This is my first time voting in Canada since I became a citizen only a few weeks ago. I care about municipal elections more than federal elections because the mayor we select actually decides the world we live in. My priorities are buying a condo or a house within the next few months at the cheapest rate possible, by which I mean condo rates. Should probably collapse even further so that it helps me. And secondly, I would like to see less racism. Now, I know none of this is within the purview of the mayor, but I'm still mentioning what are my priorities as a citizen. I would also like the cost of living to go down. Like, you know, the things that we shop for groceries and in the supermarket, I wish they are less expensive. Considering all this, who is the best mayor that I could vote for? I need your thoughts and opinions. I got to know that there are some 50 candidates running, and out of them, like half of them are faked. Probably some people who had nothing better to do and they just enroll their name. I got to know about one Laura Dean. She is a first timer. She does hold a lot of promise, but you never know if she will deliver. Brad Bradford looks like Trump slash Doug Ford to me. I feel like if he gets elected to office, he will spew hate. But I don't care as. Long as it does, really something concrete. Olivia Chow, I don't know how her performance has been. I remember she loves to dance at festivals and stuff like that, but I really don't know how well her performance has been as a mayor. In her first year, she hiked property taxes by almost 10%, which was probably a big pain point for most of the homeowners out there. The latest property rate increase is 2%. Which is okay, but next year I think she will hike it a lot again if she gets elected. Who are you voting for and why?

I asked Claude and ChatGPT what I should be taking with me. They said I should be checking on myvote.toronto.ca. They said I can show bank statement and power bill in my phone. I'm not required to take my passport with me since it is not recognized. I'm planning to take my Ontario health card. Is there something else I need to know?

Also, I'm heading out now to vote. I live near Queen Anne's Padina. Is there anything I need to know? I just asked ChatGPT and Claude, and they said I should be checking on myvote.toronto.ca, and passport is not required. I'm wondering if I can show my bank statements and my power bill on my phone, if that is okay. And I'm planning to take my Ontario health card with me. I think that should be enough.

Hi everyone, looking for advice on my situation as a tenant in Ontario.

I moved into my apartment in April, and when I turned on the AC in June, I realized the vent in my bedroom wasn't producing any airflow. Some vents in the living room also don't work, but my roommate's bedroom vent works fine.

My room was unbearably hot all summer, and the fan my landlord provided didn't help much. A technician came to inspect the issue but said it couldn't be resolved. My landlord is aware of the problem.

Now that it's getting colder, my room stays cold, especially at night, because there's still no airflow from the vent. I messaged my landlord asking if they could provide a heater, but they haven't responded. I followed up today.

I'm still paying full rent, with utilities on top, despite dealing with this issue for months.

What are my options? Is the landlord responsible for fixing this or providing an alternative solution? Can I request a rent reduction or compensation, and what should I do if they continue not responding?

I'd appreciate any advice, especially from anyone familiar with Ontario tenant rights (i live in Mississauga by the way). Thanks!

My partner is attending those sessions. I won't go into the details because for those who understand this will know what led him there.

My question is for those who attended, do they encourage dialogue exchange with all the participants attending. I get that facilitators are looking for participation but putting your hand up to answer questions is not enough...

How useful is this program for someone who is obviously ordered by his probation officer to attend because a man will only change if he wants to, no one can force a person to change. I get that.

But does this program also offer individual 5-10 minute check-ins? Do they journal and the facilitators review their submissions to see if it's genuine? How do they make sure the participants are not using AI to help them get through the program?

Sincerely,

A heartbroken and yet slightly hopeful wife.

Edit: I'm in therapy specializing in my situation which has been tremendously helpful. I appreciate the comments.

I assumed my spouse's surname after marriage, but I combined my maiden surname and my husband's surname with a space. I now want to use only my husband's surname. Can I make a new marriage-based surname election, or do I need to apply for a legal change of name?

E.g. my maiden surname is Jones and my spouse's surname is Jack. I had my last name changed to 'Jones Jack'. Now I want it changed to Jack only. Is that allowed without having to do a legal name change?

With campaigning wrapping up, I’m curious what people across Ontario have been hearing about their local municipal elections.

Personally, I’ve heard more about Toronto’s campaign than I have about what’s happening in my own community.

What’s the campaign been like where you live?
Have local candidates and issues been getting much attention, or has it been relatively quiet?

Curious to hear how it compares across the province.

I like Anglo-Saxon English history.

Due to obligations and limited finances, I was curious if I was to go to a medieval fair next year or after, which would you recommend?

I look at various travel websites but those are promotion purposes and biased. I want to hear an attendees' perspective!

I am also thinking of going to Medieval Times .... one day.

I was referred to a medical specialist and had my first/only appointment with them last spring. At that time, the doctor said that I should get a specific test done (which I did), and that she wanted to see me again in 6 months for a follow up visit.

I haven't heard anything at all from them since then. This is my first time dealing with a specialist, so I'm not sure what's supposed to happen next. Is it the norm for them to call me to book that follow up visit, or am I supposed to reach out to them at the 6-months mark?

I fear that he will choose to evict me by calling the police, with the excuse that he feels threatened by me/ I am dangerous to his safety if I choose to report him (I share a kitchen with him).

What can I do to get the temperature up?

Last Thursday I got my G1 drivers licence card in the mail and the photo is blurry/unfocused. The same day I got the card, I went to ServiceOntario to see if they would retake the photo for free (lol I had a feeling they wouldn‘t, but I don‘t see why I should pay for their mistake) and the lady told me 1. I would have to pay for a retake, 2. The photo is fine since the ministry still sent me the card.

From a far, the photo looks ok, but close up you can see how blurry it is. You can tell it‘s me, but the picture isn‘t sharp at all. Has this happened to anybody else? If so, was your blurry pic fine to use as ID, or did you eventually have to pay for a retake?

I have a senior (75yo) relative who had a stroke a couple of years ago and is no longer able to speak or make their own decisions due to cognitive damage. They are currently living in long-term care, and I handle all of their financial and health decisions as POA.

I recently received a notice to renew their driver's licence and health card. Obviously, the driver's licence will not be renewed, and after a discussion with Service Ontario today, I have requested my relative's doctor to complete the Health Card Medical Exemption Request (form 014-3164-84), which I will take to Service Ontario to renew the health card.

However, I'm not sure if they also need an Ontario ID card to replace their driver’s licence as a proof of residency. Is the ID card required for anything, and can it even be issued without a photo and signature? Although the Ontario website states that you need a driver's licence or ID card as proof of residency in order to renew your health card, is that overridden by the doctor's declaration on the Health Card Medical Exemption form?

Apologies in advance if this is a duplicate, I was sure I saw a post on this recently but can't find it in the sub.