Ben Spurr
TorontoStar
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Past articles by Ben:
An inside look at how John Tory’s too-late move may have helped Olivia Chow become mayor
Ana Bailão’s campaign failed to find traction despite donations and a solid track record. Then the former mayor of Toronto weighed in. → Read More
Ana Bailão defends John Tory endorsement
The mayoral candidate stood by her decision despite questions over the conduct that led to his resignation. → Read More
Olivia Chow’s tax plan is under fire. Why aren’t her rivals’ attacks working?
A vow to not raise taxes has been a litmus test in past Toronto mayoral elections, but this time seems to be different. → Read More
Josh Matlow is a politician who never backs down. Could he play nice as mayor?
He’s a ‘refreshing’ and uncompromising politician, say those who know him. But some worry that inflexibility would make governing impossible. → Read More
An inside look at whether mayoral rivals will join forces to defeat Olivia Chow in the Toronto election
There have reportedly been conversations between campaigns about candidates stepping aside, but they haven’t yielded results — and are unlikely to. → Read More
Toronto’s deputy mayor steps into election race by endorsing fellow John Tory ally
Jennifer McKelvie said Friday she felt free to endorse a candidate once city council had wrapped up this week. → Read More
Who is Edward Gong? Outsider Toronto mayoral candidate’s signs are everywhere
Of the mayoral candidates, none has a more remarkable backstory than Gong, whose company pleaded guilty to operating an international pyramid scheme. → Read More
Mayoral candidates facing off in CBC debate
The event is taking place at a critical point of the election, with advance voting for the June 26 contest set to begin on Thursday. → Read More
“Olivia Chow is everybody’s target”: With three weeks left, the mayor’s race comes into focus
As the election enters its final stages, with lawn signs and ad blitzes, mayoral hopefuls are banking that Chow’s front-runner campaign will erode. → Read More
Five things to watch for in tonight’s mayoral byelection debate
Desperate candidates, new ideas and maybe a baby? The six front-runners in June’s election will take the stage at TMU on Wednesday night. → Read More
Mayoral hopeful Brad Bradford pitches himself as change candidate despite ties to John Tory
Bradford told the Star’s editorial board that as city council’s planning and housing chair, that he has ‘delivered more on the housing file in five months than has been done in five years.’ → Read More
Mayoral candidates set to spar over economic issues at 4th debate in two days
The mayoral byelection takes place June 26. Follow live coverage at thestar.com. → Read More
Inside the Toronto election campaign: It’s a dog’s life and Doug Ford weighs in (sort of)
A roundup of what you may have missed this week in the race to be Toronto’s next mayor. → Read More
How Josh Matlow could emulate Rob Ford if he becomes mayor
Winning the byelection could earn him council’s support, as it did for previous mayors including Ford, Matlow said in a meeting with the Star editorial board. → Read More
Better transit, fewer bike lanes? Mayoral candidates pitch plans to solve traffic nightmare
TTC ridership is still at about 70 per cent of pre-COVID levels but the transit comission’s changes, already underway, are expected to reduce service citywide to 91 per cent of pre-pandemic levels. → Read More
Mayoral candidates clash on ‘strong-mayor’ powers
Ahead of the June 26 vote, leading competitors are using the issue to distinguish themselves from their cohorts. → Read More
Mark Saunders gets backing of city councillor Stephen Holyday, vows to cancel Bloor bike lanes
The city councillor, known for taking stands against tax increases and bike lanes, threw his support behind the former chief of police on Thursday. → Read More
Inside the search for endorsements on the Toronto mayoral campaign trail
Politicians, activists and an Oscar-winning filmmaker: Who’s backing who, and what does that matter anyway? → Read More
Former councillor Mike Layton to lead York University’s climate change strategy
The former representative for University-Rosedale announced two weeks ago he would not run to replace John Tory as mayor of Toronto. → Read More
It’s time to ‘get real’ with Toronto residents. Why Josh Matlow is considering a run for mayor
Veteran city councillor confirms he is ‘strongly exploring’ a bid to run in the June 26 byelection to replace John Tory → Read More