Questions linger in the wake of Ford’s courtroom victory

There is irony or something like it in the fact that Doug Ford’s decision to cut Toronto city council in half will go ahead — thanks to a court ruling.

The same judicial system that Ford condemned when its wisdom went against his has ruled the original court decision was flawed, and set it aside. Most reasonable people will accept the finding whether they agree with it or not. Unlike Ford, who has demonstrated he will obey the law as long as he doesn’t personally disagree.

And that judicial system so disparaged by Ford and his conservative cronies? Guess where his government will turn in its attempt to stop Ottawa from imposing a carbon tax? Once again, the courts. Apparently Ford is happy to use them when it suits his purposes. No hypocrisy there.

For Torontonians who believe they should be able to at least have a voice in their own political destiny, the deal is done, at least for now. The municipal election will happen on schedule, but with 25 wards instead of 47. A lot of candidates who spent money and made plans based on the status quo will see those dashed. It’s unfortunate and undemocratic, but it’s legal.

The provincial position is that a smaller council will be more productive and efficient. That’s not the real reason for all this, but let’s go with it for the sake of argument.

If smaller is better, why just Toronto? If 25 is better than 47, wouldn’t it make sense that Hamilton’s 15 should be seven or eight? Should Kitchener’s 10 be five? What about Waterloo’s seven? Peterborough has but five wards, but has two councillors each. Too much? Burlington is served by a seven-member city council. Does it follow that three or four would be better? London has 15 wards. Wouldn’t six or seven be more efficient? Windsor has 10 wards. Five or six? And what’s with two levels of government in places like Niagara and Waterloo regions? Montreal has more than 65 councillors. Surely that’s far too big, although it’s probably safe since it’s not in Ford’s jurisdiction.

The point is, maybe smaller is better. Maybe not. We don’t know because there is no definitive evidence. A provincial initiative could investigate the efficiency and effectiveness of municipal government. It needn’t take a year or even six months. It could do the research, talk to citizens and make recommendations based on evidence.

Ford has said other municipalities don’t need to worry about being steamrolled like Toronto has been. But already one of his MPPs has said the size and makeup of Niagara’s local government has been mentioned. And Ford isn’t known for keeping his word — Basic Income Pilot participants can attest to that. So can we really trust that Ford won’t stop with remaking Toronto to suit his personal tastes?

Let’s face it, that’s what this is about. Ford reviles urban Toronto councillors because he thinks they tilt left. He likes suburban councillors because they tilt right. Guess which ones will be in the power seat in the smaller council?

Our suggestion for others who care about local democracy in Ontario: Don’t rest easy, and don’t take Ford at his word. He’s almost certainly not done yet.

Maybe a smaller council size is better. Maybe not. We don’t know because there is no definitive evidence. A provincial initiative could investigate the efficiency and effectiveness of municipal government.