The weather this weekend is perfect for meeting people on their doorsteps. 

Blue skies and warm for this time of year.

I've just heard that turnout Town-wide has crept up to 15.18%. So I'm hoping for a surge in voting today and tomorrow when voting ends. 

Turnout in 2018 was a less than impressive 34.7%.

I meet people who freely admit they vote in Federal and Provincial elections but pass on municipal because they figure it is less important.

I remind them that York Region's population is bigger than five Canadian Provinces and the Region delivers key services we all rely on.

A Ribbon of Red and Black

I am out with my little band of volunteers and we make a mark. A ribbon of red and black lawn signs now runs along Patterson and Elgin too.

There’s no hostility. People are happy to talk.

I hear quite a few British accents from people who’ve been here for decades.

Even when people tell me they’ve voted, I linger to ask about their concerns.

On Elgin I meet one woman who is prepared to put me through the wringer.

She leaves the house and sits on a bench on her porch, peppering me with detailed questions. 

I like that. 

What would you do?

She tells me she knows all about Tom Vegh and the developers but what would you do about development in Town?

I mention the developers’ strike. I say we must get apartments built on the Davis/Yonge corridors. And we must protect stable residential neighbourhoods from inappropriate developments.

I cite the so-called monster home at 1011 Elgin Street which triggered a review of the Town’s policies on compatibility. (Photo: 1011 Elgin under construction with its Lilliput neighbour alongside)

After ten minutes of back and forth she says she voted for me. She says her husband has yet to vote. 

Work on him, I say.

Gordon Prentice 23 October 2022