Two-term metropolis councillor Brad Bradford is working for mayor with a marketing campaign that focusses on housing and public security.
Bradford serves because the Chair of the Planning and Housing Committee, Vice Chair of Toronto and East York Neighborhood Council (TEYCC), and as member of the Toronto Arts Board and CreateTO Board.
Earlier than saying his candidacy, Bradford created an advisory group that included a various assortment of Torontonians together with some well-known lobbyists and other people from either side of the political spectrum.
Bradford was additionally shut with John Tory, and common a metropolis corridor beneath his management as much like the previous mayor however sooner.
Here’s what Brad Bradford has to say:
What was your first job?
A golf caddy in highschool…although I don’t play.
What’s the worst piece of profession recommendation you’ve ever acquired?
“Don’t ask questions” was undoubtedly the worst recommendation. At all times ask questions regardless of how dumb you suppose they could sound. Likelihood is excessive that another person has the identical query as you.
What does Brad Bradford love most about Toronto?
Simply how vibrant it’s and that regardless of who you’re or the place you come from, we’re a metropolis that claims “If you wish to be right here, we need to have you ever.” We have to get again to that.
What do you dislike essentially the most?
An excessive amount of speak, not sufficient motion at Metropolis Corridor. The visitors is fairly brutal, too.
The place is the primary place you ship guests?
For nature, the Bluffs. For major road procuring and drinks, Ossington.
The place is the perfect view within the metropolis?
Riverdale Park, particularly at sundown.
What’s your favorite special day restaurant?
It’s a tie amongst Lake Inez, Le Sélect, or Summerhill Terroni.
What’s the final present you noticed in Toronto?
Demise from Above 1979 on the Horseshoe Tavern final month.
When is the final time Brad Bradford took public transit in Toronto?
This morning.
Have you ever ever commuted by bicycle within the metropolis?
Positively. Must beat the visitors. My Bike Share account may be very energetic.
The place is your favorite place to get away from all of it?
Nothing higher than a morning within the park with my two 12 months outdated daughter, Briar.
Gardiner Expressway – proceed with hybrid choice, sure or no?
Completely. Site visitors congestion in Toronto is among the many largest frustrations I hear from individuals all throughout town. The very last thing the individuals of Toronto need is to reopen settled debates and delay initiatives with new research. It received’t handle Toronto’s congestion and can solely improve prices and make gridlock even worse. We’ve got to maneuver forward on across the clock rebuilding development – getting happening the hybrid method may also scale back development time by at the very least 2 years and unlock 7.5 acres of land for housing redevelopment sooner.
Do you help the Ontario Place Thermé Spa undertaking?
The Province’s plans for his or her Ontario Place lands ought to completely embrace a public park house for Torontonians and guests alike. Ripping the Ontario Science Centre out of the Don Valley and shifting it to Ontario Place with out session is an insult to the 1000’s of households in Flemingdon Park, Thorncliffe Park, and different neighbouring communities who depend on this cultural hub for schooling, jobs, and neighborhood programming. As Mayor of Toronto, I’ll work with the local people to maintain the Science Centre the place it has thrived for years.
What’s your definition of inexpensive housing?
All people has their very own definition of affordability, and that’s why my plan will improve our housing provide of all forms of properties by delivering the “lacking center” and unlocking government-owned lands to construct extra inexpensive housing. I may also streamline the bureaucratic approvals course of and empower the Growth and Development Division in order that Metropolis employees act with the urgency wanted to unravel Toronto’s housing disaster and enhance service requirements that trigger numerous undertaking delays.
What extra can town do to assist these experiencing homelessness in Toronto?
Toronto wants a Housing First method that will get on the root of the homelessness and balances respect for human rights with respect for the neighborhood. We want predictable funding from the higher tiers of presidency for shelter and supportive housing initiatives, and to chop the Metropolis’s crimson tape that slows down constructing much-needed housing.
Does town have a public security downside? In that case, what’s your answer?
I’ve been listening to from individuals all throughout Toronto that they really feel unsafe, notably on the TTC. Security needs to be the highest precedence. We want pressing motion to cease the rise in crime and see justice upheld for all of Toronto. After years of infinite debate and delays – I’ll take decisive motion, together with by a brand new devoted Bail Compliance Items with the Toronto Police Service. That might maintain tabs on these out on alleged violent crimes and scale back re-offences.
Are Toronto residents going to should pay extra in taxes to enhance high quality of life within the metropolis? If not, what’s the reply?
I need to be clear and upfront about the place I stand: As Mayor, I’m dedicated to preserving taxes inexpensive for all Torontonians and promise to carry property tax will increase to the speed of inflation. Olivia Chow, then again, has advised the residents of Toronto that she is going to improve taxes as mayor. I disagree.
Is Doug Ford’s interference within the metropolis inflicting an issue, sure or no?
One factor I hear continually; Torontonians are uninterested in infinite debate at metropolis corridor and the fixed backwards and forwards blaming with none accountability. I imagine town wants robust management that cares extra about delivering outcomes for Torontonians than scoring political factors. That’s why I’ve been clear about my intent to make use of robust mayor powers to get town again on observe.
What would you say is Toronto’s most iconic meals?
I can’t choose only one particular meals however I like all the nice combos of fusion delicacies that you simply received’t discover anyplace else.
When you had been to help a car-free zone within the metropolis the place wouldn’t it be?
With all the development downtown, it’s time to unlock gridlock by my King Streetcar Categorical Zone. Put the Queen and King streetcars on King Road, not on Richmond and Adelaide.
Is town doing sufficient to battle the local weather disaster? If not, what would you do in a different way?
As Mayor, I’ll proceed the Metropolis’s Internet Zero Technique to make sure Toronto does its half to fight local weather change. This contains transitioning to extra electrical autos and growing entry to chargers – for residents and throughout the Metropolis’s automobile fleet. The federal authorities should additionally proceed to be an energetic associate within the Metropolis’s local weather mitigation work so we will renew our infrastructure and be ready for extreme climate occasions.
What must be carried out concerning public transit, the cuts and the low ridership?
A very powerful factor we will do proper now could be to right away handle the challenges Torontonians face whereas utilizing transit. Folks don’t really feel secure. My four-point transit security motion plan, SafeTTC Now, will: set up platform edge doorways, increase safety and security patrols, enhance on-site psychological well being and addictions sources, and at last convey cell reception to subways, no matter your service supplier.
What’s your very best quality?
Relentless vitality.
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