Olivia Chow‘s historic win as the first person of colour to be elected Toronto mayor reflects progress in the city, political observers say, although her personal history will not automatically help solve major problems facing the city.
Chow, who immigrated to Canada with her family from Hong Kong at the age of 13, has spoken frequently about being raised on a modest income and still finding opportunity in Toronto. In her victory speech she spoke with passion about Toronto being a city “where an immigrant kid from St. James Town can be standing in front of you as your new mayor.”
From those personal experiences, Chow can draw strength, observers said.
The 66-year-old former NDP parliamentarian and past city councillor might be able to better connect with marginalized city residents than previous leaders because she may be more attuned to their needs, they said.
“It does present a very good role model for other minorities, immigrants, as well as working class women who would at least try to emulate that, or at least have the hope that they will also eventually succeed,” said Guida Ching-Fan Man, a York University professor and research associate at York Centre for Asian Research.
Many residents from diverse backgrounds are elated and encouraged by Chow’s win, Man said, although she warned that the mayor-elect had a tough road ahead.
“It does not mean just having a woman of colour in the position of power as a mayor solves all problems,” said Man.
Phil Triadafilopoulos, who teaches political science at the University of Toronto, noted that Chow will have to figure out how to tackle the city’s housing affordability crisis, as well as public safety concerns and a massive budget shortfall.
Her victory, however, was a win for diversity in politics, he said.
“She’s an established veteran politician whose name is recognized, who has a track record, but she also represents a change in how Toronto is going to be governed,” he said.
Chow will be an effective leader if she can leverage her strength of connecting with people of different backgrounds into building strong relationships with other levels of government, Triadafilopoulos said.
“She’s dependent in many ways on funding from the higher orders of government, principally from the province,” he said.
Chow, who plans to officially begin her mayoral duties on July 12, took note Tuesday of the diversity reflected in the record 102 candidates who ran for the city’s top job.
“It’s important to reflect who we’re representing,” she said outside city hall.
“It’s also saying to every Torontonian, ‘Doesn’t matter where you came from, what is your skin colour, faith, doesn’t matter who you are, if you have the passion, and ideas to contribute to the city, please, the door’s open, come, you have that power to do so.’ That’s a Toronto dream.”