As you can read below, I do not agree with the rebate system in place for donations to municipal campaigns. However, since the system exists now, for every donation to the Glenn4Mayor campaign, I will donate an amount equal to the rebate to the Toronto chapter of the Guardian Angels. So if one thousand people donate $100 each, my campaign would benefit by $25,000, the Guardian Angels would receive $75,000, and the donators would be reimbursed $75,000 by City Hall.

Recent comments in Toronto newspapers have declared that it takes a million dollars to run a campaign for mayor. If this is true, there is something wrong with our political system. A true democracy should elect people based on vision and capability, not wealth and position.

Both leading candidates, David Miller and Jane Pitfield, have declared a million dollar goal for their fund-raising campaigns. Did you know that the City of Toronto pays rebates on all campaign contributions? With rebates ranging from 40% to 75%, the cost of a million dollar campaign could range from $400,000 to $750,000 of taxpayer's money, for each candidate. With dozens of candidates participating in the 2006 Municipal Elections, the cost of rebates could be millions of dollars. Every person paying property tax in Toronto supports political campaigns for the municipal election, WHETHER YOU WANT TO OR NOT!

My intention would be to eliminate this misuse of taxpayer dollars. If you want to contribute to a political campaign, put your money where you mouth is. Don't expect a rebate from the city. Campaigners can learn to campaign with imagination instead of money. Of course, pushing this concept through a council that relies on campaign contributions will not be easy, but it will be one of my objectives.

In the meantime, I do not have a million dollars to spend on a campaign, and any help would be greatly appreciated. Money received will be spent on direct marketing to the general public, not on fancy parties and special deals. You will receive a receipt and instructions on how to get your rebate if you choose to.

Please mail a check or money order (minimum $50, maximum $2500) to:

Glenn 4 Mayor
9251 Yonge Street, Suite 8-924
Richmond Hill, Ontario, Canada L4C 9T3