Commentary
During my recent run to become mayor of Toronto, one line I heard from a lot of people was that they were considering moving out of town if Olivia Chow won the election. The challenges on our streets have become so dire on a number of fronts—crime, affordability, gridlock—that an exodus from the cities is becoming more likely.
We’ll see how many people make good on their threat following Chow’s victory. These sorts of sentiments have become common, such as how American progressive celebrities pledged to move to Canada if Donald Trump won the presidency.
But this time feels different. There are already people who have left Toronto. Businesses could leave as well. There will also be lost opportunity costs, where investors and individuals who might have come to Toronto will stay away….