Friday, October 24, 2014

Join Michael for a Coffee, Tea & Discussion!

We are campaigning hard right up to election day for living wages, defending public services, fare free transit, tenant rights and landlord licensing, affordable housing, democratic reform, police accountability and a platform centred around social and economic justice for our community.

Michael will be canvassing between now and Monday but will also be at the campaign office between  2-4 p.m. Saturday and 12-4 on Sunday to talk to anyone who would like to meet him, has any last minute questions or who would like to discuss issues or concerns they have in our neighbourhood or the city.

So drop by for a coffee or tea and a chat!

Where: Michael Laxer Campaign Office, 2858 Lake Shore Blvd. W. (at 5th St.) 
When: Saturday, October 25 2-4 p.m. & Sunday October 26 12-4 p.m.
Contact: 416-251-5576/electmichaellaxer@outlook.com 



Monday, October 20, 2014

Strategic Voting: Always a Mistake!

This past Sunday I was in the Toronto Star standing up against the "dangerous logic" of so-called strategic voting:

"Michael Laxer, a self-described socialist candidate running in Etobiocke’s Ward 6, is also disturbed that voters, especially those inclined to support Olivia Chow, now plan to vote for John Tory because recent polls place him as the frontrunner.
“John Tory has become the strategic, all embodying alternative to Doug and Rob Ford(open Rob Ford's policard). He’s seen as the person you have to vote for if your apparent objective is to stop the Fords and their agenda,” Laxer said.
But Laxer says there is a “dangerous logic” in strategic voting for those wanting a progressive alternative to the Ford brothers when Tory’s politics are not all that much different — minus what Tory refers to as the “chaos and division.”
“John Tory is presenting himself now as a centrist, but he’s not. He was the head of the Conservative Party. He is blue-blood Bay Street as it gets,” Laxer said. “He is the embodiment of the corporate and right-wing agenda in Toronto and I believe he will be a very strong, fierce and very effective opponent of unions, workers and public services and programs in the city.”
This interview was based around an article I wrote for rabble.ca on why strategic voting is not just wrong in this case, but generally:
"Voting for John Tory means enabling the very worst logic of "strategic voting". The liberal "left" has brought this on itself by its embrace of the logic of getting "better" people elected "strategically", and the sheer anti-democratic stupidity of the idea is now being proven.
The false, dangerous and profoundly self-defeating idea that voters should be "realistic" and embrace the "best" alternative to the worst option is coming back to haunt the many among the Liberals and New Democrats who have so often and so misguidedly advocated for it in different circumstances when it seemed to their benefit.
It is an idea that has empowered the right and facilitated the left's defeat.
Now that "strategic voting" is being used to advocate John Tory's election, one hopes that the cynical notion itself will be abandoned.
Realism in the electoral arena is a game the left simply cannot win, as Chow's campaign has again shown. There will always be a more "realistic" option.
Perhaps it is time to once and for all abandon the right wing farce of "realism" and start to actually advocate openly and avowedly for the principles we allegedly believe in."
Strategic voting...it is ALWAYS a mistake! 



Monday, October 13, 2014

Fare Free Transit in Toronto & Etobicoke: Video from the Fare Free Transit Forum in Ward 6

Video from the Fare Free Transit Forum held jointly by my campaign and the Greater Toronto Workers' Assembly on September 28 is now available online.

Both videos can be found on the Socialist Project website: http://www.socialistproject.ca/leftstreamed/ls234.php and are embed directly below.

"Presentations by:
Topics of discussion included:
  • Is fare free transit possible in Toronto?
  • What would be the social benefits of such a transit policy?
  • How would free transit benefit the suburbs and Etobicoke?
  • What can we learn from the free transit experiment in Tallinn, Estonia?"

Friday, September 26, 2014

Get your sign October 2nd & Join the Fight!

The signs have arrived! You can have one in your window or on your lawn October 2nd and show your support for a real alternative to cutbacks and austerity.

Each sign has a message and you can pick yours: Higher Wages, Free Transit or Public Services!

Email us at electmichaellaxer@outlook.com or call 416-251-5576.

Join the Fight!

Tuesday, September 2, 2014

Two Exciting Upcoming Campaign Events in September!

Two exciting upcoming campaign events in September!

The Fight for Fare Free Transit in Toronto: A Coffeehouse & Forum of the GTWA Free and Accessible Transit Campaign & the Michael Laxer Ward 6 Campaign

Where: The Big Guy's Little Coffee Shop, 2861 Lake Shore Blvd. W.
When: Sunday, September 28, 2:30 p.m.

Join us in heart of South Etobicoke for a public discussion forum about the fight for Free Transit in Toronto. 

Kamilla Petrick of the Greater Toronto Workers' Assembly's Free and Accessible Transit Campaign & Ward 6 Socialist City Council candidate Michael Laxer, who is campaigning for Free Transit, will be speaking and moderating the discussion. Kamilla Petrick is an activist and academic living in Toronto and has contributed to the growing Toronto public transit movement as a member of TTCRiders and the Free Transit campaign.

We will look at:
-Is fare free transit possible in Toronto?
-What would be the social benefits of such a transit policy?
-How would free transit benefit the suburbs and Etobicoke?
-What can we learn from the free transit experiment in Tallinn, Estonia?

As well as other related topics.

The event is free to attend and everyone is welcome. Some refreshments will be available for free and coffee/tea and other refreshments will be available for a charge from the coffee shop.

The Big Guy's Little Coffee Shop is a fully accessible venue.

Links:
The Elect Michael Laxer - Ward 6 City Councillor 2014 campaign website:http://electmichaellaxer2014.blogspot.ca/
The GTWA website: http://www.workersassembly.ca/
The GTWA Free and Accessible Transit Campaign on Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/groups/nofareisfair/

Related readings:
Herman Rosenfeld on the fight for fare free transit: http://www.socialistproject.ca/bullet/1016.php

Michael Laxer on how fare free transit is possible: http://rabble.ca/blogs/bloggers/michael-laxer/2014/04/free-transit-three-reasons-it-idea-whose-time-has-come

For any further information email us at: electmichaellaxer@outlook.com or call (416) 251-5576


Get updates on the event on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/310689159135850/


Canvass for a Socialist Candidate! 

Where: Campaign Office, 2858 Lake Shore Blvd. W., Etobicoke.
When: Sunday, September 14, 11 a.m.

Earlier this year, Seattle elected socialist Kshama Sawant to council and she spearheaded a campaign to introduce a $15 minimum wage to the city.

If you think Toronto could do better with a socialist candidate who will also fight for a $15 minimum wage in Toronto (as well as many other important issues), come out to help us canvas for Michael Laxer, who's running in Etobicoke-Lakeshore (Ward 6)

More campaign details here: http://electmichaellaxer2014.blogspot.ca/2014/01/michael-laxer-for-city-councillor-ward.html

We'll be heading out for about 2 hours of canvassing - you can either choose to just drop off pamphlets or if you're the talkative type, do some doorknocking.

The campaign office address is at 2858 Lake Shore Blvd. W. (at 5th St.).

It is on the 501 Queen Streetcar line and there is a 5th st. stop). It is two blocks east of Islaington for those who take the subway (they would take the subway to Islington & the 110 Islington South bus to Lake Shore & walk east).

The phone number is 416-251-5576


Get updates for the event on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/1519678931601091/ 

Afterwards, if you want to join us, we will be heading down to the Parkdale March to Freeze the Rent! 

https://www.facebook.com/events/351799591645856/?ref_newsfeed_story_type=regular

Thursday, August 28, 2014

Toronto Needs to Take Action on Poverty!

Toronto needs to take serious steps to deal with our growing levels of poverty and inequality and its politicians need to stop paying mere lip service to doing something about it. Shocking and shameful statistics released recently show:

After gradually declining to 27 per cent in 2010 from a high of 32 per cent in 2004, the city’s child poverty rate has increased once again.

In some areas it’s much worse: 15 of Toronto’s 140 neighbourhoods have child poverty rates of 40 per cent or more, while 40 have poverty rates of 30 per cent or more.

In fact, among Canada’s 13 major cities, Toronto tied with Saint John, N.B., as having the highest poverty rate, according to the analysis of new Statistics Canada data by a coalition of social agencies.


A municipal living minimum wage, a serious affordable housing strategy and landlord licensing, fighting for fare free transit and to eliminate user fees; these are just a few of the initiatives Toronto needs to really do something to change this unacceptable situation. 

What Toronto does not need is more platitudes, studies and committees! It needs action.

As part of my campaign for real change and action at City Hall, on August 28, 2014 I signed the "Action on Poverty Candidate's Pledge" of the Alliance for a Poverty-Free Toronto.

Together, we can end poverty in our communities and neighbourhoods! 

Thursday, August 21, 2014

FREE & Better Transit!

FREE & Better Transit!

As your City Councillor I will fight to see the Waterfront West LRT plan brought back to connect our neighbourhood with Toronto's downtown in a faster and easier direct route. 

I will work to integrate GO Transit and TTC routes within the city so that people can use the Lakeshore GO line as if it was a subway. 

I will also fight against any agenda to raise fares and will work towards FREE transit, which should be the environmental and social goal of any government.

If Tallinn (the capital of Estonia) and other cities in the world can have FREE or truly affordable transit, so can Toronto!

-Another preview from our main campaign leaflet coming this fall!

For more information on my transit plan, check out my transit page: http://electmichaellaxer2014.blogspot.ca/p/transit.html

Join the Fight!

Tuesday, August 12, 2014

We are Torontonians NOT taxpayers! Say NO to the corporate agenda of service & wage cuts!

A large part of the corporate agenda of service cuts, privatization and stopping government from taking action on issues like poverty and inequality is the myth that taxes are too high and that our governments have a spending problem as opposed to what they really have, which is a revenue problem!

By constantly pushing to cut taxes or to keep taxes low for corporations or the rich, the right-wing hopes to rob governments and the people of the ability to build new programs and a more just and inclusive Toronto.

Unwilling to stand up to the corporate tax cutting agenda, "mainstream", do-nothing politicians use slogans of "fiscal responsibility" to claim that important programs like free transit, building affordable housing, living wage ordinances, ending user fees and so many others are not possible, even though they ARE possible and exist elsewhere!

But they are not possible if we continue to pander to the business community, the wealthy and their lobbyists.

Today I received a survey from the Toronto Taxpayers Coalition, a group whose website speaks for itself as to what they wish to accomplish and where they stand: http://www.torontotaxpayer.ca/

I made it clear that that is not where I stand, and responded with answers that reflect my belief that we are Torontonians and a community and that this is not defined by the word "taxpayer"!

I share my answers with you here now:

1.    Do you support a property tax cap ensuring future hikes are no greater than the rate of inflation?
 No. This is a terrible idea given the many programs and infrastructure needs facing the city. I do, however, support mitigating property tax hikes by working for the implementation of a city progressive income tax, creating a property surtax on the luxury homes of the wealthy and through the imposition of road tolls on non-residents entering the city by car, among other things. 
2.    Where, specifically, do you advocate finding savings in the current city budget?
I do not regard this as a priority. Rob Ford's gravy train turned out to be a myth, as I predicted in 2010, and searching out so-called "waste" really usually means cutting programs. 
3.    Do you support reducing the size of Toronto City Council?  Do you believe this would improve how Council operates?
No. Reducing the size of City Council means reducing political representation and power for Torontonians and our diverse local communities and neighbourhoods. Why would anyone support this? 
4.    Will you support contracting out garbage collection east of Yonge Street?  Are there other services you feel contracting out would give taxpayers a better deal?
 No. To quote my campaign website:
A fundamental part of the right wing austerity agenda is to make public services private. Eventually they would like to see all government privatised and run for the profit of corporations and Bay St. instead of for the needs of the community. They want to drive down wages and make the people pay for what should be free services.
If elected to council I will fight not only against the further privatization of any public services, including garbage collection, but also to put back into public hands all services that have been privatized. 

5.    What are your thoughts on the Municipal Land Transfer Tax - will you support reducing it or eliminating it?
 I support it. 
6.    Toronto's unemployment rate is much higher than the provincial rate.  What are your ideas to create job growth in Toronto?
We need a job creation plan centred around the building of new infrastructure and transit (both of which would create many new, good-paying jobs), new city programs and services and the stimulus to the local economy that would result from bringing in a municipal minimum wage of $15 an hour and a Living Wage Ordinance. Workers, unlike the well-to-do and the wealthy, spend most of their income on food, services, entertainment, etc and do so in their local communities.
The is no better job creation stimulus plan than living wages for all! 
7.    It seems City Council has been debating public transit forever with little results to show.  How would you fund new transit projects to ease congestion for everyone? Do you feel we need to change the current transit planning process?
I believe in using dedicated revenue streams such as the ones listed above to fund transit expansion as well as a universal fare reduction strategy with the goal of free transit as exists in Tallinn, Estonia. I will fight to get the province and federal government to pay their fair share of this, in part by diverting funds used to subsidize car usage. 
I also believe that LRTs provide better service for far less money for most (though not all) neighbourhoods and I would support reverting to the original plan for a Scarborough LRT. 
8.    Labour negotiations will be a big part of the next council term.  What advice do you have for the city's negotiating team to get the best deal for taxpayers?
I am opposed to the disgraceful race-to-the-bottom wage cutting agenda of Bay St. City workers work hard and deserve fair and regular wage and benefit increases. No one in the community benefits when wages are cut and money is taken out of the economy.  
9.    Do you see opportunities for public-private partnerships (P3s) involving the City of Toronto? Where, specifically?
 No.
10.  What is the top issue of concern for residents in your ward?  What will you do as Councillor to address the issue?​
Transit. As Councillor I will work to bring back the Waterfront West LRT plan for our community and for an affordable transit fare agenda for the TTC whose goal would be free transit. 
Needless to say, I do not anticipate their endorsement.

Toronto needs a new agenda for the city. An optimistic agenda centred around community and collective goals and that does not accept the destructive agenda of corporations or the do-nothing excuses of the well-payed "mainstream' politicians or want-to-be politicians.

This agenda is the opposite of the cruel and ugly agenda of constant cutbacks and accepting poverty wages and poverty in our communities that we have now.

Together we can do better!

(For more information on why I feel that tax cuts hurt people and help the rich and the corporations, please see the following links:

http://rabble.ca/blogs/bloggers/michael-laxer/2014/08/aiding-and-abetting-austerity-social-democratic-rhetoric-retrea

http://rabble.ca/blogs/bloggers/michael-laxer/2013/08/its-still-time-adult-conversation-about-taxes )

photo courtesy of wikimedia commons

Thursday, July 31, 2014

Campaign Office @ 2858 Lake Shore Blvd. W.

Our campaign office is up and running at 2858 Lake Shore Blvd. W.! We are at Lake Shore and 5th St.

Drop in any time for a coffee or tea, to talk about the issues, to volunteer or donate, or to sign up to get a small or large election sign for your window (pictured here) after October 2nd!

We can also be reached by phone at (416) 251-5576, by email at electmichaellaxer@outlook.com, or via the "Contact Us" field on the website's sidebar.


Sunday, July 27, 2014

Which side are YOU on? Living wages in Toronto...or poverty wages?

So...which side are YOU on?

Living wages or poverty wages? We know the answer...you want workers in your community to earn a living wage, not a poverty wage, for their work.

But Toronto's politicians don't want to talk about a real living municipal minimum wage.
A $15 an hour municipal minimum wage.

They want to tell you it can't be done...even though it can! 



They want to continue with business as usual..which means business paying poverty wages to many Toronto workers!

Ask your candidates for Council or Mayor which side they are on. Poverty wages or living wages?


And when they say it is not a municipal issue...tell them that YOU are going to make it one!


http://electmichaellaxer2014.blogspot.ca/

http://electmichaellaxer2014.blogspot.ca/p/economic-justice.html

Thursday, July 24, 2014

Michael Laxer Campaign Summer Get-Together!

Where: The Big Guy's Little Coffee Shop - 2861 Lake Shore Blvd. W.
When: Sunday, August 17th,  Social Begins @ 4:30 p.m. (optional canvass begins at 2 p.m.!)
 
Mark the date!

Sunday, August 17th join us in the heart of New Toronto & Ward 6 at The Big Guy's Little Coffee Shop at 2861 Lake Shore Blvd. W for a campaign buffet & social.


Michael will be serving up BBQed meat & veg, sandwiches, drinks & more including many of his faves from his food blog! There will be vegetarian & vegan options. 


 

The first part of the event starts at 2 p.m., when we will be heading out to drop/canvass local streets with our message of higher wages, public services & free transit!

But this part is optional. 


The social starts at 4:30 p.m. Everyone is welcome (whether you were able to canvass or not) so join us for terrific food & discussion. Bring the kids!


The event is free to attend, as is the food (although campaign donations & donations towards the food will, of course, be welcome! ). 


Drinks & coffee will be available for purchase.


Please RSVP if you plan to attend by calling us at 416-251-5576 or by emailing us at electmichaellaxer@outlook.com. You also also RSVP and get updates on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/622918477823688/?source=1

If you are unable to attend but would like to contribute to the campaign, you can do so at this link: http://electmichaellaxer2014.blogspot.ca/p/donate.html

See you there! 

Sunday, July 20, 2014

99 days to go!

99 days to go until the election! 

Since January 3rd we have been campaigning on a platform of real change and optimism and on ideas like free transit, municipal minimum wages, landlord licensing & more! 

Together we can build and work towards these real alternatives and changes, despite what the do-nothing politicians say...and we know this because it is happening elsewhere!

You can read my opening campaign statement here: http://electmichaellaxer2014.blogspot.ca/2014/01/michael-laxer-for-city-councillor-ward.html

To find out about my free transit policy and how it is achievable you can visit my transit page here: http://electmichaellaxer2014.blogspot.ca/p/transit.html 

To read about my $15 an hour municipal minimum wage and how other cities are doing it, check out this page: http://electmichaellaxer2014.blogspot.ca/p/economic-justice.html

Want to know about my housing policy and landlord licensing?: http://electmichaellaxer2014.blogspot.ca/p/housing.html

Or about my income pledge and my plans to work for a more democratic city hall?:  http://electmichaellaxer2014.blogspot.ca/p/a-more-democratic-city-hall.html

All of my other platform ideas can be found at the top of this webpage, and if you have any ideas or questions you can contact me at any time or come out to one of my monthly events.

99 days to go! Let's use them to fight together for a Toronto built on economic justice and comprehensive public services!

Wednesday, July 9, 2014

In the Fight Against High TTC Fares We Need a Universal Fare Reduction Strategy!

Yesterday, Toronto City Council voted to "study" the idea of a separate "low-income" "fare equity" plan for the TTC.

But I believe that this is the wrong way to go and wrote an article saying why and outlining why means test based programs like Toronto's "Welcome Policy" are not an alternative to actually working to lower fees and fares for all, even for those they are supposed to help. From "Toronto's transit woes: Are 'fare equity' policies a real alternative to universal fare reduction strategies?"

"Given the depressing context of our empty political discourse and the self-imposed "limitations" placed on our options by our "mainstream" politicians, one can understand why many on the left and many liberals in Toronto are embracing this idea as a real step forward....


The problem with rising TTC fares is not simply or only that some are being left behind by their increase, it is that they keep rising! The political will to fight fare increases simply does not yet exist and politicians act as if the increases are inevitable and need to be mitigated when they are not inevitable and only need to be mitigated because they have risen for a generation and have assumed an absurdly large role in financing the system.  
The fares are not affordable because they are too high. Exempting some portions of the Precariat, those living in poverty and those who fall under some arbitrary line drawn up by city officials will not change the fact that the fares are too high! 
While one has to be sympathetic to those fighting for this idea, one also has to ask, would not the money, time and political effort simply be better spent on an across the board fare reduction strategy that does not require any administration, means tests or fare policing and that would then fit into a broader strategy of working towards the goal, already achieved in cities like Tallinn, Estonia, of free and affordable transit for everyone?"
You can read the full article here: http://rabble.ca/blogs/bloggers/michael-laxer/2014/07/torontos-transit-woes-are-fare-equity-policies-real-alternative 

You can read an article about why Free transit is an idea whose time has come here: http://rabble.ca/blogs/bloggers/michael-laxer/2014/04/free-transit-three-reasons-it-idea-whose-time-has-come

You can check out Michael's transit page here: http://electmichaellaxer2014.blogspot.ca/p/transit.html

Monday, June 23, 2014

A $15 an hour Minimum Wage...Can Toronto Do It?

From: Three reasons a $15 an hour municipal minimum wage is possible in Toronto

"Is a $15 an hour municipal minimum wage possible in Toronto as City Councillors in American cities like Chicago, New York and Seattle have been fighting for, or is it true, as John Tory says, that it is a provincial issue?

It is possible. The reality is that almost all municipal politicians simply want to pass the buck.

How can a municipal minimum wage be achieved? There are at least three ways"


Find out how by reading the rest of the article here!: http://rabble.ca/blogs/bloggers/michael-laxer/2014/06/three-reasons-15-hour-municipal-minimum-wage-possible-toronto

Friday, June 20, 2014

Free Transit, Municipal Minimum Wages, Affordable Housing...Can Toronto Do It? Meet Ward 6 Candidate Michael Laxer & Discuss the Issues!

Join the Fight! For Free Transit & Higher Wages!
 
Where: Community Roots Bookstore - 2858 Lake Shore Blvd. W. (at 5th St.) Etobicoke
When: Saturday, July 5th, 2014, 1 p.m. - 4 p.m.
 
Politicians tell us that initiatives that would change our city and people's lives like Free Transit, a $15 an hour municipal minimum wage, a comprehensive affordable housing strategy and a real alternative to cutbacks and austerity are not possible.

Is it true...or are they saying this because in reality they don't want to do it?

On Saturday, July 5th, come out anytime between 1-4 p.m. for an informal drop-in for coffee, refreshments and discussion and to meet Ward 6 City Council candidate Michael Laxer and find out where he stands on these (and other ) issues and how he thinks we can do it!

Find out about his income pledge to, if elected, make no more than what the average Torontonian does and his ideas for a more democratic City Hall and police accountability.

Get answers to any questions you have about, Michael's campaign, and the fight for higher wages, public services & a real alternative to cutbacks and austerity.

See you there!
 
For further details call 416-251-5576 or email us.

Saturday, June 14, 2014

Couldn't Find What You Were Looking for in the Provincial Election? Join the Fight in Ward 6!

Join the fight! And get the button too!
Now that the Ontario election is over, are you looking for a campaign that you can really get behind; one that is directly and openly fighting for the polices you were looking for in the platforms of the parties but couldn't find?

Policies that would impact people's lives in direct and actually meaningful ways?

Policies like:

- A $15 an hour municipal minimum wage

- FREE transit & fighting for the expansion of LRT, bus & subway routes

- Landlord licensing & an affordable housing strategy

- Police accountability

- Democratic reform at City Hall

There is one! The Michael Laxer Ward 6 Campaign for City Councillor!

Between now and October 27th we will be fighting for a real agenda that is a real alternative to cutbacks and austerity and we need your help!

Volunteer, donate (and you can donate if you live anywhere in Ontario), take a lawn sign (for after October 2nd)....anything you can do to help would be greatly appreciated!

Join the fight!

Tuesday, May 20, 2014

The fight for full LGBTQ rights is one of the central human rights struggles of our time.

My partner Natalie, my kids and I were proud to to be able to take part in the Lakeshore LGBTQ solidarity initiative #LS4Love recently.

To me the fight for equality rights and against intolerance in our own communities, as well as expressing solidarity with the LGBTQ community in countries like Russia and Uganda is one of the central human rights struggles of our time.

Initiatives like Lakeshore LGBTQ and Social Action for Equality make our community a better and stronger place through their actions for LGBTQ rights and for human rights locally and around the world.


Links about LGBTQ issues in our community:

http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2013/09/16/residents_rally_in_restaurant_dispute.html

http://rabble.ca/blogs/bloggers/michael-laxer/2013/09/love-time-homophobia-right-lgbt-couples-to-be-couples-public

http://dailyxtra.com/toronto/life/food-and-drink/day-at-the-lakeshore

http://www.insidetoronto.com/news-story/4502772-lakeshore-lgbt-community-launches-ls4love-media-campaign-to-combat-homophobia-in-russia-uganda/


Thursday, May 1, 2014

Rob Ford: The misogyny, bigotry & conduct have to end.

From: Breaking very bad: Rob Ford's season four finale.
 

Ford has now taken a "leave of absence" from being mayor in name only and from his campaign. Presumably this is a last ditch effort to try to stay in  the race at all.  Presumably it seeks to distract, at an early stage, from  the appalling behaviour, misconduct and criminal activity.

We must ensure that it does not. Quite apart from civic policy, where Rob Ford's agenda is profoundly reactionary, his personal misconduct is a political issue of tremendous import.

If a wealthy white male with many political connections is never held to account for misogyny, homophobia, racism, intimidation of opponents, self-admitted criminal activity and obviously outrageous and unacceptable behaviour "on the job" that would get any other worker doing any other job fired, then one has to think that the political and judicial system that we live in now is just as corrupted and compromised as it ever was. Maybe it is.

Stepping "aside" to supposedly get "help" is not enough. Ford's conduct is not wrong because he has "problems." It is wrong because of who he is and what he represents. Rehab will not change the fact that he is an abusive bigot. 

That was what he always was and is intrinsic to not only his politics, but also the politics of those who support and supported him.

Read the full article here:  http://rabble.ca/blogs/bloggers/michael-laxer/2014/05/breaking-very-bad-rob-fords-season-four-finale

Saturday, April 12, 2014

Free Transit: Can we do it?

Often when the idea of Free Transit is raised people like it, but wonder, understandably, if it is possible.

It is!

Tallinn, the capital of Estonia, has had it for over a year and the Free Transit movement is growing worldwide.

On April 11, 2014 I wrote in rabble.ca about how Free Transit is not only possible, but is a truly important environmental and social goal:

You can read that full article here:

http://rabble.ca/blogs/bloggers/michael-laxer/2014/04/free-transit-three-reasons-it-idea-whose-time-has-come

For many other transit related articles and ideas, check out our Transit Issue Page here: Transit

Free Transit is achievable, is environmentally and socially just and is the right thing to do!

Thursday, March 27, 2014

Public Services Must Be Put Back into Public Hands!

In yesterday's mayoral debate all of the candidates affirmed their support for either the "status quo" or the further privatization of garbage collection in Toronto.

This is wrong. Garbage collection is a public service that should be in public hands and that should be operated solely for the public and environmental good, not for profit.

A fundamental part of the right wing austerity agenda is to make public services private. Eventually they would like to see all government privatised and run for the profit of corporations and Bay St. instead of for the needs of the community. They want to drive down wages and make the people pay for what should be free services.

If elected to council I will fight not only against the further privatization of any public services, including garbage collection, but also to put back into public hands all services that have been privatized.

Public services must be in public hands and operated in the public interest, not for corporate profit and greed.

Friday, March 14, 2014

Bringing an anti-austerity program of social justice, public services & higher wages to Ward 6

Our first election leaflet is in! I am very proud of this first campaign piece and want to thank all of my friends and supporters for their input, corrections and advice in the process of putting this together.

It would not have happened without you!

We want to get the first batch of these out to Ward 6 over the next few days and then print another round.


Bringing directly to the community an anti-austerity message of hope centred around:

- Public services, higher wages and fighting for a $15 an hour minimum wage
-The expansion of transit and the fight for FREE transit
-Housing and landlord licensing
-Police accountability
-Democratizing City Hall

And much more!

You can read the campaign manifesto here:
http://electmichaellaxer2014.blogspot.ca/2014/01/michael-laxer-for-city-councillor-ward.html

I also need your help to get this message out. If you can distribute the piece where you live in the ward or can come out to help distribute it...please let me know! And if you can make a financial contribution to help pay for this and future pieces it will be greatly appreciated and put to immediate use. Any amount helps. $25, $50 or whatever is possible.

Contributions of $25 or more are eligible for a rebate. Contributions of less than that can be made, but are not eligible.
For full details on donating please visit:
http://electmichaellaxer2014.blogspot.ca/2014/01/i-need-your-help-to-get-our-anti.html

Thanks to everyone who has donated and thanks again to everyone for their help and input.

I am looking forward to our campaign over the coming months!

Wednesday, March 12, 2014

Join us for drinks and discussion at our first Ward 6 campaign social - Monday, March 31!

Come out Monday, March 31, 2014, for our first Ward 6 campaign social. It will be an informal evening of drinks and discussion at Sloppy Joe's.

Everyone is welcome! Meet or catch up with me, other friends and supporters and members of the community.

Where: Sloppy Joe's,  3527 Lake Shore Blvd W. (It is on the 501 Queen Streetcar line, and is in between Kipling and Brown's Line).
When: Monday, March 31st, 7 p.m.

I also think Sloppy Joe's has the best chicken wings in the city. I even went for some with Irish Socialist leader Joe Higgins when he was in town. I wrote about it:

http://leftyfoodblog.blogspot.com/2013/06/going-for-torontos-best-chicken-wings.html

This will be your chance to let me know if I am right...about this or any other issue!

There is no charge or donation required to attend this event. Sloppy Joe's is fully licenced with a full menu but drinks and food are not provided. Children are welcome at Sloppy Joe's, but only until 9 p.m.

Please email with any questions!


Saturday, January 25, 2014

I need your help to get our anti-austerity message out to the people of Ward 6!

Our first piece is soon to go to print...and we need to raise money to pay for it and find volunteers to distribute it so that we can start to take an anti-austerity message door-to-door. A message centred around expanding public services, improved and free transit, a comprehensive housing strategy and higher wages!
 
If you might have some time over the coming weeks to help us take the message door-to-door to the people of Ward 6, please email us at electmichaellaxer@outlook.com and we will get in touch! We have lots of doors to knock on and mailboxes to drop, so your help can allow us to get the message out!
 
If you can help out with a donation, it will be greatly appreciated and put to immediate use!

Any resident of Ontario can donate, and is eligible for a rebate. Contributions may only be made by individuals, not corporations, businesses or unions.

The donation can be sent via cheque or money order to:

Michael Laxer Campaign
c/o 2858 Lake Shore Blvd. W.
Toronto, Ontario
M8V 1H9



Or you can donate via Paypal or credit card by using the Donate button on the side.

 Any contribution of between $25 - $300 will be eligible for a 75% rebate from the city. Contributions over $300 to a maximum of $750 are also eligible for rebates. Please email us for any further information or details regarding the rebate program.

Please note that contributors who contribute over $100 will have their name and address posted on the City's website.

Help me advocate for and bring to City Hall a Socialist alternative to cutbacks and austerity, an alternative that will allow us together to build a truly better Toronto.



Wednesday, January 15, 2014

Elect Michael Laxer 2014 Candidate Card!

This is our first Elect Michael Laxer Candidate Card. Let me know what you think!

We will be going door-to-door starting within the next week or two. If you have time to help out...please email us at electmichaellaxer@outlook.com

Front:


Back:


Watch for our first consultative planning meeting announcement shortly.

Sunday, January 5, 2014

Michael Laxer for City Councillor Ward 6

Sisters and Brothers;
 
 
As a long-time resident of and small business person in Ward 6, and as a lifelong resident of Toronto, I am announcing today that I am running for election to seek to serve the people of Etobicoke Lakeshore Ward 6 as your City Councillor. I have lived in the Ward and worked on the Lakeshore every single day for over twelve years. 
I feel that, as a city and a society, our governments and many of our politicians have lost track of the principles of equality, justice and community that so many of us see as a fundamental part of what kind of a place we want to live in. 




The programs and freedoms that our foremothers and forefathers fought for are being sold off and whittled away on the altar of corporate greed in order to generate greater wealth for the already wealthy.

We need to turn things around in Toronto. We need, together, to work towards a new direction for our city and its government.

We need a real alternative.

For too long we have been led by one version or another of austerity and cutbacks. Fewer services, lower wages, higher user fees, while the rich get richer and the city becomes impossible for many to afford to live in. For too long the agenda has been set by and for the rich, powerful and privileged, like Rob Ford, instead of by an agenda centred on the interests of the working people and residents of the city and Ward 6.

As a candidate for City Councillor I want to help to change this. I want to work with you around issues like:

1) Economic Justice and Equality: We need a new Toronto. A more just and inclusive Toronto. A Toronto that leaves no resident behind. To do this we need the fight for economic justice to be front-and-centre and as a City Councillor I will fight to make higher wages a part of the business standards expected of retailers and businesses who wish to operate in the city, will actively fight for higher wages and benefits for all people and for stopping wage cuts for city workers or workers under contract to the city. Our city does not benefit by pushing the wages of any workers down.

Instead we will fight together to raise the wages of all.

I will actively advocate as a Councillor for a $15 an hour minimum wage in the city and province.

2) Transit: As Ward 6 City Councillor I will fight to see the Waterfront West LRT plan brought back to connect our Ward with Toronto's downtown in a faster and easier direct route. I will work to see transit expanded city wide and to have revenue tools put in place to finance and maintain this expansion. I will work to integrate GO Transit and TTC routes within the city so that people can use the Lakeshore line as if it was a subway.  I will also fight against any agenda to raise fares and will work towards FREE transit, which should be the environmental and social goal of any government.

3) Housing: Toronto needs a serious housing strategy with the building of more co-op and community housing and fighting to get the province to implement stricter rent controls, especially in high rise and condo buildings. We need to bring in landlord licensing so that landlords who consistently fail to keep units in good repair and meet basic standards of conduct lose their right to be landlords. Public housing, which has been neglected and allowed to fall into disrepair over the past 20 years must be raised to a higher standard. We need to end homelessness in Toronto. Housing is a basic human right that needs to be made more affordable. Far too many Torontonians are homeless or one paycheque away from homelessness. This is unacceptable.

We also need to continue the fight to abolish the pro-developer Ontario Municipal Board.

4) Police Accountability: The police in Toronto are meant to serve and protect ALL the citizens and residents of Toronto. There are simply too many cases where some police officers think and seem to be treated as if they are above the law. This has to stop. As a City Councillor I will work to fight for greater civilian oversight of the police and greater police accountability. No one should be above justice.

5) A More Democratic City Hall: For too long our City Hall has seen many of the same faces backed by the same interests. It is time for a more democratic City Hall, more open to change and new ideas and voices. For too long highly paid City Councillors have made cuts to the programs, wages and services that those making far less than they do depend on.

As City Councillor I will fight to see term limits implemented, so that no Mayor or Councillor can serve more than two terms, to see stricter rules around campaign donations implemented, including limiting the ability of wealthy candidates to donate to themselves, and I will pledge to make no more in income than the average resident of the city does, donating the rest to charity and social causes. If City Councillors are going to make decisions affecting the lives of the people of the city, they should have to make ends meet on the wage of an average resident to truly understand the impact of their policies!

6) Fighting the Ford Austerity Agenda: When I ran in 2010 I was the only candidate in this Ward, and one of the few in the city, to stand up against Rob Ford publicly. His pathetic and dangerous personal behaviour aside, it was his agenda I most opposed. Together we need to fight this agenda, an agenda that goes beyond Rob Ford and that is the Capitalist agenda of service and wage cuts. We need a real and forceful Socialist alternative to this agenda. A Socialist alternative built around people and not profit, built around community and not the rich.

This is just the start of our shared platform. There is so much to work towards in so many areas. As a candidate, and as a Councillor if elected, I will hold meetings every month open to all members of the community and anyone from anywhere in our city to get your input and your ideas for how we can, together, build a better, more equal and more just Toronto.

A Toronto whose government is centred around our collective goal of ending injustice, inequality and oppression.

A Toronto that will be known internationally not for a dangerously out-of-control reactionary mayor, but for its dedication to building a new society and a better world, starting right here in our own neighbourhoods and communities.

A new Toronto.