Mayoral candidate John Tory is promising to make job creation a priority if he is elected as the city’s chief magistrate on Monday, despite the fact that the issue was often ignored during the course of the campaign.

With the mayoral campaign entering its final weekend, Tory was asked on Friday whether there is a topic he wishes he focussed more on and the former businessman admitted that the need for good, long-term jobs didn’t get enough attention from his campaign or that of his competitors.

“I do think that we spent a little less time discussing jobs than I may have liked because I really do think that a job, a good, safe, long-term productive, lasting job, is going to be at the root of having families be able to better provide for themselves in this city now and in the future,” Tory said. “I wish there had been more discussion but it is certainly something I am going to focus very much on if I get the privilege of being mayor on Monday and afterwards.”

During the campaign rival candidate Olivia Chow did promise to create 5,000 jobs for young people while Tory spoke of developing the East Don Lands as a new business district; however the issue of job creation was mostly passed over in favour of discussions surrounding gridlock and public transit.

Speaking with reporters, Tory maintained that improving public transit infrastructure is important because it is needed to “connect people to jobs,” but he said that if elected he wants to look at “bringing more jobs to Toronto.”

Tory’s comments about job creation came hours after the National Post published a story in which long-time Mississauga mayor Hazel McCallion said Tory will “make every effort to provide the leadership that is lacking at the present time by the mayor of Toronto.”

In a press release issued by his campaign, Tory said it was an “honour” to get the support of someone he considers to be a “legend.”

“She (McCallion) has served the people of Mississauga for decades and led the city through a period of tremendous growth and prosperity. She is an example of leadership and community service,” Tory said.

Chow on helping new Canadians

Elsewhere on the campaign trail today, Olivia Chow met with a group of new Canadians in the St. James Town neighbourhood where she grew up.

Chow then held a press conference to discuss the issues facing recent immigrants, highlighting her plans to build 15,000 new affordable housing units and expand a school nutrition program to an additional 36,000 students.

“I remember when I first went to school in this neighbourhood it was tough. One of my parents couldn’t find a job and my mom worked in a hotel, which didn’t pay a whole lot. Life was difficult and occasionally I would be quite hungry in school,” Chow said. “That is why it is important that kids have good nutritious foods when they are in school so they can focus on their learning.”

Chow also discussed the need for improved bus service and her plan to create a mentorship program for new Canadians looking to start businesses during the press conference.

“I have the best ideas and best platform all costed out for newcomers and new Canadians in the city,” Chow declared.

Later this morning, Doug Ford is expected to canvass in the Eglinton and Victoria Park Avenue area before attending a Diwali celebration in Etobicoke this afternoon.

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