Were it a province, Toronto’s 25 seats — all held by Liberals — would make it the fifth most riding-rich target in the federal election, after Ontario, Quebec, British Columbia and Alberta.The city is a prize. And like any other large, coveted jurisdiction, Toronto has its specific concerns — things like public transit and gridlock, gun violence, the cost of rent and child care, and the on-the-ground impact of provincial cuts. Not solely federal issues — but the kind of things voters may be thinking about when they cast their ballots on Oct. 21, said political science professor Laura Stephenson, who studies voter behaviour at Western University.For the most part, neighbourhood issues aren’t dealt with by federal policies, she said, but it can be confusing for voters to separate Ottawa’s responsibilities from those of the province or the city. “People vote for what they care about,” she said, adding a swing of just a point or two can tilt any given race.“It’s basic math,” said Conservative strategist Jason Lietaer. The Liberals are odds-on favourites to hold Toronto, he said, but if the Tories win a few seats in the 416, that may mean they’re on track to a majority. The Star is looking at how local issues are shaping the campaign, and how your federal vote may influence what matters in your neighbourhood. Here are four Toronto-specific issues to watch for as the parties unveil their election platforms:Affording to live in TorontoWhen NDP candidate Andrew Cash (Davenport) goes door-knocking, he said, there’s one issue that stands out: “Overwhelmingly, it’s housing affordability.”It’s no secret Toronto has among the least affordable housing in the country. The question is what to do about it. Both the New Democrats and the Conservatives agree more homes need to be built in the city — though they are far apart on how to achieve that. The NDP has promised ...
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