TORONTO – More than half of Toronto’s City Council has signed a letter urging Premier Doug Ford and Ontario Minister of Municipal Affairs Steve Clark to reconsider the “infamous” Bill 39 which gives John Tory “powers special” to speed up the construction of new housing: in particular, the “super-mayor” can govern with a third of the votes instead of a majority. A slap to democracy, according to the 15 councilors who signed the document. (more…)
TORONTO – An absolute “first” for Super-Tory, today, in the City Council for the assembly that inaugurated the new mandate after the last municipal elections. John Tory once again occupies the Mayor’s seat, but this time with the new powers assigned to him by legislation wanted by the provincial government to speed up the construction of new houses. (more…)
TORONTO – As the longest-serving Italian politician, Giulio Andreotti, used to say, “power wears out those who don’t have it”. Who knows if the aphorism is also valid for the former mayors of Toronto – including David Crombie, Art Eggleton, John Sewell, Barbara Hall and David Miller – who wrote a letter to mayor John Tory asking him to “reject” the provincial law that will give him more powers, in particular that of passing laws with only the support of the minority. An at least curious request, that of asking a politician to give up having more power. Especially if it comes from other politicians who have held that same position. But let’s go in order. (more…)
TORONTO – The Ontario government’s legislative activity continues aimed at making the priority of the Province more easily implemented: to build 1.5 million new homes over the next 10 years. (more…)
TORONTO – The mayor? Better if he’s a “sheriff”, according to Ontario Premier Doug Ford, who is considering new legislation that would give to the mayors of Toronto and Ottawa new powers and a potential veto on the city council, according to reports earlier by the Toronto Star and then from Global News. The Ford government is therefore working on legislation that should grant greater powers to mayors, as well as allow them to address the issue of housing accessibility with more room for maneuver. (more…)