Twelve years ago, Masihulla Mahebzada immigrated to Canada. He chose Cougar Court, just north of Eglinton on Markham Road, as his new home. “My life moved forward in Scarborough,” Mahebzada said. But Cougar Court has also witnessed shootings and murders, including those of 16-year-old Mahamed Adbi Warsame and 22-year-old Ricardo Erik, who were both killed in 2008 within 10 days of each other. Violent crimes, such as these, have given the Scarborough Southwest ward a tarnished reputation. “(That’s why) I thought it was time to bring changes to the community I grew up in.”

When mayoral candidate Sarah Thomson walked into her campaign office last Sept. 9, she was greeted by a sometimes uncommon sight - reporters ready and waiting. “We became accustomed to the fact that every time I had a press announcement, the press wouldn’t cover it,” Thomson said. But the reporters’ presence that day was bittersweet. Thomson was about to drop out of the running for mayor of Toronto. According to Thomson, the room was so silent you could hear a pin drop.

Candidates for councillor in Trinity-Spadina — a whopping 22 of them — have their calendars marked for next Wednesday. The Rogers TV Ward 20 all-candidates debate is set for Sept. 24 at 2:30 p.m., and with so many voices competing to be heard, the debate promises to be interesting.

Sarah Thomson is dropping out of the mayoral race and beginning her campaign for councillor of Ward 20, Trinity-Spadina, she has announced.

Rob Ford has officially reinforced his support of the proposed Toronto casino. Mayor Ford released a letter Monday morning around the same time as the City Manager, Joe Pennachetti, released his report on a plan to allow the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation to bring a casino to the city. Ford has always been a tentative supporter of the plan, but in his public letter he re-affirms this, approving the idea.

Rosario Marchese supporters had a pretty clear idea why their candidate won re-election in...

Sarah Thomson says her 2010 bid for the mayor’s chair in Toronto, propelled her...

A Toronto District School Board trustee has challenged politicians to deal with education issues...

As Jack Layton took the stage at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, early Tuesday...

The question of the Toronto’s island airport expansion proved to be a divisive issue in an otherwise amicable Trinity-Spadina all-candidates debate held at the Harbourfront Centre Tuesday night.

A Rob Ford endorsement and the support of members of the Chinese community didn’t...