The top five political miscalculations of 2007

Toronto Life

A look back at the year that was, through the lens of failure:

1 Faith-based schools
Under John Tory’s leadership, the whole city was flirting with the notion of voting Conservative. Then Tory dropped this clunker on his way out of the starting gate, tripped over it and never got back on his feet.

2 David Miller’s failed tax vote
Being mayor of Toronto is really easy: all you need to get anything accomplished is 23 votes. Provided, of course, that you or a member of your staff can count that high.

3 Phantom budget cuts
The Sheppard subway will be closed—not. Community centres will be closed—not. Libraries will be closed—not. Decisions have consequences—not.

4 The Mark Warner affair
It wasn’t an active year for federal politics in the city, but Stephen Harper did manage to kill the Toronto Centre candidacy of the one man who could have made him palatable to Toronto. Who’s left? News anchor–cum–blowhard Peter Kent, who, of course, will be running outside city limits.

5 Blame the media
NDP leader Howard Hampton, desperate to change the subject from faith-based schooling, blamed the media. This bet is notable because it nearly covered the spread: the ploy got attention, but alas, no votes.