Ford to slash Toronto city council to 25 councillors from 47, sources say

Boober69 said:

Show me the proof that city council removed some of his powers based on the fact that he was using crack.

And I would take a "crackhead" saving me money rather than a leftist tax & spend thief any day.

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City council's actions came on the heels of Rob Ford's series of admissions in recent weeks that he has smoked crack cocaine while in office, gotten behind the wheel after having a few drinks and purchased illegal drugs in the last two years.

Councillors decided by a 37-5 vote to cut the mayor’s budget and by a 36-6 vote to transfer many of Ford’s deputies and much of his budget to Deputy Mayor Norm Kelly.

A 32-10 vote decreed Ford could no longer set key matters on the legislative agenda.

Another 37-5 vote removed the mayor’s right to fill vacancies on the civic appointments committee.

The vote followed a series of scandals, triggered by reports of a video in which Ford appears to smoke crack cocaine and make homophobic and racist remarks.

In recent days, Ford had admitted to buying crack cocaine and smoking it, as well as possibly driving while drunk, but vehemently denied he is an addict or an alcoholic.


Well there goes your hero.

Oh, and that 'crackpot' mayor that you fondly remember actually did not save you any money nor add 'anything of value' to the city.

Leaked memo from legal eagles to council says they basically don't have a chance in court.

And the chief elections officer says they can run an election without difficulty.

So any delay on Councils part will only hinder the electoral process. Hopefully they realize it's a no win and move on.

Ref said:

I think this is an idea that is long overdue. Transit is just not in Toronto, it spans the golden horseshoe and covers several municipalities. Why should Toronto try and tackle the transit issue on it's own? It is too big for them. Time to pass it on to the province and let them integrate with the systems across the GTA.
There are many people outside of Toronto that use the system and there are tens of thousands of people who live in the city for short periods of time. Some leave and some come back.
There will be people who live outside of Toronto that will never use transit, and there will be people who live in Toronto and never use transit.
I do not see how this will be a bad thing.

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In agreement if this was accomplished under capable hands.
I have no trust in the current PC gov't for making informed, rational decisions not influenced by ideology.

Butler1000 said:

Leaked memo from legal eagles to council says they basically don't have a chance in court.

And the chief elections officer says they can run an election without difficulty.

So any delay on Councils part will only hinder the electoral process. Hopefully they realize it's a no win and move on.

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You've exaggerated both rather significantly. Here's a responsible source. Essentially both departments say we can do the job if that's what you tell us to (although the Council nominations will have to be done all over again), but you made up the "don't have a chance", and "without difficulty" stuff.

Specifically they said the lawsuit would be arguing on new ground, not building on precedent, and that's always risky and uncertain. Apart from the whole new nomination filings, they said redoing the election preparations already made was essentially just a matter of extra material costs and overtime pay.

One item that keeps being overlooked are school board trustees. As Mike Harris would testify, they are vital to how our public education system works, or doesn't work. The Ford bill has left TDSB has been even more disrupted than Council, with some of the new school districts having two and three times as many schools for trustees to deal with than others. Federal election districts have nothing to do with 'schools districts'. City Wards did.

But if all you care about is saving a few pay-cheques (as long as your own and your buddies' are safe) and you don't give a rat's ass for the people, it can all be done.

Butler1000 said:

Leaked memo from legal eagles to council says they basically don't have a chance in court.

And the chief elections officer says they can run an election without difficulty.

So any delay on Councils part will only hinder the electoral process. Hopefully they realize it's a no win and move on.

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Hopefully they protest this and stop this attack on Toronto.
If it stalls any elections it will all be on Drug Ford.

Boober69 said:

Can't be built fast enough! Don't you agree?

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I'd prefer the money be spent on a subway line that is actually needed such as the downtown relief line instead of a very expensive stop to nowhere.

Boober69 said:

...

And I would take a "crackhead" saving me money rather than a leftist tax & spend thief any day.

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I don't know about you but under the 'crackhead' my property taxes kept going up.

Butler1000 said:

...
And the chief elections officer says they can run an election without difficulty. ....

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A bit of a stretch. What they actually said was the could manage. I don't believe that anywhere did they say it wasn't difficult.

basketcase said:

I don't know about you but under the 'crackhead' my property taxes kept going up.

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Taxes were frozen in 2011, 2.5% in 2012 and 2% in 2013...rate of inflation...less than under the Miller years.

basketcase said:

I'd prefer the money be spent on a subway line that is actually needed such as the downtown relief line instead of a very expensive stop to nowhere.

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It's not a stop to nowhere...goes to STC...major city centre.

Frankfooter said:

Hopefully they protest this and stop this attack on Toronto.
If it stalls any elections it will all be on Drug Ford.

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Fortunately the protest will fizzle away and the majority of people in Toronto who voted in a new government will be able to once again have a city focused on growth through a new and improved size of local government.

I guarantee that after the election Toronto will be able to govern itself just fine with the reduced bodies on council.

Boober69 said:

2.5% in 2012 and 2% in 2013

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Thanks for confirming that Rob Ford raised our taxes.

Ref said:

Fortunately the protest will fizzle away and the majority of people in Toronto who voted in a new government will be able to once again have a city focused on growth through a new and improved size of local government.

I guarantee that after the election Toronto will be able to govern itself just fine with the reduced bodies on council.

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Have you ever tried to contact your city councillor for an issue?

Frankfooter said:

Have you ever tried to contact your city councillor for an issue?

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Why would you need to except for an extremely important issue?

I use 311 when neccessary. Works fine. Usually resolves any issues. And there is a healthy bureaucracy for just about everything. That's how the city runs.

Butler1000 said:

Why would you need to except for an extremely important issue?

I use 311 when neccessary. Works fine. Usually resolves any issues. And there is a healthy bureaucracy for just about everything. That's how the city runs.

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Because the oh-so-functional Fords (Mayor and Councillor both) repeatedly said that's just what you're supposed to do. And constantly repeated that what made the difference between a good Councillor/Mayor and a bad one was the significant amount of time and effort the good one put into personally returning your call, and seeing that your problem was solved.

Personally I would disgree, and prefer competent professionals running things efficiently so I have no issues or need to complain. But in a revenue-starved City like ours where there's never the funding or staffing to keep up, let alone make progress I can see the logic in their vision. Of course it was never true, and Doogie's latest law has made it even less realistic

I certainly believe that view is entirely self-defeating and ultimately destructive to the City, and cannot understand why anyone even listens to it, never mind believes it for a moment, but some clearly do.

Butler1000 said:

Why would you need to except for an extremely important issue?

I use 311 when neccessary. Works fine. Usually resolves any issues. And there is a healthy bureaucracy for just about everything. That's how the city runs.

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I have, for parking issues, zoning, signage, etc.
They are busy, if they have to represent twice as many people its way less likely that you'll get through to them.
Less representation on the only level of government that is responsive.

Frankfooter said:

I have, for parking issues, zoning, signage, etc.
They are busy, if they have to represent twice as many people its way less likely that you'll get through to them.
Less representation on the only level of government that is responsive.

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You were contacting the wrong person. There is a process for everything you listed and none need the hand of a councillor.

oldjones said:

Because the oh-so-functional Fords (Mayor and Councillor both) repeatedly said that's just what you're supposed to do. And constantly repeated that what made the difference between a good Councillor/Mayor and a bad one was the significant amount of time and effort the good one put into personally returning your call, and seeing that your problem was solved.

Personally I would disgree, and prefer competent professionals running things efficiently so I have no issues or need to complain. But in a revenue-starved City like ours where there's never the funding or staffing to keep up, let alone make progress I can see the logic in their vision. Of course it was never true, and Doogie's latest law has made it even less realistic

I certainly believe that view is entirely self-defeating and ultimately destructive to the City, and cannot understand why anyone even listens to it, never mind believes it for a moment, but some clearly do.

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My point stands.

Boober69 said:

Taxes were frozen in 2011, 2.5% in 2012 and 2% in 2013...rate of inflation...less than under the Miller years.

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Actually above inflation. But I guess you think tax hikes are fine as long as they are from a right wing politician who campaigned on cutting taxes.

Boober69 said:

It's not a stop to nowhere...goes to STC...major city centre.

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It's a stop to nowhere that even the planners stated that it won't reach anywhere near capacity for decades. Meanwhile on the downtown lines, people often have to wait for several trains to pass for room to get on.

Just like the buck a beer thing, a waste of money when there are actually important things that need being done.