Candidate: Monika Dutt

Who are you?
I am a physician in Toronto and my main interests are inner city health, international human rights, public health issues, and environmental preservation. I have worked in downtown Toronto, South America, Africa, and India. I am also a biker, runner, and swimmer, I love writing and reading, I need very little sleep, and I have been vegan for eight years.


Why are you running?
I am running because I see the impact that municipal policies have on people’s lives. Municipalities create social services and will be running future local healthcare networks. Municipalities work with other levels of government on issues such as budget allocation, energy production, healthcare distribution, and waterfront development. Municipalities can negotiate with transportation authorities and corporations to establish practices that will best serve Toronto’s citizens. I want to be part of the decision-making
process that impacts the future of people in and beyond Toronto.

My platform for City Idol includes building stronger ties with community groups, ensuring that healthcare is equitably distributed, striving to maintain the integrity of the waterfront, and pursuing sources of renewable energy.

Additionally, I have seen the apathy for the political process that exists amongst people my age. This is unfortunate since there are many young motivated and intelligent people in Toronto who could be part of government. Congratulations to City Idol for generating excitement about politics!


What should a City Councillor be?
A City Councillor should be creative, passionate, honest, dependable, organized, and attentive to the needs and views of her/his constituents. S/he should be accountable to her/his constituents, despite recent undesirable examples in Canadian politics. Human rights concerns should guide all decisions – is this action equitable? Will people be harmed? – are essential questions. And, of course, councilors should bike or take the TTC to work, have a good sense of humour, and know how to have fun!

We need new leaders.