Toronto City Council

Today on the Unpublished Cafe podcast: Is democracy under attack in Canada's largest city?   

Ontario's new government has turned upside down the upcoming Municipal Election in Toronto by announcing legislation to reduce the size of Toronto City Council from 47 this fall, to 25. As well, the Province is suspending the upcoming election of Regional Chairs in Peel, York and Muskoka riding (former OPC Leader Patrick Brown’s riding). Under the BNA Act of 1867, provinces have the power to make these changes.  Municipalities are creatures of the Province .

The Ontario gov't feels this move will save taxpayers about $25 million over four years although there is scant evidence to support that.  Abacus Data conducted a survey of Toronto residents and found almost seven in 10 think the idea should be scrapped or postponed until the next election. While there is little the federal government can do, there is a growing chorus of outrage about what is happening in Toronto.  


You can go to Unpublished dot vote to cast your ballot:  

Should Toronto City Council be reduced in size as the province has said it will do? (From 44 to 25) 




Yes    No

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Unpublished.cafe, UnpublishedOttawa.com, Unpublished.vote

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GUESTS

Adam Vaughan MP Spadina-Fort York. Parliamentary Secretary to PM on Intergovernmental Affairs

Duff Conacher., Co-Founder, Democracy Watch

Caroline Andrew, Director, Centre on Governance uOttawa

David Coletto CEO Abacus Data

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RESOURCES

http://abacusdata.ca/2-in-3-toronto-residents-think-ford-government-should-postpone-council-size-cut-until-after-the-election-or-scrap-plan-entirely/

https://calgaryherald.com/news/local-news/unconscionable-nenshi-slams-ford-move-to-slash-size-of-toronto-city-council

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/will-doug-ford-s-plan-to-shrink-city-council-get-more-stuff-done-don-t-bet-on-it-1.4773764

https://www.fraserinstitute.org/blogs/toronto-city-council-reduction-a-distraction-from-greater-priorities

https://globalnews.ca/news/4373736/bill-kelly-reducing-the-size-of-a-citys-council-doesnt-save-money/

https://globalnews.ca/news/4356829/doug-ford-toronto-city-council-size/

https://nationalpost.com/opinion/christie-blatchford-cutting-toronto-city-council-down-to-size-is-a-much-needed-jolt-to-democracy

https://torontosun.com/news/local-news/levy-toronto-councillors-prove-why-they-need-their-walking-papers

https://torontosun.com/news/local-news/levy-doug-ford-expected-to-slash-unwieldy-toronto-council-in-half

https://www.thespec.com/opinion-story/8804459-should-doug-ford-cut-toronto-city-council-in-half-yes/

https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2018/08/02/what-a-reduced-council-could-mean-for-toronto.html

https://tvo.org/article/current-affairs/four-unanswered-questions-about-doug-fords-plan-to-shrink-toronto-city-council