WEBSITE: www.rwalker.ca

EMAIL: robert@rwalker.ca

PHONE NUMBER: 416-694-3772

What key issues define your campaign platform?
I have several concerns that are driving my campaign but, the main ones are “Getting Full Value For Every Tax Dollar We Spend” and “Getting Toronto Moving By Building Subways”. We need to spend money to build and run a city. No one can disagree with that but I feel that we are not getting full value for our tax dollars. We are spending money on things that we simply don’t need (London Environmental Office, flagpole, metal tree etc.) and, even more seriously, we are spending money we don’t need to spend for things we do need – sole source contracts and poorly planned and executed public transit for instance. We need to end Transit City. It will cause many more problems than it purports to fix and, perhaps even more importantly, the people of Toronto have been very clear that they want subways. I intend to fight for both of these issues.

Why are you the best candidate for this position?
I feel that I am the best person for this job at the present time for several reasons. First and foremost, I care a great deal about my city and my community. I was born in East York and have spent nearly my entire life here. Caring is important but just that will not get the job done. I have been and continue to be a successful leader, both as a certified project manager in my professional to a volunteer leader and mentor in my volunteer life. I understand the concept of being entrusted with someone else’s money and realize that my job, as a city councillor is to listen to the concerns of the people of my ward and balance their concerns with the needs of the city at large. I don’t feel that we are being served in that capacity at the moment and I look forward to bringing that back to city hall.

What specifically do you plan to do for your ward, if elected?
People at the door have expressed a number of concerns to me regarding their local neighbourhoods. Business people are concerned with street parking issues and with law enforcement, homeowners with tax increases and road repairs and even issues of a lack of recreational facilities and programs for kids. I plan to keep listening and going to the people to get their concerns but, initially, the most common concerns and the first ones on my list, are the deplorable condition of our roads, issues with parking pads and recreational facilities and programs for our young people.  I plan to work very hard to keep bike lanes off of Danforth Avenue and other small business intensive areas in my ward to increase access for people to shop and patronize these areas. Traffic enforcement is also a recurring theme amongst my neighbours and I would like to see about more stringent enforcement of our speed limits.

Personal bio:
I am 48 years old and a single father of 2 teenagers. I have lived in East York for most of my life.
Professionally, I am a certified Project Manager and an IT System Administrator for a worldwide firm. I know how to build effective teams and how to get things done on time and on budget. I am also a volunteer leader in an organization that is very active in community service and personal training.  I have been on the leadership teams of many community service projects in and around the GTA and participate in some on an ongoing basis. In my spare time, when I have spare time, I enjoy a good movie or a good book.

Who do you plan to support for mayor?
I am supporting Rob Ford at the moment.  I believe that he has the experience and moxy to bring real change to City Hall.  I have some serious issues with all of the other mayoral candidates.