BRIAN GRAFF's biography
I am a life-long resident of Toronto, with degrees in Environmental Studies in Architecture. I later returned to university for an MBA in Finance and Real Property - most of my work experience has been in financial analysis. I also have a real estate licence and am midway towards a Real Estate Appraisal designation, via courses though UBC.
Since my early 20s I have been involved in politics (off and on), and since 2011 I have become something of a "community activist" on planning and municipal issues in particular.
When I was a child and my mother took me to work on a couple of campaigns. However, I only became involved as a card-carrying member of a political party in 1983. After 3 months in Italy as part of my Architecture studies, I felt a stronger sense of my identity as a Canadian and how lucky I was to be born here, and I wanted to contribute to building an even better future for Canada and Canadians.
In 2014 I was a candidate for City Council in Toronto's Ward 32 (now called Ward 37 for 2018). I entered the race in July when it seemed that nobody else would seriously contest the re-election of incumbent Councillor McMahon. However, former Councillor Sandra Bussin entered the race on the last possible day (early September) and the media gave me no coverage. Despite being an unknown and getting no media coverage, I came in third against two candidates who had won before.
Never did I ever think I would ever run for elected office, but I felt a duty to run. I have generally been suspicious of politicians who run out of a need to satisfy their ego instead of because there is an issue or import policy issue or problem that draws them into politics. I want to bring about change, or at least, see issues important to me properly debated.
I would describe myself as a "policy wonk", as I love fresh thinking and new ideas, and figuring out ways to make our city, our province or our country even better. I also write a lot of Letters to the Editor to local newspapers.
I'm loath to define myself as an adherent to any ideology or "-ism" but i would call myself an Economic Nationalist - along the lines of the late Mel Hurtig.
People often asked me if I was going to run for Council again in 2018. I have decided instead to run for Mayor because it is important that a variety of issues get debated and that people have a real choice in place of Mayor Tory.
Brian
Since my early 20s I have been involved in politics (off and on), and since 2011 I have become something of a "community activist" on planning and municipal issues in particular.
When I was a child and my mother took me to work on a couple of campaigns. However, I only became involved as a card-carrying member of a political party in 1983. After 3 months in Italy as part of my Architecture studies, I felt a stronger sense of my identity as a Canadian and how lucky I was to be born here, and I wanted to contribute to building an even better future for Canada and Canadians.
In 2014 I was a candidate for City Council in Toronto's Ward 32 (now called Ward 37 for 2018). I entered the race in July when it seemed that nobody else would seriously contest the re-election of incumbent Councillor McMahon. However, former Councillor Sandra Bussin entered the race on the last possible day (early September) and the media gave me no coverage. Despite being an unknown and getting no media coverage, I came in third against two candidates who had won before.
Never did I ever think I would ever run for elected office, but I felt a duty to run. I have generally been suspicious of politicians who run out of a need to satisfy their ego instead of because there is an issue or import policy issue or problem that draws them into politics. I want to bring about change, or at least, see issues important to me properly debated.
I would describe myself as a "policy wonk", as I love fresh thinking and new ideas, and figuring out ways to make our city, our province or our country even better. I also write a lot of Letters to the Editor to local newspapers.
I'm loath to define myself as an adherent to any ideology or "-ism" but i would call myself an Economic Nationalist - along the lines of the late Mel Hurtig.
People often asked me if I was going to run for Council again in 2018. I have decided instead to run for Mayor because it is important that a variety of issues get debated and that people have a real choice in place of Mayor Tory.
Brian
