The scam artist trying to ruin Toronto

Greg Brown (0:00)

How many times do we have to learn the lesson of private companies don't make things better?

Mitchell Moffit (0:14)

We've seen it happen in cities and countries around the world, individuals or people who will attach themselves to hot button sensitive issues in order to gain attention and power. Today's character is no different. What happens when one of the fastest growing and coolest cities in the world, Toronto, finds itself at the center of a scam artist who is trying to gain power? Today we're going to talk about Toronto's mayoral race, Mamdani. And again, what happens when politicians latch on to right-wing talking points to gain power, but have no plan for what happens after being elected?

Greg Brown (0:44)

Spicy.

Mitchell Moffit (0:45)

Okay. We're doing intros where I read them.

And I was like, I could tell as I was saying, I was like, I'm reading this. No, that's fine. I felt like I was like in grade eight, like giving a speech.

Greg Brown (0:54)

Yeah, it doesn't sound as perfectly natural, but I think it's like, we're trying to give like a better sense of what our episodes will be about instead of just jumping right in.

Mitchell Moffit (1:02)

Yeah, like today we're talking about a- Hey, you did a great job. Today we're talking- A scam artist. A scam artist named Brad Bradford.

Greg Brown (1:06)

Literally, no, named Bradford Bradford.

Mitchell Moffit (1:10)

And if you're not aware-

Greg Brown (1:12)

The premise of this episode was prompted because there's about to be a mayoral race-

Mitchell Moffit (1:16)

It's happening right now in Toronto.

Greg Brown (1:17)

Oh yeah, when this comes out-

Mitchell Moffit (1:18)

You can vote.

Greg Brown (1:18)

You probably can early vote.

Mitchell Moffit (1:20)

Do not vote for Brad Bradford.

Greg Brown (1:22)

Well, burying the lead. Try that.

Mitchell Moffit (1:26)

Well, it's crazy. He's crazy. You're going to be fascinated.

Greg Brown (1:28)

Obviously, for us, it's also like we live in Toronto. This is like very present. But if you aren't from Toronto and you're like, I don't know anything about Canadian politics. I think it also applies to a lot of what's happening in the world, especially as we look at New York and see Mamdani. But we see even on the country levels, lots of uncertainty and people who are trying to exploit fears and economic woes in order to manipulate people just to gain power. And so that's what prompted this episode. But we really did want to talk about Brad Bradford specifically, who is going up against Olivia Chow, who is our current mayor.

Mitchell Moffit (2:04)

And it's a fascinating tale of the right wing and how in this political era, there are certain things that again do relate to everyone. We're seeing it happening in Europe and things like that, that politicians will latch on to. And I think it's important to talk about, so we can actually bring clarity to them and help people and ourselves understand how to vote effectively, because it's one of the only things we can do to control ensuring that the world doesn't get worse and become an authoritarian, horrible place that rich people get richer and poor people get poorer.

Greg Brown (2:35)

For sure. So we have a lot of things to say, but where shall we start? I think this is gonna be a little bit of an expose.

Okay, if you're not from Toronto, so like Olivia Chow has been mayor, what? Like this is her first term, so she's like be going into her second term if she wins again. I think she's done a great job. I know people have mixed opinions around like certain elements of her time as mayor, but-

Mitchell Moffit (2:59)

Overall, pretty slay.

Greg Brown (3:01)

Yeah, and I think like, like Mamdani, for example, in my opinion, I can tell someone like Olivia Chow actually cares about the welfare and the wellbeing of the citizens of the city, and wants to make this a better place for everyone. And I sort of feel that about Mamdani too. I'm like, I don't know all of his politics. We don't live in New York, but you see lots of great things. He's a great communicator. That's his largest strength. But you're like, as people, I genuinely believe that they're good people who are trying to do good things.

Mitchell Moffit (3:28)

Unlike Brad Bradford. Okay, I want to explain how his name's actually Bradford Bradford. Okay. Like, which is crazy.

Greg Brown (3:35)

For context, though, everyone will don't know, he ran against Olivia Chow last time and maybe only lost like a percent or two of the vote.