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Antonius Clarke has lived around Jane and Finch his whole life. He went to Westview Centennial Secondary School, he studied sociology at York, and mounted a failed bid to represent Ward 8 four years ago. His experience: politicians show up during elections, then disappear into the horizon.

So, on Monday, the 29-year-old tried something new, inviting mayoral candidates for a tour of his home turf, an area often associated with poverty, crime and neglect.

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“I’m trying to give these candidates an opportunity to change this cycle,” he told reporters outside a plaza on Jane Street, south of Finch. “There is a group of people really in need of them, and it’s a gold mine.”

It was certainly a bonanza for Doug Ford, who was showered with support and affection from virtually everyone he came across during the tour, which also included Olivia Chow.

The walk through a collection of rundown Toronto Community Housing buildings was organized by the Inner City Union, a local group trying to drum up more civic engagement. Mr. Clarke said the group will host John Tory on another walk later this week, because a scheduling conflict prevented him from attending Monday’s event, held exactly one week before the Oct. 27 election.