Former ‘supermodel’ Enza Anderson is running to replace Kyle Rae in Toronto Centre-Rosedale. Rae was the first openly gay person elected to city council back in 1991. But he’s announced he will not be going for re-election, which means Anderson’s chances have just gone up.

Winning would make Anderson the first out trans person ever to serve on a city council in Canada.

“I think that (Toronto is) a city that has worked hard to promote diversity,” Anderson said. “Having a trans person on council is a step to making history in Toronto.”

But Anderson is quick to point out her gender is far from the only thing that counts in her campaign.

“My goal is to show people it’s my ideas that will get me into office, not my gender,” Anderson said.

Anderson already has a few political campaigns behind her. She came in second in 2003 when she ran for the ward for the first time. And then there was her run for mayor in 2000, where she placed third.

It was an impressive showing considering Anderson’s campaign consisted of standing on street corners. She had a placard that read ‘a super city deserves a supermodel.’ The moniker continues to be remembered. But it’s been 10 years, and Anderson has been busy. In many ways, she’s moved on.

She’s started two careers. She’s a columnist for the commuter paper, Metro. She also works at the Bank of Montreal at Church and Alexander. Without experience in either area, Anderson pitched herself successfully to both employers. She’s proven herself since.

“I consider myself an opportunist,” Anderson said. “If you don’t go for it, then you’ll regret it totally.”

Anderson says she recognizes the diverse needs of the riding she may represent. Toronto Centre-Rosedale is a mash-up that includes the queer community in the Church-Wellesley village, the affluent Rosedale and the low-income Moss Park neighbourhoods.

“I noticed sometimes seniors get left out of a lot of social programs simply because they are too frail to gain access,” Anderson said. “It’s a matter of making sure that those who are less fortunate than us are taken care of the most.”

Over the years, Anderson has also spoken about sex worker rights. As an example, she talks about the years-old conflict at the corner of Jarvis and Maitland. It’s where transsexual sex workers have worked for years. It’s also where the condo owners who live on the corner have been less than happy with the local trade.

“I think the people who move into that area first have to know what area they’re moving into,” Anderson said. “There also has to be a dialogue with those sex workers. If there is an opportunity for you guys to do your business indoors, then let’s see if that can happen.”

Open dialogue is something Anderson has incorporated into her journalism career. It may be a skill that comes in handy if she makes it to city council.

“I think that’s what being a journalist is all about,” Anderson said. “Asking curious questions and pushing the envelope. … You can’t be afraid to ask those questions.”

Anderson’s journalism experience, like herself, is colourful. Along with her gig at Metro, she’s also been a clothed reporter on the Naked News Daily Male and she’s written over the years for Toronto’s queer community newspaper, XTRA!

For one XTRA! article, Anderson, at the time identifying as a drag queen, dressed in an Ontario Provincial Police shirt to attend a Toronto Crime Stoppers Annual Chief of Police dinner. The ‘point’ of the article was for police officers to talk about the sexiness of their uniforms. The context behind the article is more meaningful: back in 2000, many in Toronto’s queer community were upset about the recent appointment of Julian Fantino as Toronto chief of police. There were mutual feelings of distrust and tension. Anderson’s cheek took guts.

“For me incorporating humour is like breaking the ice,” Anderson said. “It’s like something to attract people. Saying, ‘Hey come over here, ask me a question. Ask me why I’m wearing this cop shirt.’ … Then I’ll tell you why and I’ll tell you more about myself. It’s just a matter of creating comfortable inviting spaces around you.”

Anderson’s thoughts reflect her attitude of open dialogue and compromise.

“At that moment the police were afraid of a community they didn’t understand,” Anderson said. “But they opened their minds and started working with the community. Then they realized we’re not such bad people. … I think (Fantino) finally realized that.”

One wonders if the pope could have had a similar realization. After all, if Anderson had actually won the race for mayor in 2000, Toronto would have had a visible, unapologetically queer mayor greet the pope for World Youth Day in 2002.

“What a great statement that would have made to a man, and to a religion, that deems homosexuality as evil,” Anderson said. “In all honesty, I probably would have had to bow to him. … But he literally would have had to accept me and look beyond my gender or sexuality.”

If Anderson wins this October, there may be many such moments ahead.

Citizens who came for the Mayor’s annual New Year’s Levee were disappointed to learn the event had been cancelled.

David Miller’s office put out a news release saying in its place, he would be holding eight Levee-style events across the city early this month.

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Toronto residents and businesses will get a break of about $20 on their property tax bill next year thanks to savings from the summer’s bruising 39-day city workers strike.

The decision, made today by Mayor David Miller’s executive committee, goes to council for final approval later this month.

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The men, decked out in business suits and high-heeled shoes, walked through downtown for the first Walk a Mile in Her Shoes event held in Toronto. The event is part of the White Ribbon Campaign’s efforts to end gender-based violence. Toronto is one of 161 cities that have participated in Walk a Mile events so far this year.

While some events in other cities have showcased colourful costumes, feather boas and tiaras, several toronto men seemed to prefer the more practical approach - donning comfortable, pragmatic footwear for the hike.

There was no shortage of red patent leather (the signature style of the organizers) though, and men opting for shiny platforms and five-inch heels chose to participate in some warm up exercises before the walk.

Councilor Adam Giambrone kicked off the walk alongside drag queen Enza “Supermodel” Anderson, who provided some practical and humorous tips for men to walk safely in their shoes. (Grates, she asserted, were designed by men and should be avoided by anyone wearing high heels.)

For men participating at the last minute, or lacking in the skill of shoe-shopping, Indigo Shoe was on hand with a shoe station featuring various styles available to use.

Toronto’s film board is expected to ask the city next week to establish a working group to find ways to enhance Toronto’s diminishing stock of film studios and draw film production here.

The film board voted to make the request Wednesday morning, in preparation for next week’s executive committee meeting.

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Liberal MPP George Smitherman is often seen as someone with political ambitions far beyond his current post.

So when he launched a new campaign of sorts Tuesday morning, it fueled more speculation of his next possible job.

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Whether or not you think he’s doing a good job leading Toronto through a civic workers’ strike that’s nearing its fourth week, Mayor David Miller is both lightning rod and leader during this contentious period.

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Earlier in the day, the mayor released to the media a detailed settlement offer to end the city-wide strike, now in its 18th day. The Canadian Union of Public Employees says the act crossed the line when it comes to honest negotiating.

Speaking to members of the press at the Delta East Toronto, the president of CUPE, Local 79 representing the city’s indoor employees said that actions by the mayor had set back labour relations for decades.

“We’re shocked that the city has circumvented the bargaining process,” Ann Dembinsky said. “It’s unfortunate that the mayor wants to bargain in the media.”

Mark Ferguson, representing Local 416, which is made up of the city’s outdoor workers, said that the city’s decisions to publicly disclose its offer represents the most recent example of the unwillingness of management to negotiate fairly and behind closed doors.

“The city has chosen to show an absolute disrespect towards its employees throughout the bargaining process,” he said. “We will review their proposals but we will not negotiate in the media.”

Dembinsky and Ferguson maintained that the unions remain committed to prolonging the strike as long as it takes in order to receive a fair deal.

“Our members’ resolve remains strong,” Ferguson said. “They are angrier than they have ever been.”

Dembinsky said she had the support of “one hundred per cent” of her membership and dismissed claims that some part-time workers had crossed picket lines.

Ferguson conceded that the city had made important concessions on some major points of contention but stressed that a “chasm” remains between management and the workers.

Both unions promised to present counter-proposals to the city by this weekend.

Each morning, as the resident of Roncesvalles travels to his job, he notices how the commuter trains travelling north along the Georgetown rail corridor from Union Station affect his neighbourhood’s air quality. He breathes in as little of the noxious metallic fumes emanating from their diesel engines as possible and wonders what’s going into his body.

Now, Morgan’s concerned that the proposed expansion of diesel trains along the Georgetown corridor will increase air and noise pollution, in addition to creating major health problems for residents who live close to the railway tracks.

Morgan and other concerned residents shared their unease at a Board of Health committee meeting at City Hall Monday afternoon.

In his presentation to the board, the city’s top medical officer expressed serious reservations on the transit scheme, which calls for 500 trains to run along the Georgetown rail corridor per day.

“The projected increase in the volume of diesel trains along the Georgetown corridor will lead to a dramatic increase in air pollution as well as health risks,” Dr. David McKewon said.

McKewon’s recommendation called on Metrolinx, the provincial transit body in charge of the expansion, to immediately forgo diesel trains in favour of cleaner running electrical trains.

Metrolinx’s plan currently calls for electrification of the corrdior within 15 years.

Electrifying the tracks was a unifying thread throughout the meeting.

Lin Grist, from the Environmental Health Association of Ontario, referred to a California study which found that kids are much more susceptible to permanent lung damage caused from air pollution.

“I’m passionate about this issue because I had the luxury of growing up in a relatively clean world, but my children and grandchildren don’t,” she said.

Mike Sullivan, from the Weston Community Coalition, said that his group had only just become aware of a private study commissioned by Metrolinx last year on the feasibility of electric trains that has never been released to the public. He called on the committee to pressure the Ontario government to release the study’s findings.

“Metrolinx’s plan only benefits the people living in the 905 region,” he said. “Electric trains will help the people living in the corridor who rely on public transit.”

Sullivan said that the planned expansion contradicts the province’s building code, which defines rapid transit as being powered by electricity.

Several deputants criticized the lack of regard shown by Metrolinx to community concerns.

“We’ve been told to close our windows to reduce the noise and air pollution,” Cherri Hurst of Weston said. “They’re telling us how to live.”

Parent and protester Alison Gibbins said the new bylaw would add “another barrier” to affordable and accessible day care for families in Toronto.

Councillors Gord Perks, Adam Vaughan, Paula Fletcher and Janet Davis came out of City Hall to support the parents as they marched around Nathan Phillips Square.

Toronto city council’s executive committee unanimously endorsed moving the Gardiner project to its next phase, an environmental assessment expected to cost nearly $8 million.

The provincial study will recommend whether to preserve the Gardiner, dismantle it completely or just remove the section from Jarvis Street eastwards.

But some councillors feel that mayor David Miller has already decided the expressway’s fate.

“There is a perception that this consultation is a waste of time because the outcome is pre-determined,” said councillor Denzil Minnan-Wong.

Minnan-Wong accused Miller and his allies on the executive committee of disregarding the views of suburban dissenters who commute on the Gardiner.

“We’re not doing enough to engage the public,” the Don Valley East councillor said. “People who rely on the Gardiner aren?t being heard.”

Mayor David Miller stressed that no one has decided yet on the Gardiner’s fate, and that public consultation will continue until the province’s study is finished. But he also reconfirmed his support for scrapping at least some of the expressway.

Miller alluded to recent decisions in Seoul, South Korea, where a similar expressway cutting through the city was dismantled within two years despite popular opposition. Where the roadway in Seoul once stood, he said, lies a natural river adding to the city’s natural beauty.

“You have to see with your own eyes what’s possible,” Miller said. “We have to act now because the opportunity is there.”

Another member of the executive committee urged caution.

“I’m prepared to be brave, but not foolhardy,” Etobicoke Centre councillor Gloria Lindsay Luby said.

Luby successfully motioned for tacking a cost-benefit analysis onto the study, plus examination of railway barriers to the south.

Scarborough councillor Glenn De Baeremaeker said he had heard the same concerns echoed about an easbound segment of the Gardiner that was taken down 11 years ago. He said that effect on travel time has been minimal.

“All the doom and gloom we hear today is the same thing we heard in 1998,” De Baeremaeker said.

Eglinton-Lawrence councillor Howard Moscoe pointed out the lack of dissenters in the room. Only three community members spoke before the committee, of which two opposed removing the expressway.

‘The reason why there aren’t more people screaming at us is because we’ve proved that the sky isn’t falling,” Moscoe said.

Moscoe reiterated his support of the mayor’s stance.

“Most cities around the world have already torn down these concrete dinosaurs,” he said.

That’s one vision of the future “Main Street” of the city’s waterfront, Queens Quay. And the vice-president of the city’s planning partner believes the street’s revitalization will one day become the envy of the world.

“We hope to make Queens Quay one of the 10 great streets in the world, like La Rambla in Barcelona or the Champs Elysees in Paris,” Christopher Glaisek vice-president of Waterfront Toronto said.

Glaisek made a presentation to the city’s executive committee, including Mayor David Miller, yesterday at City Hall.

Like those historic promenades, the new Queens Quay promises to embody core principles of urban design to maximize the street’s value. The study from Waterfront Toronto calls for removal of pedestrian barriers such as narrow sidewalks, greater attention to environmental issues, a wide-ranging network of public spaces and the creation of new diverse and dynamic communities.

The street will also include a light rail line, courtesy of the Transit City project.

“Queens Quay will be the first community to rely on transit, not cars,” Glaisek said.

City planners weighed the area’s transportation needs by measuring usage. They found 70 per cent of visitors to Queens Quay don’t come by car. Yet the current configuration gives no less than 52 per cent of total road space in the neighbourgood to cars.

Further complicating matters is the presence of tour buses and taxis, many of which park illegally and create a barrier to pedestrians, according to Glaisek. Therefore, the plan for Queen’s Quay calls for aggressive curbside management to prevent such scenarios from occurring.

While reaction to the Queens Quay revitalization plan was generally positive, objections were raised about certain details.

Kevin Currie, chair of the Queens Quay BIA, representing 350 businesses, called the plan?s traffic projections overly optimistic.

“There’s little margin for error,” Currie said.

Deepak Ruparell and Vindod Patel, owners of the Radisson Hotel at Harbourfront, said that the plan to shut down Robinson Crescent to car traffic in the west would have a disastrous effect on their business.

Representatives from Redpath Sugar, which has operated along Queens Quay for 50 years, expressed support for the plan but cautioned that the project would prevent the company’s trucks from making sugar deliveries at peak times for up to four hours a day.

Other doubts were raised on the placement of transit stops and scarcity of parking spots.

Ron Fletcher from the Toronto Bicycling Network, which has 900 members, pointed out a design flaw affecting non-automobile traffic on a stretch of street east of Spadina that presents a danger to cyclists. He claimed that planning partners did not address the concerns of his group.

“Our group was a stakeholder (in the process) but Waterfront Toronto was too busy to get to us,” he complained.

Councillor Pam McConnell tabled a motion for city staff to work with the deputants and address their concerns.