm. They’re on the frontlines when floods, wildfires and other emergencies strike. Yet, voter turnout for municipal elections is notoriously low, having declined by 27.5 per cent city-wide in the last election.
With just over a week to go until what could be a pivotal turning point for Scarborough in the Ward 25 by-election, a ward that’s long been overlooked and underfunded, most residents still don’t know it’s happening.
Some candidates pining for a seat at city council say there’s no “bells and whistles,” no “war on parties,” while others find the freedom from party antics refreshing and think it could be time for the right leader to step up and get a win for the city’s most eastern ward. But does any of that matter if no one’s paying attention? Mia Johnson reports.
By-election day is September 29. There will be two days of advance voting on September 20 and 21.
Additional reporting and fact-checking for this series is done by Kinza Zafar. Met Radio has reached out to all candidates in Ward 25.