1,400 hear about greater autonomy, new financial deal for Toronto and other Ontario cities
CAPACITY CROWD FOR CHARTER CITIES
Josh Matlow's "Empower Toronto" panel discussion on Charter Cities (June 18) had to upsize venues twice to accommodate the crowd of 1,400 people interested in hearing about greater autonomy, sensible funding models and constitutional protection for Toronto and other Ontario cities.
Hosted by Steve Paikin of TVO's The Agenda, the meeting was the biggest in the short history of the nascent Charter City movement in Toronto, which has picked up steam over the Doug Ford Conservative government's first year in power.
City Councillor Josh Matlow, who set up the meeting, told the crowd that Toronto should use its "frustration and anger" to move the city forward--from a "creature of the province...to a more autonomous, empowered city".
A Charter City is defined by special, constitutionally-protected, provincial legislation that gives the city greater autonomy and more jurisdiction over more civic affairs, including city revenue.
A Charter City is defined by special, constitutionally-protected, provincial legislation that gives the city greater autonomy and more jurisdiction over more civic affairs, including city revenue.
The panel answered questions from Paikin and questions submitted by people at the meeting, ranging from "Why doesn't Toronto become the 11th province?" to "what happens if a future Rob Ford gets his hands on a more powerful Charter City?"
(Answers: Provincehood for Toronto would require the approval of 7 provinces and the federal government, almost impossible to achieve and there is little public support. As for a future Rob Ford, hopefully, an empowered city that can get things done will attract a higher caliber of politician and bureaucrat alike.)
(Answers: Provincehood for Toronto would require the approval of 7 provinces and the federal government, almost impossible to achieve and there is little public support. As for a future Rob Ford, hopefully, an empowered city that can get things done will attract a higher caliber of politician and bureaucrat alike.)
The panellists generally agreed that, in the words of former Toronto Mayor and Charter City Toronto member
John Sewell, "Toronto does not need the oversight of the people of Orillia." There was also general agreement that as Ryerson University's Cherise Burda put it: when it comes to power-sharing and decision-making, "Toronto is sitting at the kid's table." Former city councillor and former Toronto MPP John Parker (who admitted in good humour he had thought about Charter Cities for less than 3 seconds before being on the panel) was the most skeptical. He pointed out the city of Toronto has powers of taxation it doesn't use now, so will have to justify an ask for more power. He also stressed that autonomy or no, Toronto is part of the province and can't operate in total isolation. And, he said, a City Charter has to solve problems, it can't just be 'we need money". Several times, the enthusiastic audience applauded calls for more autonomy and protection from provincial interference in city affairs. One audience member, though, questioned whether the city can be trusted with more power as there is the perception that it's not doing that great a job now. |
Sewell admitted the city had done "inspirational" as well as "bonkers" things, but pointed to provincial interference and override as often getting in the way of getting things done. Given clear jurisdiction and the necessary resources, Sewell said, the city can run its own affairs. There were also questions about whether taxes will need to be raised to cover the city's chronic shortfall of funds, especially if it takes on new responsibilities--and whether that in turn would cause people to leave the city. “I’m more fearful that people are going to leave Toronto because of lack of services and lack of funding,” Burda said. Nathalie des Rosiers, the Liberal MPP for Ottawa Vanier, backed the Charter City concept in general, but said proponents will face the burden of demonstrating that it will solve problems and result in a better city. Asked by Paikin if a Charter City isn't a non-starter--that the province will never give up power--Des Rosiers acknowledged there are big challenges. "Still, something that has popular support and answers a problem can take off," she said. Charter City Toronto's working group is currently drafting a detailed proposal for a City Charter and expects to make it public in the fall. |
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