Candidate: Dr. Sandra Romano Anthony

Who are you?

I am a Nutritionist, Educator and Community Activist. I was born in Trinidad, to multi-ethnic parents, and have worked in Guyana and Jamaica for the World Health Organization. I’m a graduate of the University of Toronto and the University of West Indies. I do Nutrition and Stress Management workshops in the community. I’ve volunteered with many community agencies but now serve on the Boards of the Federation of Metro Tenants’ Associations and the Silayan Filipino Community Centre. I’m a former member of CUPE Ontario’s Human Rights Committee and passionate about social justice issues the most recent being the “Hotel Workers Rising” movement.

I was a candidate in the 2004 and 2006 federal elections (York West). I am committed to fighting for improvements to the socio-economic milieu of our most vulnerable groups. Some of my concerns include: more affordable housing, improvements in community and health services so that certain socio-cultural groups don’t feel ignored, more support for families, improvements in home-care and housing for the elderly and support for the homeless. These are just a few. I will push the federal and provincial governments to make people the priority.


Why are you running?

City Idol is a great way to generate interest in this year’s municipal elections.


What should a City Councillor be?

City Councillors should love people, care about social justice issues and be non-partisan. Compared to federal and provincial representatives, Councillors have the closest interaction with people. Councillors should consider the needs of the public and advocate on behalf of the most vulnerable; they should help to empower people to become more self-sufficient. Councillors should also consider the well-being of the City: help to make decisions, develop policies and programmes and implement these in a fiscally responsible manner.

We need new leaders.