By Leroy Graham

There’s something strange about the door to Toronto Councillor Michael Thompson’s City Hall office—it’s open. Unlike many municipal figures, who tend to be unreachable unless it’s election season, Thompson is accessible. It’s one of the ways in which the councillor and chair of Toronto’s Economic Development Committee is setting a new tone at City Hall.

“We have an open office,” says Thompson. “You’ll often find young people volunteering or members of the community with us. My name may be on the door, but this office isn’t for me or my ego. It’s a place where we work to build the best city possible.”

The openness of Thompson’s office reflects a mindset aimed at civic engagement. From an early age, Thompson recognized the importance of being connected to the political process. “I decided at age 13 that I wanted to become a politician,” he says. “My friend’s father was injured at work. I was in the house when his father came home and it was obvious that he wouldn’t be able to work for a number of days.

Back then… employers could simply let people go if they were hurt and couldn’t work. I remember how demoralized he sounded while talking to his wife. I felt that there should be someone to help them. That is the moment when I decided that I’d get into politics.”

While working summers to save money for his post-secondary education, Thompson made time to volunteer for political candidates, handing out flyers, knocking on doors and taking on any tasks that would allow him to gain a better understanding of politics. The opportunity to learn as an insider was invaluable to Thompson.

“Back when I was getting my feet wet, I am sure a lot of people wondered why I was so eager to do all of those things,” he says. “But I looked at it as an advantage. I was getting a political education and it was free. I recognized that it was the political environment where one could bring forth policies through ideas and discussion while being in a position to change outcomes and behaviours, and set some standards. Most importantly, I realized that you can never change the game while being a spectator. You need to get in the game in order to change things.”

After an unsuccessful Toronto council bid in 1994, Thompson beat out six candidates to become the elected representative for Scarborough’s Ward 37. He immediately began work on proposals aimed at eliminating the mostly Black on Black violence prevalent in Toronto’s low-income communities. In 2005, he gained notoriety for an off-the-cuff remark that many in the media took as an endorsement of racial profiling.

Looking back, Thompson is satisfied with what he was able to accomplish. “We were able to bring people together,” he says. “Police Chief Fantino, myself and several others worked together to put forward a comprehensive strategy which ultimately saved lives. The city is benefiting from that work to this day. That’s the real power in the politics—making a difference for those in the community.”

Today, Thompson is recognized as one of the most respected members of city council. His economic strategies have helped Toronto muscle through the current economic downturn, he’s had a hand in bringing premier cultural events and professional conferences to the city, and he’s worked with various police services to reduce crime and initiate youth programs across Toronto.

With a keen understanding of the city’s political landscape, and an impressive list of accomplishments and responsibilities, many political experts see Thompson as a viable candidate for Toronto’s top job. But when asked if he’s interested in filling the mayor’s seat, Thompson likes his options the way he likes his door—open. “Let’s just say I am very happy where I am right now…I’ll just leave it at that.”

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