Worth Reading - October 9, 2014

It was a busy week in politics between the developments in the House of Commons and the ongoing municipal elections in Ontario. Take a look.

John McGrath writes the (satirical) case for Doug Ford mayoral candidacy. 

Chantal Hébert writes that this week’s debate and political manoeuvring in Ottawa over the ISIS combat mission was disastrous for Justin Trudeau (LPC – Papineau, QC). 

I think the ISIS situation and the Canadian dimension is difficult to understand. Thereofre I strongly recommend Justin Ling’s fantastic piece on what this issue is and how the federal parties have responded. 

In the progressive urbanism circles there is much disparaging of the suburbs, but in reality the urban core has come to resemble the suburbs in many ways and the suburbs are adapting urban elements as well, this article discusses this blurring line. 

Jane Hilderman of Samara writes about democracy at the local level in Canada. 

From the Globe and Mail, are career politicians imperiling our system of governance? I don’t think so, but it’s worth taking a look at.

From the Brampton Guardian, there has been an implication that Mayor Susan Fennell’s poor relationship with the provincial Liberal government has hurt Brampton. 

Also from the Brampton Guardian, an editorial discusses political engagement. 

Interesting analysis breaking cities into creative-class, service-class and working-class areas.  

Gentrification is a really interesting issue for cities in my opinion. Related to the above, the impact on San Francisco is transforming the city, killing what makes it work.