A look at what kind of marks the parties would be earning if they were trying to pass a class in Making Toronto Work 101. (This is one year where a bell curve would come in handy for more than a few of the students).
Liberal
Infrastructure/Transit: Lots of promises, some suspiciously contingent on a budget surplus. B-
Housing: Green retrofits of low-income homes is not the same as an affordable housing plan. C-
Arts/Culture: Doubling Canada Council funding is a good start. B+
Environment: Top prize at the science fair for flashy and detailed Green Shift. But will it work? A
NDP
Infrastructure/Transit: Promises there, details lacking. C+
Housing: Comprehensive and fully funded strategy, complete with goals. A
Arts/Culture: Reverse funding cuts, kill C-10, show more domestic films and maintain Canadian broadcasters. Oh, and improve internet service, which is artistic, I guess. A
Environment: Cap and trade carbon reduction and lots of talk about targets are not quite solutions, but at least the economy will focus on green products. B-
Green
Infrastructure/Transit: One per cent of the GST for cities, cancelling superhighway spending, increasing transit funding, free Metropasses for low-income families… where do we sign? A+
Housing: They have an affordable housing plan. That, in itself, is impressive. B
Arts/Culture: Real numbers on artist earnings, a plan for tax relief, more funding and an income-averaging plan. Income tax and indie rock can finally get along. A
Environment: “Polluter pays” taxes and a zero waste focus. Tempting, but slightly unrealistic. B+
Conservative
Infrastructure/Transit: No one buys this idea that cities can just charge higher property taxes. D
Housing: N/A
Arts/Culture: We’re not impressed. Please consult Holy Fuck for further details. D
Environment: Shows little interest in the subject, even missed field trip to Kyoto. D