Toronto has been democratically governed even before Canada was created in 1867.But at Confederation, provinces were allocated absolute power over municipalities. Cities were given no powers or authorities of their own.
In 1867, 80 per cent of Canadians lived in rural areas. At that time, powerful provinces were needed to unite the large, sparsely populated countryside, to pool resources and to provide good government. Cities were an afterthought. |
These arrangements are antique and inadequate to the demands placed on cities in the 21st century.
Today, 80 per cent of Canadians live in cities. 1 in 10 lives in Toronto. 1 in 5 lives in the GTA. Toronto's three million residents elect the sixth-largest government in the country, yet have far less power over their own affairs than the 150,000 people of Prince Edward Island.
Today, 80 per cent of Canadians live in cities. 1 in 10 lives in Toronto. 1 in 5 lives in the GTA. Toronto's three million residents elect the sixth-largest government in the country, yet have far less power over their own affairs than the 150,000 people of Prince Edward Island.
Canada's cities are mature levels of government in their own right, capable of handling the full range of municipal responsibilities, given the resources and the authority to do so. For most of our shared history, despite the inherent power imbalance, the province has supported cities as a close partner and ally. It recognized that Toronto's success meant success for the province and the country. But since the late 20th century, provinces have sought instead to impose their will on cities. In 1998, Ontario forced the amalgamation of Toronto's six municipalities into a mega-city over the objections of the city government and citizens in a referendum. This has been recognized by most as a major mistake for which the city is still paying. Over many years, the province has downloaded responsibilities to the city without adequate revenue sources, leaving the city dependent on the province for handouts in order to pay its day-to-day bills. |
"Cities are the constitutional orphans of Canada."
--Michael Mendelson
Senior Scholar, Caledon Institute of Social Policy, 2000
In 2017, the city was made more dependent on and more vulnerable to the province when it vetoed the city's decision to toll inner-city expressways in order to raise money for transit.
In 2018, the province vaporized half of City Council in the middle of an election and took away the city's ability to design its own forms of governance. It threatened to rescind Torontonians' rights under the Canadian Constitution in order to do achieve the cuts. The city, powerless under the Canadian constitution, could do nothing to stop it.
In 2018, the province vaporized half of City Council in the middle of an election and took away the city's ability to design its own forms of governance. It threatened to rescind Torontonians' rights under the Canadian Constitution in order to do achieve the cuts. The city, powerless under the Canadian constitution, could do nothing to stop it.
In 2019, the province took control of decision-making over Toronto's local transit projects. It threw out two critical urban plans for the city's downtown and midtown, wasting years of work and consultations with city residents. It rescinded the city's power to get property developers to pay for community infrastructure and benefits such as parks, libraries and child care spaces from property developers. All of these provincial actions, and others, have left the city poorer and less able to run its own affairs. A city can't succeed when its decisions are continually subject to arbitrary provincial override. Or when provincial plans are foisted upon the city without consultation or notice. Or when the city is perpetually denied the ability to raise the funds it needs. |
By giving the city more control over its own affairs through a City Charter, and by giving the city a veto over any changes to the Charter, unilateral provincial interference would be made much more difficult, if not impossible. A more even playing field will help return Toronto and Ontario to a relationship of co-operation and partnership.
BENEFITS OF A CITY CHARTER
An Empowered, Democratic City• Strong local decision-making will put our future in the city's hands. Decision-makers will be directly accountable to city voters, not voters from across the province.
• The city will be free to innovate and find creative solutions to city issues, including congestion, density, affordability, livability and sustainability--without unnecessary provincial permissions or fear of a provincial veto. • The city will be free to consider new and innovative forms of government that can bolster public participation and decisions that reflect the diversity of the city, local values and urban aspirations. |
• Stable, predictable, city-controlled, multi-year revenues will provide sufficient funds to pay for necessary programs and services and ensure that growth pays for growth.
• A constitutionally protected City Charter outlining the city’s authority, governance and taxation powers, amendable only with city consent, will give the city status, stability and protection.
• Establishing clear jurisdictions and roles for both the city and the province in municipal affairs will streamline decision-making and reduce duplication, unnecessary oversight and friction between governments.
• A City Charter will clear the decks for co-operation on matters of truly mutual interest.
• A constitutionally protected City Charter outlining the city’s authority, governance and taxation powers, amendable only with city consent, will give the city status, stability and protection.
• Establishing clear jurisdictions and roles for both the city and the province in municipal affairs will streamline decision-making and reduce duplication, unnecessary oversight and friction between governments.
• A City Charter will clear the decks for co-operation on matters of truly mutual interest.
The FutureThe people of Toronto have the brains, talent, ambition and love for the city to successfully run their own affairs.
We are a diverse, wealthy, fast-growing city that strives to be confident, inclusive, innovative, modern and forward-looking. Toronto is a global city that competes internationally in such fields as culture, finance, sports, health sciences, manufacturing and technology. |
Our quality of life is among the highest in the world. In study after study, Toronto has been ranked among the top 10 global cities for safety, livability, cost of living, business environment, democracy, and food security.
On a planet of increasing global mobility, Toronto is among the best at attracting the sophisticated, educated and innovative talent from around the world.
Each year, the Greater Toronto Area welcomes and settles more than 100,000 newcomers--refugees and immigrants alike-- from other parts of the world seeking a better life.
Toronto is an economic driver of Canada, contributing one-tenth of Canada's GDP every year--about $200 billion.
City taxpayers also contribute billions more tax dollars a year to the province than come back in contributions to the city’s budget. It's estimated that in Canada, cities typically keep a mere 10 per cent of the taxes paid by city residents. The rest goes to senior levels of government. Contributions from those levels of government often come with strings attached that do not allow the city to do what it thinks is best. Toronto--and other large Ontario cities--need new arrangements in order to succeed: • clear jurisdiction and authority over city affairs • control of revenues sufficient to meet the city's needs • constitutional protection from provincial interference. |
CHARTER CITY PROPOSAL IN DETAIL
chartercitytoronto@gmail.com