Toronto politician ratioed for campaign video about the latest TTC murder
One Toronto politician is picking up lots of criticism after filming a video calling for increased safety measures on the TTC days after 16-year-old Gabriel Magalhaes was fatally stabbed in an unprovoked attack at Keele subway station.
Brad Bradford, city councillor for Ward 19 Beaches-East York, has served on Toronto City Council since 2018 and has been the chair of the planning and housing committee since 2022.
There is growing suspicion that Bradford could potentially announce his intention to run for mayor of Toronto in the June 26 by-election, but no concrete plans have been announced as of yet.
The 36-year-old politician uploaded a nearly 90-second clip to Twitter on Tuesday morning, urging the TTC to “put to work” its $15 million emergency safety fund to deter future instances of violence.
Another violent murder.
People are scared to ride the subway.
The TTC has $15 million to spend on safety measures.
This money needs to be put to work. Now. pic.twitter.com/2DxPgjqNe2
— Brad Bradford✌️ (@BradMBradford) March 28, 2023
“We are grappling, as a city, with folks who have mental health challenges, substance abuse, poverty, all of that is playing out on the TTC,” Bradford says in the video. “What are we doing about it? It is taking way too long.”
Throughout the clip, the politician calls for the $15 million emergency safety fund at the TTC to be translated into supports and encourages collaboration with the federal and provincial governments to ensure long-term funding is secured.
However, some people weren’t too happy with Bradford’s use of the current circumstances to advocate for certain changes.
Your use of this is disgusting. Just when I thought you couldn’t possibly stoop any lower. Did you LISTEN to what she said?? The extra police didn’t even help why? Bc the problem is systemic and when you’ve had the chance to vote to improve, you’ve chosen to vote NO
— The Maker of Trouble (@TheAwkwardDrop) March 28, 2023
Others believed that the politician was using the devastating news to further his “political agenda.”
This really makes me sick. You supported cuts to the ttc and to other essential services. And you are using this boy’s death to further your slimey agenda. You should be ashamed of yourself.
— Britt Caron (@briketysplit) March 28, 2023
One person suggested that Bradford doesn’t actually use public transit often, and instead was using it as a “photo opportunity.”
How often do you and your colleagues on council actually use public transit, not just use it for photo opportunities?
— afternoon nap the house down boots mama (@bstee9) March 28, 2023
More people chimed in, commenting that the TTC background was simply a “prop.”
Do you only ride the TTC when you need to make a video politicizing tragedy? No wonder we never see city council voting to improve service if the system is only there to be a prop.
— Philip J Mills (@PJforTO) March 28, 2023
This isn’t the first time Bradford has been accused of facilitating a “PR stunt.” Just last month, the politician received lots of criticism for filming a video outside a Scarborough Jamaican patty shop, with many suggesting that Bradford used the visit to gain popularity.
Others called on Bradford to take some accountability for the recent spike in incidents throughout the transit network.
As a current city councillor you could at least have the decency to take some responsibility for the current situation rather than just exploiting it for your campaign
— alexis (@piptal) March 28, 2023
One person noted that the victim’s mother herself is calling for stronger social services to address the root cause of the issue.
The victims mother is calling for stronger social services, which should be a sign that your kind is of no use to us.
— Shawn William Clarke (@shawnclarke) March 28, 2023
A GoFundMe page for Gabriel was created on Tuesday morning by Melissa Blow, who is a friend and colleague of the victim’s mother.
“Gabriel was 16 and he had so many dreams. He has a zest for life like no other. He was loved beyond meaning. Andrea always speaks so highly of both of her boys. She was so proud to be his mother,” the page reads.
At the time of writing, the page has already raised over $14,000 out of its $50,000 goal.
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