This blog post was originally published on January 9, 2010.

I’ve spent the past few months studying the challenges facing Toronto. I have learned the issues, met and had discussions with lawyers, doctors, business owners, bankers, politicians, and cab drivers. I found that most people love this city, but they worry about the fact that businesses are leaving and our city run services are getting worse.

Over the last two weeks I have worked with policy advisors and developed a unique platform that reflects what the people of Toronto want to see changed…and there are a lot of changes.

The Facebook (Elect Sarah Thomson for Mayor of Toronto) and Twitter
(@ThomsonTO) pages are up and our website should be up by the middle of next week. We have begun the video taping, and photo shoots.

Life has changed quite a bit – instead of standing behind the cameras I’m now in front of them.

This article was originally published on January 29, 2010.

The launch on Tuesday was a terrific success. My team did a great job and we’re still answering emails and calls of support. I knew people would like my platform but I didn’t expect such an overwhelming wave of support.

But I have to admit the best moment wasn’t having the cameras and lights on me, but came in the moments just afterward when my husband whispered in my ear that he was proud of me. I’ll continue to climb mountains just so I can hear those words from him. Love can conquer all…

As the publisher of Women’s Post I also didn’t expect to get much print support but the Toronto Sun and Toronto Star gave me some pretty terrific mentions. Thank you and I tip my hat to you.

This week has reinforced what I have known all along about the art of writing. The best writers (true artists) are honest people and do not allow their politics or personal views to distort their words. They don’t have ego problems and are able to remain honest and true to their work. All of the writers I have hired for the Women’s Post are confident people with integrity. A writer without integrity is a sad thing to behold.

I had an interview with a writer who asked me where my confidence came from and warning bells went off in my head. A writer who doesn’t understand where confidence comes from is a dangerous one. I wondered if he would take my words and twist them. And he did. It is such a shame when art gets compromised by the loss of integrity.

Some people have warned me not to be so open and honest because the political world will eat me up. I heard the same warnings when I started the Women’s Post. What they don’t understand is that true strength and confidence comes from never compromising who I am.

This article was originally published on December 16, 2010.

I attended the Mayor’s inauguration last week with Don Cherry in his bright pink jacket as the guest of honour. People in the room smiled the same way they smile when a clown walks into a circus ring.

I don’t know Mr. Cherry well, but I was looking forward to a positive, team building type of speech from the former coach.

The inauguration is a ceremony designed to recognize the Mayor and the responsibility that every councilor will hold for the next 4 years. It is a moment when all councilors are recognized for winning their seat, but also an acceptance of the political agenda the Mayor will set moving forward.

There is no doubt that everyone in the room, councilors and guests, acknowledged that the left wing political agenda was defeated. The councilors were humble, they accepted Mayor Ford’s leadership respectfully, and the ceremony seemed to fulfill its intention, that is, until Don Cherry spoke.

Instead of speaking about building consensus and working together, Cherry pretended to be angry at the press and called them a bunch of “ left-wing pinko’s.” So desperate to grab a headline, he ignored the importance of the ceremony and instead chose to piss all over those on the left side of the political spectrum. The conservative in me cringed at his complete lack of humility.

After spending 10 months in front of the media, I know very well that with the spotlight comes prodding from the press. Anyone who has spent years as a public figure learns how to ignore bad press. Thus I found Mr. Cherry’s anger questionable at best, but it paved an easy path for him to launch his attention grabbing headline — “put that in your pipe you left-wing pinko kooks.” A line he so obviously and desperately wanted to use. Classy or pathetic — you be the judge?

I hope Mayor Ford noticed the humble and accepting faces of each councilor prior to Mr. Cherry’s speech because it may be a long-time before he sees them again. To build consensus he will need to understand the value in protecting the defeated and allowing them to hold onto their dignity – it will go a long way in turning a few of them into supporters.