Torontoist Environment Editor Chris Tindal is currently engaged in a federal by-election campaign. This weekly column is an attempt to offer a behind the scenes glimpse into what it's like to be that mysterious Other: a politician. Last night was our first public all-candidates debate in this campaign. Hosted by the Bay Corridor Community Association in the Sutton Place Hotel, it was extremely well attended by an engaged audience. For those of us who recognize......

Torontoist Environment Editor Chris Tindal is currently engaged in a federal by-election campaign. This weekly column is an attempt to offer a behind the scenes glimpse into what it's like to be that mysterious Other: a politician. There is, of course, no multi-partisan training manual for new candidates on how one is to behave during an election campaign with regards to one's opponents. Therefore, the first time I ran (in the 2006 federal general election)......

Torontoist Environment Editor Chris Tindal is currently engaged in a federal by-election campaign. This weekly column is an attempt to offer a "behind the scenes" glimpse into what it's like to be that mysterious Other: a politician. Right before Christmas (and just days before the deadline) the prime minister finally called a by-election for the riding of Toronto Centre, left vacant by Bill Graham last summer. He also called by-elections for three other ridings across......

Bill Graham retires. The MP for Toronto Centre hopes that the by-election is called promptly so that Bob Rae can run for his seat. Torontoist's reaction at losing Bill Graham and getting Bob Rae can mostly be described as a vaguely displeased-sounding "oh, goody." Ontario to establish $650 million fund to encourage development and manufacture of clean cars and other environmentally friendly products. Most predict that this will go towards new auto parts manufacturing, ensuring......

The saga of the anagram transit maps continues. Sean Lerner, who last week stood in support with blogger RobotJohnny by hosting the TTC Anagram Map on his site and pushing for supporters to mail their complaints to the TTC, received a note from TTC committee chair Howard Moscoe. Transit Toronto has more here. Ladies and Gentleman let's keep this fight clean. The Liberals have decided to hold their leadership convention in December. Toronto-area stalwart Bill......

Yesterday's good-natured debate between Toronto Centre candidates provided Ryerson with a few laughs, and few memorable quotes. Here's a sample: "I've spent a lot of time on the ground in Toronto Centre, and I am in favour of same-sex marriage. My leader embraces me for that position." - Conservative candidate Lewis Reford, getting a few giggles for an unintentional play on words "Bill Graham isn't here, but don't take it personally. This is the third......

Torontoist will attempt to put the current state of Canadian-US foreign relations into perspective. As earlier reported, Canada’s refusal to participate in the President’s Missile Defense Shield, has led to a variety of fallouts - leaving the situation in a bit of disarray. In the classic movie Mean Girls, Lindsay Lohan plays the role of Cady Heron, a home-schooled foreigner who arrives at her new California public school and finds out that teenage life is......

On a long weekend last summer, Defence Minister Bill Graham and PM Paul Martin went up north for some rest and relaxation. Hanging around the campfire, guzzling some brews, the two buddies got to talking. After Bill told some story about a nightspot on Church Street, it occurred to our Prime Minister that it was time for a practical joke. Martin and Graham then came up with a plan to trick their friend Jack Layton:......

As if Torontoist needed another reason to "big-it-up" on the weekends: Walking home last Friday, we happened upon Defense Minister Bill Graham walking down Yonge St. north of College! Graham, often seen carousing in the area south of Bloor, was wearing a long black coat with matching leather gloves. Torontoist shook the Ministers hand and urged him to continue to fool Americans into thinking Canada would join their silly missile defense plan. We were about......

With George's arrival at the end of the month, the question to participate in the Ballistic Missile Defence System is more imminent than once thought. NDP leader Jack Layton (of mustache fame) and a slim majority of the Canadian public have come leaned toward the NO WAY side of the Missile debate. Prominent Canadians have also opposed using missiles for diplomacy. But, yesterday, Layton may have pushed too far with this "Bush-Martin" mock campaign signs.......