Toronto politician ratioed for campaign video about the latest TTC murder
A Toronto politician has faced widespread criticism after he made a video calling for heightened security measures on TTC days after 16-year-old Gabriel Magalhaes was fatally stabbed in an unprovoked attack at the Keele subway station.
Brad Bradford, Councilor for Ward 19 Beaches-East York, has served on the Toronto City Council since 2018 and has served as Chair of the Planning and Housing Committee since 2022.
There are growing suspicions that Bradford may 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 in which he called on the TTC to “invest” its $15 million emergency security fund to prevent future incidents of violence.
Another brutal murder.
People are afraid to ride the subway.
The TTC can spend $15 million on security measures.
This money has to be used. Now. pic.twitter.com/2DxPgjqNe2
– Brad Bradford✌️ (@BradMBradford) March 28, 2023
“We struggle as a city with people suffering from mental health issues, substance abuse and poverty, all of which are happening at the TTC,” Bradford says in the video. “What are we doing about it? It’s taking far too long.”
Throughout the clip, the politician calls for the $15 million emergency security fund at the TTC to be converted into support and encourages working with the federal and provincial governments to ensure long-term funding is secured.
However, some people weren’t too happy about Bradford using the current circumstances to lobby for specific changes.
Your use of it is disgusting. Just when I thought you couldn’t possibly bend any lower. Did you listen to what she said? The extra police didn’t even help, why? Because the problem is systemic and you had the opportunity to vote for an improvement, you chose to vote NO
— The Trouble Maker (@TheAwkwardDrop) March 28, 2023
Others believed the politician used the devastating news to advance his “political agenda”.
This really makes me sick. They have supported cuts to ttc and other key services. And you’re using that boy’s death to advance your slimy agenda. You should be ashamed of yourself.
— Britt Caron (@briketysplit) March 28, 2023
One person suggested that Bradford doesn’t use public transport often and instead uses it for “photo ops.”
How often do you and your colleagues on the municipal council actually use public transport, and not just for photo ops?
— Nap at Boots Mama (@bstee9) March 28, 2023
More people chimed in, commenting that the TTC backdrop was just a “prop”.
Do you only drive the TTC when you have to film a politicizing tragedy video? No wonder we never see the city council vote on improving the service when the system is just 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 drew widespread criticism for filming a video outside a Jamaican patty shop in Scarborough, with many suggesting Bradford used the visit to gain popularity.
Others urged Bradford to take some responsibility for the recent spike in incidents across the transit network.
As the current city council, you could at least have the decency to take responsibility for the current situation instead of just using it for your election 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 problem.
Victim’s mother is demanding stronger social services, which should be a sign your kind isn’t doing us any good.
— Shawn William Clarke (@shawnclarke) March 28, 2023
A GoFundMe page for Gabriel was created Tuesday morning by Melissa Blow, 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 measure. Andrea always speaks so highly of her two boys. She was so proud to be his mother.” Page reads.
At the time of writing, the site has already raised over $14,000 off its $50,000 goal.