Ford says foes of smaller Toronto council support ‘little fiefdoms’

TORONTO — Opponents of reducing the size of Toronto’s council only want to “protect a bunch of downtown politicians,” says Premier Doug Ford.

Ford, who is unilaterally reducing the number of councillors from 47 to 25 after the Oct. 22 municipal election, insisted that “we ran on reducing the size and cost of government.” A one-term city councillor and 2014 mayoral runner-up, he maintained Toronto city hall is “the most dysfunctional political arena in Canada.”

“Nothing gets done but wasting money and increasing taxes,” the premier told the legislature.

But NDP MPP Peter Tabuns, who was on city council for seven years, said in the House that Ford was off-base.

“As a former deputy mayor of Toronto, I can tell you the premier’s plot will not streamline decision-making. It will steamroll the residents of Toronto who deserve to have their voices heard,” said Tabuns (TorontoDanforth), whose party tabled a motion to try to derail the Tory efforts.

Ford lashed out at the New Democrat, noting his cuts would save $25 million over four years.

“I know the member from Toronto–Danforth wants to protect a bunch of downtown politicians. They create their little fiefdom to protect all his political cronies and they increase taxes,” he said. .

The premier left it to Municipal Affairs Minister Steve Clark to explain the rationale for cancelling democratic elections for regional chairs in Peel, York, Niagara, and Muskoka, which will not save any money because those posts will be filled by appointees.

“The Liberals imposed a piece of legislation on us that affected those four regions,” said Clark, referring to a 2016 bill that he supported while in opposition.

“All we’re doing in this proposed bill is pressing the pause button in terms of … Niagara and also Muskoka, Peel, and York,” he said.

NDP MPP Wayne Gates (Niagara Falls) said “the people of the Niagara region want to have a say in who will represent them for the next four years ... I’m not from downtown Toronto. The anti-democratic action of this government is disrespectful to the people of Niagara.”