Advance polls are open today in Toronto!
Advance voting stations are open from 10 AM – 7 PM. Early voting runs from today, October 7, 2022, until Friday October 14, 2022.
There are two advanced voting locations for Toronto Centre residents to vote early:
- The St. Lawrence Community Recreation Centre at 230 The Esplanade
- The Wellesley Community Centre at 495 Sherbourne Street
In Toronto Centre, I am endorsing our good friend Chris Moise. Chris has championed equity and social justice throughout his many years as a Toronto District School Board trustee. He is committed to listening and making life better for all of our neighbours. He has my full support.
Filling his shoes will not be easy, but I believe that Deborah Williams is up for the job! She is endorsed by both Chris Moise and myself, and will be a crucial voice and vote for equity at our local school board. She will advocate for public education during a turbulent time when we know that Doug Ford will cut funding. Deborah Williams will ensure that our schools remain as strong and resilient as possible for all of our youth.
If you plan to vote instead for a Toronto Catholic District School Board Trustee, outgoing Catholic Trustee and City Council candidate in University-Rosedale and my good friend, Norm Di Pasquale, is endorsing Stephen Mensah. Stephen did a phenomenal job at the Toronto Youth Cabinet advocating for free menstrual products in all Ontario elementary schools as well as mental health training for school staff.
Finally — and I appreciate how many of you have already reached out to me asking — who I am backing for Mayor? I am thrilled to endorse my longtime friend and internationally recognized urban planner and award-winning consultant, Gil Penalosa. Gil has the vision to move our city forward where we build more affordable housing, better recreation programs, safer streets, expanded library hours, stronger tenant support and improved transit for everyone. He has impressively worked in 350 cities and as the former Parks Commissioner of Bogata, Colombia he built over 200 parks. To learn more about Gil and to read about his platform and other endorsements, please visit Gil4Mayor.ca.
If you live outside of Toronto Centre and are wondering who to support, look no further than Progress Toronto’s endorsed candidates — a list of whom you can find here. Gil also has a wonderful tool to help any of your friends across the city learn where their nearest voting station is that you can check out here.
Thanksgiving is a time for collective reflection and gratitude. Many of us will be coming together with loved ones to enjoy good food. For some, this may not be possible nor an option. Yesterday, I teamed up with the Toronto Argonauts and Salvation Army to serve 350 hot turkey dinners to hungry diners. Thank you to the wonderful staff and volunteers at Toronto Harbour Light Ministries for bringing us together in community service right in the heart of Toronto Centre.
I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving and restful long weekend ahead — happy advance voting!