12:59 p.m., May 9, 2018. George Smitherman speaks to the media after registering to run for city councillor representing the neighbourhoods surrounding Cabbagetown.
Former deputy premier of the Liberal government, George Smitherman, registered to run for Toronto City Council today.
"[I'm] really excited and, in a certain sense, liberated… because the privilege of trying to represent a community as an elected representative — that's what comes more naturally to me than anything else," he said moments after registering.
This wasn't the first time the veteran politician spoke of that idea of being a community at city hall. In 2016, Smitherman came to the mayor's Executive Committee to make a deputation about an item called "Request for the Government of Ontario to Close Pickering Nuclear Station in 2018." Smitherman's comments included his experience as former Minister of Energy and Infrastructure of Ontario in 2008.
Smitherman's answer, almost two years ago, was that he started as an advocate fighting to keep the Wellesley Hospital open and believes it's important for communities to inform the discussion on the issue.