Smitherman resigns from Ont. cabinet

[moviefan]

Here's the statement from McGuinty:

Statement By Premier McGuinty Regarding George Smitherman

November 8, 2009

"Today my colleague George Smitherman informed me he would be resigning his posts as Deputy Premier and Minister for Energy and Infrastructure in order to run for the Mayoralty of Toronto. He will be staying on as the MPP for Toronto Centre for a short time while he finishes several projects in his community.

I want to thank George for his tireless efforts on behalf of Ontarians, his constituents and our government. Since he was first elected to the Provincial Legislature in 1999, George has helped make Ontario a better and stronger place.

As Health Minister, he helped reduce wait times and hire more doctors and nurses. Hospitals, emergency rooms and long-term care around the province saw tremendous progress under his leadership. The Fraser Institute recently reported that Ontario now has the shortest wait times for surgery in Canada.

As Minister of Energy and Infrastructure, George spearheaded Ontario's Green Energy Act, which will help to create 50,000 Ontario jobs while fighting the effects of climate change. And he has worked tirelessly to turn our economic stimulus plan into construction jobs for Ontario workers in every part of our province.

And as an MPP, George has consistently stood up for the underdog, championed the rights and the needs of his constituents and used his considerable gifts and talents serving the people of his community.

That's the key to George. For him, public service is never about him -- it's always been about the people he serves. It's all about their health care, their energy, their jobs and their futures.

I'm proud to have served with George, and prouder still to call him my good friend.

I wish George and Christopher all the best as they start this latest chapter in their lives, together -- and thank each of them for all they've done to make Ontario the greatest province in the best country in the world."

 

[train]

This guy has been a bit of a scew-up hasn't he ? It looks like Toronto has a great choice in the next election between Tory and Smitherman.

 

[TGirl Nikki]

I couldn't be happier - between Smitherman and Tory, we'll finally have a Mayor who can actually handle our ridiculous City Council. Miller was a pushover, and couldn't stand up to anyone, but both Tory and Smitherman are strong leaders who can finally tell those idoit Councillors to shut the f*ck up!

Insane property taxes and additional car registry taxes were bad enough, and now these morons think that a TST (Toronto Sales Tax) is the solution to our horrible fiscal policies... it's as if they're begging people to move to Mississauga!

Time to sick the Attack Dog on City Council, and finally bring our city back to fiscal responsibility!

/rant

 

[Brill]

An attack dog would be a poor mayor, he's only one vote so he needs to build a consensus to get a majority on his side.
An attack dog might be a good budget chief, but Smitherman proved he can't handle eHealth so I'd rather see him elsewhere.
I hate to say Tory might be the best guy, Bussin was right about him being a three time loser.

 

[landscaper]

I couldn't be happier - between Smitherman and Tory, we'll finally have a Mayor who can actually handle our ridiculous City Council. Miller was a pushover, and couldn't stand up to anyone, but both Tory and Smitherman are strong leaders who can finally tell those idoit Councillors to shut the f*ck up!

Insane property taxes and additional car registry taxes were bad enough, and now these morons think that a TST (Toronto Sales Tax) is the solution to our horrible fiscal policies... it's as if they're begging people to move to Mississauga!

Time to sick the Attack Dog on City Council, and finally bring our city back to fiscal responsibility!

/rant

You are under the imppression that George Smitherman will cut spending and Taxes?

Now about that bridge I have for sale

George Smitherman never met somebody elses wallet he did not immediatly have a better use for.

He was the minister in charge of the Health when it had its little scandal. A quick billion to his consultants, he was in charge of energy up till now, he is largly responsible for the increase thats coming next spring to your hydro bills.

The man is an unapologetic socialist who really wants you to send him all your money na dhe will give you back what he thinks you need. He fits right in with teh current provincial govt as well as city council.

Hizz Worshipppp Mayor millar was never a pushover for city council he loaded the important positions and committees awith his friends a suppoorters so that they consistantly approved his agenda, that is one of the reasons the city has a 500,000,000.00 deficiet coming due next budget cycle, and guess what , the province can not bail them out this time, they have already emptied the reserve funds for their pet projects and the piper is coming up for payment , hang on to your wallet

 

[chiller_boy]

I don't think George can win. His time at E health will haunt him, as it should.

 

[Brill]

The man is an unapologetic socialist who really wants you to send him all your money na dhe will give you back what he thinks you need. He fits right in with teh current provincial govt as well as city council.

I don't get the impression he's a socialist at all.
From Jim Coyle's column in the Star today, he quotes a Liberal saying "take away the gay and he's a centre-right guy who likes to throw his weight around."
That seems accurate to me.

 

[landscaper]

He has his little red book available at need. The fact he is a bully has been obvious for years just ask him the last time he was wrong.

would fit into the political spectrum between millar and Tory leaning millars way

As far as Jim Coyle goes anybody to the right of Mao is center right

 

[Brill]

Bullies know no barriers in ideology.
For instance, Rob Ford isn't a socialist because he's a bully.

I'd consider Smitherman and Tory in the same part of the political spectrum, that means there's room for someone on their left or right to sneak in like Miller did on his first try when Tory and Barbara Hall were his opponents.

 

[landscaper]

Rob Ford is not really a bully he is to stupid to recognize a wall when he runs his head into it.

 

[great bear]

Rob Ford is not really a bully he is to stupid to recognize a wall when he runs his head into it.

Classic!

 

[Berlin]

Smitherman ..... Ha !

 

[Damondean]

John Tory has no judgment or political instincts. Religous schools? How smart did you have to be to know that was not going to fly?

He is a UCC boy who was in charge of raising rates at Rogers cable. He is not a politician. Not a leader either.

Smitherman is an ass kicker. That is what the city bueraucracy needs.

 

[shakenbake]

Hey Georgie, Boy;

On yer way out, don't let the door knob hit ya where the Good Lord split ya.

 

[FOOTSNIFFER]

He has his little red book available at need. The fact he is a bully has been obvious for years just ask him the last time he was wrong.

would fit into the political spectrum between millar and Tory leaning millars way

As far as Jim Coyle goes anybody to the right of Mao is center right

But I thought canadians like bullies, both in the boardroom and the legislature. After all, isn't hockey, the quintessential bullying sport, the template for canadian society; unrefined, coarse, and raw?
I wouldn't vote for him because he's just not specific enough on what he hopes to accomplish as mayor. I don't sign blank cheques.

 

[Never Compromised]

Smitherman is far to the left of where Tory is. Suggesting that they are the same or in a similar political spectrum is not accurate.

Suggesting that Tory is simply a loser with no political horse sense is wildly inaccurate. While he has certainly made some very public goofs, he has run many successful campaigns and has been a valued advisor to both premiers and prime ministers.

The education issue was adopted by all the leadership candidates during that PC leadership race, and was endorsed and adopted by the PC Party. While you may rightfully criticize how Tory marketed and tried to sell the policy, to suggest that he was the sole author is misleading.

Tory is not a perfect individual, but he certainly has the capability of being a successful Toronto mayor.

 

[landscaper]

But I thought canadians like bullies, both in the boardroom and the legislature. After all, isn't hockey, the quintessential bullying sport, the template for canadian society; unrefined, coarse, and raw?
I wouldn't vote for him because he's just not specific enough on what he hopes to accomplish as mayor. I don't sign blank cheques.

Being a bully is all well and good if you can get away with it look at Jean Chretien, unfortunatly for Smitherman he won't be able to get away with it on city council, the rule differences between parliment and council alone will stop him, noteably the fact that in parlimentary chambers you can not be sued for what ever you say. That protection does not exist in city council chambers.

The fact that he was the minister in charge of e-health for most of its ill facted spending will not sit well with toronto voters who had the city computer fiasco to pay for.

The final point will be that he is percieved as a "downtown" type of person. The subburbs are sick and tired of the downtown center waging the dog.

 

[FOOTSNIFFER]

Being a bully is all well and good if you can get away with it look at Jean Chretien, unfortunatly for Smitherman he won't be able to get away with it on city council, the rule differences between parliment and council alone will stop him, noteably the fact that in parlimentary chambers you can not be sued for what ever you say. That protection does not exist in city council chambers.

The fact that he was the minister in charge of e-health for most of its ill facted spending will not sit well with toronto voters who had the city computer fiasco to pay for.

The final point will be that he is percieved as a "downtown" type of person. The subburbs are sick and tired of the downtown center waging the dog.

Well, apparently he's attempting to sell himself as a suburban candidate hailing from Weston and Etobicoke, where he was raised. I really hope you're right about Torontonians connecting him to the eHealth scandal...nothing would focus the minds of all politicians than if one of their own had the political futures derailed by a perception of incompetent management of the taxpayers' money.

 

[landscaper]

Well, apparently he's attempting to sell himself as a suburban candidate hailing from Weston and Etobicoke, where he was raised. I really hope you're right about Torontonians connecting him to the eHealth scandal...nothing would focus the minds of all politicians than if one of their own had the political futures derailed by a perception of incompetent management of the taxpayers' money.

I wish it was just one of their own they seem to have no limit on the number of screw ups