Candidate: Kristine Maitland

Who are you?

I am clearly a 36-year-old Black woman with a death wish. With a day job as a high school Admissions Assistant it is wonder that I find the time to be a Black history researcher (www.kmaitland.ca), arts critic (BlogTO.com), dance instructor, and frugal urbanite. I am associated with a variety of groups from Serial Diners to the Toronto Bisexual Network and have a reputation for knowing everybody from burlesque performers and visual artists to astronomers and statisticians. And yes, I am about as subtle as a brick thrown through a stained glass window so don't expect me to be politic.


Why are you running?

Madness? In part, but also because I am passionate about Toronto, my hometown. I have a vision for Toronto, one that would combine solid fiscal policy with creative solutions for city issues including education, medical care, housing, energy, & transportation. My political experience is tied to my acting as representative of the 2000 off-campus students at University College, U of T and to my involvement in the women's and queer movements during the 90s. I barely survived the Harassed years and watched friends with Ph.Ds end up at the unemployment line. I have watched our kids (and me) get fat and corporations and condo developers get fatter at our expense. Frankly, I've had enough.


What should a City Councillor be?

A City Councillor needs to ask the questions that no one is willing to ask and to make difficult decisions that may get her canned. Also she has to be willing to speak for her community while recognizing the needs of other communities. This city can no longer run in a vacuum - what happens
at Jane and Finch affects the Beaches, as in Little Portugal, Greektown, Bloortown and Little India.


Anything else?

Sense has been proven to be far from common in Canadian politics.

We need new leaders.