In a word – people. During elections we hear a lot from politicians about how much they care about “the people”. Whether Rob Ford cares about the people he is seeking to lead is really irrelevant. What is important is that Ford understands the concerns of real people that make up the city of Toronto.
After weeks of running in a statistical dead heat with former Liberal Deputy Premier George Smitherman, a poll released three days before the election by Ekos shows Ford with an 8% lead over his closest rival. The survey found Ford’s support at 43.9% while 35.6% of respondents favoured Smitherman. Joe Pantalone remained far back at 15%
The Globe and Mail reports that the gap between those who identified themselves as being born outside of Canada was even wider. Within the group that came to Canada as immigrants, Ford holds a commanding 21% lead over his nearest rival, 51.7 to 30.1 No doubt the editorial staff at the Globe is shocked by that result. It seems like only last week they were writing about the serious issue that Rob Ford is fat.
Ford understands what Smitherman and current Mayor David Miller don’t. People who immigrated to Canada didn’t come here so that these politicians and their fellow travelers can use them as props and brag about how nice they are and about how diverse the city is. It may come as a shock to some, but immigrants are real people; just like those whites that are Canadian citizens by birth.
Sure, there are some people who come to Canada just to say “Gimme” while people like Smitherman nod in approval. But the vast majority of immigrants come to Canada to work hard and to be able to better provide for their families than they could where they came from. They pay the same high taxes and sit in their cars on the same congested streets as us whites that are born here do. They did not come to Canada so the Smithermans and the Millers could pat themselves on the chest and beam about how good they are and sprout phrases like “diversity is our strength.”
Shortly after the last boatload of Tamils arrived in Canada, Ford was asked if Toronto should take some of those Tamils in. He responded that the city has enough problems taking care of the immigrants that are already here; we don’t need any more. Smitherman recoiled in horror! And reaction from the left was quick. Ford is anti-immigrant; a racist; a bigot.
As Juan Williams recently found out, bad things happen when you state the obvious that those on the left don’t want to hear. But Ford’s lead among people who came to Canada as immigrants is less surprising than his overall standing.
Many immigrants, especially those coming from Pakistan and Korea, come to Toronto and own and operate convenience stores. They and their families work long hours seven days a week so at least their kids can have a better life. The last thing they want is more immigrants coming to the city and opening stores near where they carry on their business.
And we hear a lot about highly educated immigrants who come to Canada and end up driving taxis. But we never hear about these same people who have a hard time making ends meet because they are stuck in Toronto’s constant gridlock while city councillors sip their double lattes and think about what other streets should be dug up so bicycle lanes can be put in.
And immigrants aren’t dumb either. Like those that are born here, they know that George Smitherman will say and do anything to get elected. When Ford held a commanding lead during the summer, Smitherman veered right, promising a property tax freeze. But when the race became closer, he began to describe himself as a progressive to try and attract votes from Pantalone supporters. It’s rumoured that he actually changed his name to George Smitherman Progressive.
Although a Mayor Ford will undoubtedly say politically incorrect things from time to time, yesterday’s poll shows that he can unify the city. Cutting out the “gravy train” will make the city better for all Torontonians. And it doesn’t matter where they were born.
