Toronto's mayoral hopefuls in their own words

Torontonians will have 31 people to choose from when they vote for their next mayor in next week's municipal election.

It's by far the longest list on your ballot.

With so many options, CBC Toronto sent out a survey to every candidate asking them several questions that are key to Toronto's future. 

Not everyone responded — you can find the full candidate list at the bottom of this story — but here are the responses of those who did. Note: CBC Toronto has edited some of the responses to meet editorial guidelines and will state where that's the case, but has not corrected grammar errors, etc., so as to stay true to what was submitted by the candidates.

Drew Buckingham: "During my many years as a teacher with the Toronto District School Board I've seen how destructive poverty is on children's lives. How hunger can affect their emotional and cognitive development. That so much child poverty and hunger is still an enormous part of the daily life for a significant part of the city is nothing short of disgraceful. What makes me a suitable mayoral candidate is that I would address this issue as the number one priority facing Toronto and deal with it in meaningful ways. This is a fantastic city that has been consistently let down by our political leaders and their corporate partners. There shouldn't be any compromise regarding these issues, and for people who prioritize anything before this issue probably haven't been hungry or see their kids go hungry in some time, if ever."

Kevin Clarke: "We all have free will to choose ... democracy belongs to all," Clarke wrote in a response that CBC Toronto has been edited because it makes a series of allegations against another candidate not supported by fact.

Sarah Climenhaga: "I will be a mayor that represents you, the resident, above anyone else. I've lived for decades in this city and I directly experience residents' challenges — being stuck in gridlock in a car or a bus, being worried about safety on the road, unhappy when I see garbage or the loss of green space and trees, and concerned about affordability of housing for my children. I will use the expertise I've gained through a career working with nonprofits, universities and major corporations, plus my experience as a resident who's navigated city bureaucracy and council offices as a community advocate, to make our lives better. I want to make positive change with full involvement and participation of all residents."

Cory Deville: "I'm a suitable candidate for mayor, because I mirror the average citizen as a person of colour, think strategically through a human lens, and understand that mid-stride adaptability will be key in order to make Toronto a globally competitive city."

Robert Hatton: "25 years of problem solving and achievement at a senior level in Toronto finance, plus an ethical, caring character."

Soaad Hossain: "I am 26 years, born and raised in Scarborough, and I lived my whole life on Toronto. I am from a single-parent household and low-income family. I have been homeless, and I am a taxpaying worker and working-class citizen. I live in a rented space and use services like public transit daily. I am a project manager, published scientist, and advocate. I have my project management certification (PMP) and extensive experience working with multiple different kinds of people on large and complex projects. Given the nature of my jobs, communication, attention to detail, people and resource management, analytical skills and other key skills are required, and I possess all of them. Those same skills along with my experiences and struggles living in Toronto, many which I continue to face til this day, is what makes me a suitable Toronto mayoral candidate."

Khadijah Jamal: "I am a lobbyist not a politician — ready for real change."

Ferin Malek: "I am the most appropriate candidate for becoming the next mayor because we need a mayor who demonstrates and has demonstrated transparency and integrity in all the jobs done in life til date. Transparency and accountability are the core of good governance and thus a good mayor should inform voters regarding their policy delivery. Citizens should be well informed on several local initiatives and current mayor fails in being transparent. Secondly, a successful mayor delivers results and communicates well. Mayor needs to be more responsive to public questions. Thus all these qualities make me the best mayor for City of Toronto."

Gil Penalosa: "It has been my life's work to design and envision healthier cities. With an MBA from UCLA, I have worked in over 350 cities around the world advising mayors, decision-makers and city-builders on how to make their cities more vibrant and livable. Originally from Colombia, where I built over 200 parks as parks commissioner, I have called our city home for over 20 years. I love Toronto and I have the experience and the political courage to deliver a Toronto with more affordable housing, safer streets and better public services that actually work for the people who live here."

John Tory: "The mayor has prioritized working collaboratively and across partisan lines with his city council colleagues and the provincial and federal governments. It is for this reason that he has been able to get big things done for Toronto, and Torontonians know that he will continue to work hard with both governments to ensure the city stays on track. The mayor is laser focused on building on the progress he's led over the past eight years on transit, housing and making Toronto a more livable city. If re-elected, he is committed to moving forward the historic $28-billion transit plan he secured for the city, as well as continuing to build more housing and get it built faster by implementing his five-point housing plan, which includes liberalizing zoning to allow for "missing middle" housing and streamlining the planning process for approving housing. He is also committed to seeing through the landmark Port Lands redevelopment project — one of the most exciting urban resilience projects in the world, which will create 64 acres of parks, 75 acres of wildlife habitat, a new 1.5-kilometre meandering river course, and be home to a brand new neighbourhood for tens of thousands of residents, with 20 per cent of housing dedicated as affordable rental units. This ambitious project is also evidence of the mayor's ability to work with other governments, having successfully secured funding from all three levels of government to get shovels in the ground and build for the city's future. Additionally, Mayor Tory will focus the next four years on keeping our economy strong by continuing to attract jobs and investment, keeping our streets safe and helping those in need right across the city.