The questions in this guide were shaped by people who live, work, and participate in Toronto-Danforth.

A call went out to residents and people with knowledge of housing, transportation, planning, public space, community services, education, local business, municipal government, climate and neighbourhood life. They were asked a simple question:

What should the next councillor be prepared to address over the next four years?

The response was broader than a list of issues. Some contributors identified major policy questions. Others pointed to a particular street, park, service, business corridor, or problem they have encountered in their neighbourhood.

Those responses were organized into 12 areas and developed into a set of questions designed around a common test:

What can a councillor actually accomplish, advance or meaningfully influence during a four-year term?

Each section includes a primary question and three deeper questions. The deeper questions are intended to help residents move from broad campaign positions to specific commitments, trade-offs and measurable outcomes.

The guide also recognizes the limits of municipal government. A councillor does not control every issue that affects Toronto-Danforth. Some responsibilities belong to the TTC, school boards, the Province or the federal government. Many require cooperation across governments and community organizations.

That is why the questions ask candidates to explain not only what they want to see happen, but what they can do, who they need to work with, and how residents will know whether progress has been made.

Contributors

The following contributors gave permission to be identified:

Jean-François Pagé
Kate Mulligan
Alison Duke
Ara Mamourian
Marie Wilson
Lanrick Bennett

Others chose to remain anonymous, and their ideas are included throughout the guide.

The perspectives gathered for this guide helped shape the issues and questions that follow. The questions are designed for the broader Toronto-Danforth community to use when engaging with candidates, comparing their answers, and making their own decisions.

The questions are for everyone who wants to engage in the conversation. The answers belong to the candidates. The choice belongs to voters.