The six Toronto Mayoral candidates debated on the best way to deal with youth unemployment, youth housing, youth crime and the other youth related issues in the Great Hall of Hart House at the University of Toronto. While Mr. George Smitherman, the former Ontario Health Minister, garnered most cheers from the attendees, the quote of the day came from Mr. Rocco Rossi, the only inexperienced candidate.

“We’ve never elected someone who has not been..a career politician.. When they criticize me..they’re not criticizing me, they’re criticizing you because they’re saying that you don’t have any say on it. This is not about share the power, it’s about fight the power.”

While Ms. Sarah Thompson consulted her notes before responding to almost every questions, Mr. Joe Pantalone and Ms. Sarah Thompson quietly smiled at almost all Mr. Ford’s responses. Mr. Rob Ford has become a source of frustration for other Toronto mayoral candidates especially Mr. Smitherman who is trailing behind Mr. Ford in the polls.

When Mr. Ford declared “Call all of us and see who responds to you the best,” the other mayoral candidates jeered, yet it is true that Mr. Ford responds to messages left for him personally. Maybe you can give it a shot too. His home phone is 416-233-6934 and you can reach him at his City Hall office at 416-397-9355.

Instead of elaborating on their employment plans for youth, Mr. Joe Pantalone and Mr. Rocco Rossi decided to take jibes at Mr. Smitherman’s agenda of creating youth by alluding that Mr. Smitherman’s plan is flawed because it will tax businesses.

Here’re the responses of the candidates on youth unemployment which is higher in the GTA than the national average.

—————–

Rocco Achampong: This is where the City can really do its part. Let’s have emphasis on making sure that our residents have income to support themselves before we give jobs to other people. When I was growing up, there used to be a program where the employer would get 50 cents of a dollar to hire youth. I’ll initiate that program again.

George Smitherman: Two words: spending and power. The City of Toronto spends about $12 billion a year. I have announced a program where 7,500 opportunities will be created for the youth of Toronto. These will be created in the areas where youth will work with youth in summer or in after-school programs, in apprenticeship capacities where youth work in unions, in transit, in Toronto housing projects. Let’s put our money where our mouth is. We have to hold senior bureaucrats responsible, or we fire them.

Sarah Thompson: My administration will work closely with organizations such as Toronto City Summit Alliance. We will engage employers to make sure that they are aware of the benefits of hiring youth. We will lead by example. We’ll hire youth in all City of Toronto departments, agencies and commissions. We need fresh thinking and fresh ideas in the City Hall.

Rob Ford: We have to lower commercial tax rate which is far too high for businesses to invest in Toronto. I wasn’t talking, I was working at a project, Woodbine Live. It’s a billion dollar investment in Toronto that created 10,000 new jobs.

Rocco Rossi: Taxing businesses another $10 million would not help (A reference to Mr. Smitherman’s agenda). We need to create an environment where we can attract businesses that will create career jobs rather than jobs that pay youth minimum wages.

Joe Pantalone: It’s a terrible loss when young people cannot find jobs.