Thanks to Premier Doug Ford, Toronto’s 44 municipal wards were smashed into just 25 while the election was well underway. That’s resulted in a campaign in which candidates have had to spend as much time sorting through confusion on the doorstep as addressing the important issues the city faces.

With two incumbents going head-to-head in many wards, voters have particularly tough choices to make. It’s a travesty that voters have been stripped of half their elected representatives, and it’s more important than ever to elect progressive and diverse city builders who can push Toronto forward and, if necessary, defend it from further incursions by the Ford government.

With that in mind, here are our choices for Wards 1 to 12:

Ward 1, Etobicoke North: Incumbents Michael Ford, often little more than a mouthpiece for his uncle the premier, and Vincent Crisanti both need to be shown the door. Carol Royer has impressive credentials as an entrepreneur and community activist and understands the issues of poverty and inequality that should be brought to the fore. That makes her the better choice.

Ward 2, Etobicoke Centre: John Campbell certainly leans right but he has an intelligent approach to the issues, does his research, and at times can reach across the aisle to work with more progressive councillors. He’s a better bet than the other incumbent, Stephen Holyday, a notorious penny-pincher who holds to a badly outdated vision of what the city should be.

Ward 3, Etobicoke Lakeshore: It’s time to replace incumbent Mark Grimes who always stands in the way of progress. Amber Morley has 10 years of community work under her belt with the LAMP Community Heath Centre and five years of city hall experience working in an Etobicoke councillor’s office. She knows how the place works and can hit the ground running. Morley is our choice here.

Ward 4, Parkdale High Park: Gord Perks is a strongly principled councillor who is also a great tactician. He has a deep understanding of how the city works so he’s successful in pushing progressive ideas forward. His ward, and the rest of the city, need him now more than ever.

Ward 5, York South-Weston: Lekan Olawoye is the change this ward needs. His work on talent development at MaRS and numerous community organizations make him well placed to constructively address the issues facing youth and marginalized communities. Both incumbents, Frank Di Giorgio and Frances Nunziata, should be sent to pasture.

Ward 6, York Centre: Maria Augimeri is a veteran councillor but one who hasn’t grown stale. She remains a hard worker, passionate about her ward and a strong advocate for the needs of the city as a whole. Her voting record on the issues that matter most is solid, making her a better choice over the unimpressive James Pasternak.

Ward 7, Humber River-Black Creek: The top priority here is to get rid of incumbent Giorgio Mammoliti, arguably the worst member of council. The best way to do that is to support the other incumbent, Anthony Perruzza, a reliably sensible councillor. School trustee Tiffany Ford has also made a good showing in this ward and could be a compelling new progressive voice.

Ward 8, Eglinton Lawrence: Mike Colle was a long-serving and capable councillor until 1995 when he was elected as the Liberal MPP for the area. After a narrow defeat in June he’s looking to return to council (where his son Josh had represented the ward) and his wealth of experience warrants his election over the disappointing Christin Carmichael Greb.

Ward 9, Davenport: Ana Bailao has been a reasonable centrist voice at city hall and has worked hard on the issues in her ward. She’s been a fairly effective champion on the seemingly difficult-to-deliver affordable housing file. Given the alternatives, that makes her the best choice.

Ward 10, Spadina-Fort York: Joe Cressy has been effective in managing development pressures in his ward and the city at large to the benefit of the community — no easy thing to do. He’s been an important voice urging the city forward on many issues, from the King St. streetcar pilot to harm reduction sites. His voice is one the city needs.

Ward 11, University-Rosedale: Mike Layton is a forward-thinking, progressive councillor who understands the needs of his ward and the city at large. He’s been an outspoken advocate on important files including the need for more parks, affordable housing and environmental programs. He deserves another term.

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Ward 12, Toronto-St. Paul’s: This is the hardest choice of all given the two excellent incumbents, Joe Mihevc and Josh Matlow. Mihevc has long been a vital and reflective presence deeply rooted in social justice but Matlow is the councillor we need today. He emerged as the most eloquent and effective defender of Toronto when Ford gutted council and he will be needed in the days ahead.

Tuesday: Our endorsements for Wards 13 to 25.

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