I'm with Olivia

[imwitholivia]

"All of us have a role to play in moving this city forward. It doesn’t end on election night. It’s something we all commit ourselves to in big ways and small ways, every day. Our city needs you: your enthusiasm, your idealism, your great ideas, your faith that things can always be better, if you work to change them. This is a good city, filled with good people. And our hearts and our hard work are greater than any challenge, if we work together. Ask that question: what can we do for each other? Then go out, and BE the answer. As for me, I’m going to keep fighting for the causes that matter. I’m going to keep asking, what can we do for each other? Friends, I still believe that love is better than hate. That hope is better than fear. And I think you do, too. Thank you."

– Olivia Chow

[imwitholivia]

"I am supporting Olivia Chow because she embraces all and celebrates the city's diversity. As an woman, immigrant, grandmother, former trustee and MP, she best understand the needs of families, immigrants and youths-- the collective that is Toronto."

– Mickel Allen

Ward 8 - York West

[imwitholivia]

"I'm with Olivia. This is my first time voting. Olivia Chow seems honest, kind, careful, tentative and hard working. I feel that she will make great efforts as a mayor. No one is perfect but I feel like I can trust her."

– Lise Varrette

Ward 32 - Beaches-East York

[imwitholivia]

"Olivia Chow doesn’t alienate with her politics. Instead, she welcomes everyone, representing a diverse mix of people and ways of life. As an example, with her livable-city-first ideals, Olivia supports a heterogeneous use of streets, public spaces, and new residential developments that apply to all. That means recognizing the needs of pedestrians, cyclists, and transit riders by offering infrastructure that is more accommodating and accessible. That means addressing the shortage of rental units in the city by compelling developers to build more affordable units. That means keeping our parks healthy in order to keep our communities healthy.

Olivia’s work in politics, past and future, does a good job representing those disproportionally disadvantaged –those of lower income, those with mental illness, immigrants, and young people– by a system that has, so far, largely ignored their needs. Olivia knows that the more people that can succeed, the better it will be for our city culturally and economically.

She believes in the city; therefore, we believe in her."

– Daniel Hritzkiv

Ward 19 - Trinity-Spadina

[imwitholivia]

"I have to be honest, I've never voted before in my life. It was something I never thought about. I was disinterested and cynical about the political process. That is, until now. Olivia Chow woke me up to the issues facing this city, like the need for stronger public transit, a program to counter youth unemployment and something close to my heart, standing up for the LGBT community. On the 27th, I'll be participating in our democracy for the first time, and I'll be voting Olivia Chow."

– Omari

Ward 36 - Scarborough Southwest

[imwitholivia]

"I voted today for Olivia Chow and it felt so good. As an immigrant Olivia understands the people in our communities who come from diverse backgrounds, families, with varying levels of socioeconomic status, sexualities, genders, special needs and abilities. Olivia has always supported the queer community and people from marginalized groups who experience racism and discrimination. Olivia knows that lowering taxes will not help people who struggle financially as this leads to cancelled programs which they need to survive. Olivia cares about the communities in Toronto, the environment, education, and making it a better place to live for everyone. I encourage everyone to vote for the right person for this job instead of voting strategically as we would not benefit from a conservative mayor. We need Olivia Chow today to help improve our city and I trust Olivia to do this because she is one of us; she understands our diverse communities and needs.

– Jordan B. Wright

Ward 10 - York Centre

[imwitholivia]

"My husband and I first volunteered for Olivia on March 16th when she launched her campaign at the Westin Prince. She has been a hero of mine since I came to Canada, so I was starstruck that day, but after becoming her staffer, and attending events with her over these past many months, I have gotten to know Olivia as a person. Now I know one of the most compassionate people I have ever met, a woman who puts the needs of the community above herself. I know someone who inspires others with her determination and her commitment to social justice. I know an accomplished leader who deeply loves Toronto, and sacrificed her position as Minister of Parliament to return to the city she loves, and save us from the Fords, because she heard the call of her people. She won't call attention to this sacrifice, but this moment of history belongs to her, and this city needs Olivia Chow more than some of its citizens know. I hope that my friends will choose hope instead of fear, like another hero of mine, her late husband Jack Layton called us to do. Vote for the new mayor we need, and don't settle for anything less. I'm with Olivia because my hero is every bit as courageous, inspiring, and wise as I knew she would be."

– Keith Gawronski-McNinch

Ward 22 - St. Paul's

[imwitholivia]

"Investment in affordable childcare, housing and transit now will result in a stronger economy for Toronto. We have the potential to be a global leader in culture, art, and innovation, but there is only one forward-thinking, intelligent, and experienced candidate to get us there, and that’s unquestionably Olivia Chow."

– Amita Bhatia

[imwitholivia]

"I am with Olivia because I trust she will do what she says, because she leads with intention and good values, and because she cares about the people of Toronto as a collection of equal human beings, not just one big city."

– Mandy Wintink

Ward 29 - Toronto-Danforth

[imwitholivia]

"I'm proud to call myself a Torontonian, but in recent years I feel like our city has been set back by scandals, political embarrassments, and a lack of understanding of the needs of our diverse communities. I'm looking forward to seeing a mayor that has the compassion, ambition, and motivation to help Toronto move in the right direction. I'm with Olivia."

– Derek van de Kamp

Ward 3 - Etobicoke Centre

[imwitholivia]

"I'm voting for Olivia because she's legitimately engaged with this city and all its inhabitants. That's something we haven't had in a mayor for a long time, and it's as vital as crunching budget numbers. People seem to think Toronto is cold. Now they think it's kind of crazy. Olivia will foster what we truly are: diverse, humane, and civil."

– Sara Escarameia

Ward 14 - Parkdale-High Park

[imwitholivia]

"Olivia is the only candidate running to represent working class families. The other two represent big business. Olivia's the only choice. She supports public ownership of our city's services. She's focused on transit, education, and community programs. She's the only one who's dedicated to investing in the public's well being. After working labour jobs for some years I was lucky enough to be hired by the TTC, but there's unfortunately not enough of those jobs nowadays. Olivia understands we must protect good jobs and create more of them. It's about bringing people up rather than tearing anyone down."

– Donocan Ritch

Ward 17 - Davenport

[imwitholivia]

"What I most love about living in Toronto is the feeling that our city can be welcoming to all kinds of people doing all kinds of different things and enriched by living close to accessible services. I support Olivia Chow in her efforts to keep this city kind, supportive, and affordable for all."

– Carey Jernigan

Ward 18 - Davenport

[imwitholivia]

"Diversity attracts social capital, encourages innovation, and ensures fairness and equal access to many groups. To achieve economic success and build a stronger, more desirable global city we must invest in all our people and highlight diversity. Olivia works hard to ensure that nobody gets left behind. We need a mayor to lift us up as a whole, not to speak down on us as separate special interest groups. Diversity is our strength. Let's raise the bar."

– Jacqie Lucas

Ward 29 - Toronto-Danforth

[imwitholivia]

"I am voting for Olivia because she knows our city. She was at my grade 8 graduation. She knows the practical side of what our city needs and how to implement our ideas in the best way. I have no doubt in my mind she would make one hell of a mayor."

– Milan

Ward 32 - Beaches-East York

[imwitholivia]

"I have always been a big fan of forward thinking that includes everybody and I cannot vote for anyone who doesn't reflect my values as a citizen of Toronto. Olivia Chow has always been a very strong leader and advocate for Toronto as a whole."

– Chris Lytle

Ward 17 - Davenport

[imwitholivia]

"My parents met on one of Jack and Olivia's first campaigns, he was a campaign manager, she was a volunteer. All my life Olivia has been an outstanding role model. This level of involvement you see during this mayoral campaign? It's always been there. She's always been the hardest worker, the most sincere of politicians. I'm so excited that she's running for mayor, and I can't wait to vote in this election for her for the first time."

– Madeleine Fast

Ward 29 - Toronto-Danforth