Tomorrow, August 19, is the deadline for candidates to file nomination papers in order to run in the October 24^th municipal election race. On Monday the 22^nd, the city clerk will certify the nominations, making everything official. After the Labour Day weekend, the campaign will begin in earnest.

Barring any last minute, out-of-the-blue entries, I think it’s safe to say, Toronto is staring down at the most desultory civic election since, perhaps, 2000 when Mayor Mel Lastman rolled to re-election in the 2^nd post-amalgamation campaign, handily defeating environmental activist Tooker Gomberg with nearly 80% of the popular vote. Continue reading →