Hunter is concerned about community safety and gun violence
By Lincoln DePradine

Liberal Mitzie Hunter, Scarborough-Guildwood MPP since 2013, has promised that just as she has “worked hard for the people of Scarborough these last 10 years’’, she would do the same if elected mayor of Toronto.
“I’m preparing and I do ask you for your help and for your support,’’ Hunter told guests at a weekend event in support of the work of Smiles GCP, a volunteer dental healthcare organization.
Hunter, a former Ontario Liberal Party leadership candidate, was reelected to the Scarborough-Guildwood riding in the 2022 Ontario elections.
Her closest rival in last year’s polls was Conservative candidate and business entrepreneur Alicia Vianga, who also attended the weekend event.
Vianga’s business interests include the company, Premier Jour Lingerie & Swimwear. She also is founder and executive director of the charity, “After Breast Cancer’’, which was launched on October 14, 2012
In the history of Toronto, the city only has had two female mayors. The first, June Rowlands, ran the city from 1991-1994.
Barbara Hall held the mayor’s office from 1994-1997. “It’s a long time; we need a generational change,’’ Hunter argued, as she encouraged support for her mayoral campaign.
Other than Hunter, other Black community members that have declared their mayoral candidacy include former Toronto Police Chief Mark Saunders; former city councillor Rob Davis; and Chloe Brown, who finished third in last October’s mayoral contest that was won by John Tory.
A mere four months into his new term, Tory resigned, after the revelation that he had a relationship with a much younger woman who once worked in his office.
A replacement for Tory will be decided June 26 with the holding of a mayoral by-election.
“It concerns me what I see in our city,’’ said Hunter, explaining that she’s bothered by issues such as the affordability of living in the city and transportation.
She’s also concerned about community safety and gun violence, Hunter said. “I’ve fought that issue for a number of years, trying to make it a public health issue, so we get to the root causes of that,’’ said Hunter.
Hunter said she has a team in place as part of her mayoral run, but still needs additional backing.
“I need your help and I need your support because you know a lot of people,’’ she said. “Tell your colleagues, tell your friends; until it is done, we have to keep working.’’
LJI Report