Toronto mayoral race heats up with debate over cell service on the TTC
CBC
Toronto's mayoral byelection had another busy week but with the summer-like weather, you may have missed some of it.
It was a hectic second week of the campaign, with even more candidates jumping into the race, new policy being debated and new attack ads.
Here's a quick recap of where things stand.
As of Friday afternoon there were a whopping 46 people running for the job left vacant by John Tory's resignation.
The highest profile sign-up this week was long-time councillor Anthony Perruzza. Chloe Brown, who finished third in the fall election, also made her candidacy official.
Who's not in? Olivia Chow, who has told the Toronto Star she's mulling a run, has yet to sign up. Nor has Gil Peñalosa, the second-place finisher in 2022 behind Tory.
Why does that matter? Well, candidates can't officially start fundraising until they sign up – and money matters in a mayoral race.
This week also saw the first third-party advertiser register to participate in the byelection. More Neighbours Toronto, a group that describes itself as a "network of pro-housing voices from across the political spectrum" signed up Friday.
The group says it's working to combat the "anti-housing agenda" in Toronto politics that's caused an affordability crisis.
Also this week, the City of Toronto took the unusual step of asking the creators of several Twitter accounts attacking candidates such as Brad Bradford, Mark Saunders and Ana Bailao to get in touch and explain who they are.
The groups responded on Twitter that they wouldn't be doing that.
Expect this to continue to be a source of tension.
So what ideas did the candidates put out there?
Ana Bailão kicked off the week saying she'd bring 911 and cell phone service to TTC, before Rogers Communications Inc. announced it would expand access to 911 as well as bring 5G to the subway system.
Saskatoon city hall says police spending is projected to be $2.6 million over budget this year. That pushes the city into a $1.2-million deficit position, according to a report that will be considered by city council next week.
Students at the University of Regina are days away from deciding whether a newly formed student association should become their official representative body.
All public schools on P.E.I. are closed Friday and thousands of Maritime Electric customers are without power as strong winds create hazardous travel conditions across the province.
Prince Rupert, B.C., residents are celebrating the holidays this year with coastal flair.
In the four years Chelsey Simmonds has worked at the Eva Rothwell Centre, she has seen the need increase every year at the centre’s community food pantry.
CBC is once again looking to make the holiday season kind in Windsor-Essex.
Acute Care Alberta has extended its contract for another year with a private surgical facility at the centre of probes into health procurement and contracting.
As food bank use continues to climb across the province, front-line workers in Thunder Bay, Ont., are working to improve both food security and education.
More ads could soon be coming to Toronto’s subway system.
The driver wanted in connection with a fatal hit and run on Highway 401 earlier this week has been identified, police say.
There are mixed feelings about the proposed Grays Bay road and port project, among people who live in nearby communities.
WARNING: This story details allegations of child abuse and includes graphic content.
Provincial police in Lambton County have charged a 23-year-old man with second degree murder following a death investigation that began this past Saturday.