Do you know who you’re voting for?

This Tuesday evening was the last of the CP24 televised mayoral debates in Toronto. I went to the corner of Yonge & Davenport outside the Masonic Temple to stand with Himy Syed and brother Amir, where supporters of the various candidates were congregating to cheer on their candidates.

As the green Joe Pantalone signs arrived and made their way to the corner, Amir remarked that it looked like reporters showing up to the newsfight in the movie Anchorman.

One woman dressed in purple and waving a George Smitherman sign called out bits of slogans to passers-by on foot, on their bikes and in their cars. As I listened to her, I began to wonder if she’s acually ever read any of Smitherman’s campaign materials.

As a bus passed by, she called out “support public transit!” Apparently she hasn’t heard that Smitherman won’t support Transit City, and is in favour of privatizing some routes.

To drivers gridlocked in the intersection, something about George making their commute better. Since Sarah Thomson dropped out & threw her support behind Smitherman, he hasn’t ruled out congestion charges on major routes. That probably would improve commuting, but drivers won’t like it.

To passing cyclists:  “vote for more bike lanes!” Obviously she forgot that Smitherman called for an immediate halt to all bike lane construction right at the start of the campaign, and has kept calling for it throughout his campaign.

At that point Himy thanked her for supporting cycling, to which she retorted “oh go to… where you need to go.” Classy.

It was nice to see her getting out to promote her candidate, but I don’t think she actually knows who her candidate is. I hope that most voters are making more informed choices than this woman is.

Whatever you do, whoever you support, please get out there on Monday and vote!