A refreshing change

ot just Toronto but all of Canada should be cheering John Tory’s victory Monday in the city’s mayoral race. Few elections in the country held as much interest as the expected three-way battle for the city’s top job. The polls proved correct and Mr. Tory cruised to victory despite a strong showing from Doug Ford while Olivia Chow finished a disappointing and distant third.

As the country’s largest and most dynamic city, Toronto is Canada’s window on the world. When foreigners think of Canada, they think of Toronto. If someone embarrasses the city, it reflects badly on us all, and there was plenty of that the last two years

Former Mayor Rob Ford’s drug and alcohol issues and outrageous outbursts brought the city, province and country into disrepute. We became an international laughing stock and the butt of countless late night talk show jokes. The city needed a return to sanity by electing a competent mayor who can serve through consensus while bringing stable, competent, sensible and accountable leadership. Mr. Tory is a welcome and refreshing change.

Toronto shares many challenges shared by municipalities across the country, including here on P.E.I., such as public transit, affordable housing and rebuilding infrastructure. Mr. Tory is ideally suited as a key municipal leader who can lobby Ottawa on behalf of cities and towns across Canada.

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