Toronto is about to make a decision that will reverberate across the country, choosing among three extraordinary candidates for mayor. Two stand out by virtue of their excellence while the third is exceptional for precisely the opposite reason – and would represent nothing short of disaster.

At stake is the effective administration of Canada’s largest city. And it’s vital that voters choose well next Monday.

They are lucky to have Olivia Chow in the race. She has emerged as Toronto’s political conscience, speaking for the disadvantaged and proposing thoughtful policies to improve their lives. She describes her core value as: “Everyone counts.” That’s a message this city needs to hear; compassion should guide the actions of whoever becomes mayor.

They are just as fortunate to have John Tory on the ballot. He has an impressive record as a successful leader in business and at the helm of organizations as varied as the Canadian Football League and the urban advocacy group CivicAction. That would stand him in good stead heading the City of Toronto, a corporation with a $9.6-billion operating budget.

But Tory offers more than a track record as a capable manager. He has a well-earned reputation as a caring conservative who knows the city can succeed only if it works for all its people. He has distinguished himself in working for the community, in activities as varied as chairing the United Way campaign to grassroots efforts aimed at bringing jobs to disadvantaged youth.

Either Olivia Chow or John Tory could make a fine mayor for Toronto. But at this time, with the challenges the city faces now, we believe Tory is the clear choice to bring Toronto together, make progress on the key issues and put the chaos of the past four years behind us.

Which brings us to Doug Ford (open Doug Ford's policard), the third extraordinary candidate in this race. His platform is simple: a continuation of the legacy of his brother, departing mayor Rob Ford (open Rob Ford's policard) – minus the “drunken stupors” and crack cocaine. That would mean four more years of dysfunction and division at city hall.

Despite that, Toronto remains one of the world’s best places to live, work and do business. But the staggering incompetence of the Ford administration has resulted in lost opportunities and waning influence in a city that once did much to set the country’s urban agenda. It’s a dismal record of bullying, ethics violations, service cuts, costly public transit flip-flops, and policy failures that include an ill-judged effort to seize control of waterfront development and a lost bet on a downtown casino.

The distractions of the past four years must end. New direction is needed. For that we need insightful leadership, a bold urban vision and a mayor able to draw people together from across the political spectrum behind a common goal: building a great city.

Tory is best placed to deliver what Toronto needs now. Choosing between him and Chow has not been easy. Chow’s policies resonate with those who believe Toronto can prosper only as a progressive city, and worry that the deepening divisions between haves and have-nots threaten our future. Having an experienced, capable, visible minority woman heading one of the world’s most multicultural cities presents an inspiring prospect.

But Toronto’s agonizingly long mayoral campaign has shown Tory to be the candidate most effective in reaching across party lines, rallying support, and convincing people to pull together. It’s telling that he is leading in almost all parts of the city – including the heart of “Ford Nation” in Etobicoke and downtown areas where Chow could be expected to run strongest. That’s vital for progress at city hall, especially after the bitterness of the Ford era.

Tory is also best-positioned to wring gains from Ottawa and Queen’s Park. That’s essential if substantial progress is to be made in building public transit, expanding low-income housing, and fixing the city’s crumbling infrastructure. Tory could serve as a compelling advocate, both by using his extensive contacts in government and by assuming a leadership role in the Greater Toronto Area and beyond. We can’t help but feel that Chow would be less effective.

As head of Canada’s sixth largest government Toronto’s mayor is well-placed – indeed obligated – to pursue municipal advocacy on a national stage. Rob Ford never bothered. But Tory is ideally positioned to do so, given his broad background and his work at CivicAction.

Much depends on the results, including the success of Tory’s much-hyped SmartTrack transit plan. We’ve expressed skepticism about whether this massive expansion of rail service can be delivered in just seven years and at no cost to Toronto ratepayers. But Tory insists he will make it happen. If he succeeds it would constitute remarkable progress and, with that in mind, it’s fair to give Tory his chance.

He told the Star’s editorial board last week he expects to win city council’s approval for SmartTrack, along with federal and provincial backing, by the end of his four-year term. He conceded it will be “a real problem” for his plan if those approvals don’t materialize. And by that he will be judged.

We like much of Tory’s platform. He’s sound on improving the code of conduct at city hall, on attracting more business to Toronto, on arts funding and on keeping the land transfer tax. We like his pledge to expand bike lanes, spend more on planting trees, and on collecting data to help reduce energy consumption in city buildings. And Tory is generally in favour of expanded childcare and more opportunities for young people, although we wish he would commit to specific goals in these areas, as Chow has done.

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We disagree with some of Tory’s policies, such as his backing of a three-stop Scarborough subway extension when light-rail makes more sense. But we didn’t support everything David Miller stood for when we endorsed him, over Tory, back in 2003.

At this time in Toronto’s history the city needs a diplomat and a unifier; a skilled administrator with a social conscience; and a compelling urban advocate. This city needs John Tory as its mayor.

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