It's an all-too-familiar story: mayoral candidates seem to forget about Scarborough until election time rolls around. Suddenly, these candidates are eager to open their campaign offices and win our hearts. But where were they when we needed their support and attention?
Adding to the frustration is that some mayoral candidates seem to treat the community as nothing more than a backdrop for a photo op. A prime example is when candidates visit Scarborough only to be seen eating a "Scarborough patty" to show their supposed connection to the community.
These superficial gestures do little to address the issues facing Scarborough and only highlight the candidates' lack of genuine engagement with the community. Instead of focusing on photo ops and external displays of support, candidates must demonstrate a proper understanding of Scarborough's challenges and present concrete plans to address them.
Scarborough deserves more than empty promises and fleeting moments of attention from mayoral candidates. We need a mayor who will enjoy a "Scarborough Patty" and actively work to improve our quality of life. As election season is in full swing, let's ensure that the next mayor of Toronto hears Scarborough's voice and is genuinely committed to the community's well-being.
Scarborough makes up a significant portion of Toronto's population, with 25% of the city's residents calling this area home. That's right – 1 in 4 people in Toronto live in Scarborough. With such a large and diverse community, one would expect that they would pay consistent attention to our needs and concerns. Unfortunately, this is often not the case.
During election season, candidates flock to Scarborough, promising to address various issues and improve the quality of life for its residents. But once the election is over, many of these promises seem to vanish into thin air. Mayoral candidates, who once professed a deep concern for the community, often seem to become disconnected, leaving residents feeling neglected and disappointed.
It's time for us to stand up and demand the attention we deserve. Politicians should not use the community as a means to further their careers. Instead, we deserve genuine commitment and support from our elected officials.
As the mayoral election approaches, we must remember who has had our back. It's essential to look beyond the campaign promises and evaluate each candidate's track record. Has the candidate been consistently involved in the community? Have they demonstrated a genuine interest in addressing Scarborough's unique challenges and needs?
Participating in decision-making is crucial for us to ensure our concerns are addressed and our opinions heard. Candidates must be held accountable for their actions or lack thereof. It is up to the residents to demand transparency and fairness from those seeking to lead our city. It's time to break the cycle of convenient relationships between mayoral candidates and Scarborough. Let's ensure that the next mayor of Toronto truly has Scarborough's best interests at heart.