THE ENIGMA

Chris Moise Ward 13 Toronto Centre First elected 2022

When Chris Moise was elected, some assumed the Black, gay mental-health worker would replace Kristyn Wong-Tam both as Toronto Centre councillor and as a member of council’s unofficial NDP caucus.

There were signs, however, that was not Moise’s path.

The former school trustee ended up voting with Tory on major issues half the time — twice as often as most of his fellow downtown progressives, according to a tally kept by Star contributor Matt Elliott.

Moise drew the ire of some advocates for homeless people by saying he wanted to end a large encampment in Allen Gardens, telling a meeting: “I think encampments should not exist. They are not safe for the people there; they are not safe for the people who live nearby.”

In a recent interview, Moise said: “I identify as a progressive. In the minds of some, that means only NDP. I had built a rapport with John Tory when I was a trustee, we met on school board-city issues. I didn’t come (to city hall) to join a team, I came to work on issues.”

Rather than call in city staff and police to tear down tents, he said, he helped coax about 90 people into better housing options. Nine remained in the park when he spoke to the Star.

After Tory resigned in February 2023, Moise endorsed former centrist councillor and housing advocate Ana Bailão for mayor. That happened before Chow joined the race, but he campaigned with Bailão as she tried to beat Chow, a former councillor and NDP MP.

Yet, now he is a Chow ally. His health board chairmanship is a key post under this socially minded mayor. They worked together on the controversial renaming of Yonge-Dundas Square. He has voted with her on almost every major issue so far. But, Moise noted, he is nobody’s guaranteed vote and is still not on a team.

“People are always trying to set the narrative as to what I am and what I’m not,” he said. “I’m not here to prove anything to anyone, but I sit on about 12 committees and the majority of my colleagues on council respect me.”

Collegiality will end, however, if any of those colleagues challenge council’s decision to change the name of the city’s central square to Sankofa from Dundas.

“The people who have been very vocal against the renaming don’t reflect the people who have been harmed by it, and that is very telling,” said Moise, originally from the Caribbean island Dominica. “Me, as a Black person having to endure some of the hatred ... it has been very difficult. Thankfully I’ve had some other community leaders come to me and say ‘You did the right thing.’ ”

What to watch A progressive who supports Chow, Moise has an independent streak that could see him go his own way on issues and potentially support somebody else in the next mayoral election.

I didn’t come (to city hall) to join a team, I came to work on issues.

CHRIS MOISE WARD 13 TORONTO CENTRE