Amalgamation a boon for Toronto
Re A megacity that works, Editorial July 11 I agree with your analysis of the Fraser Institute’s recent report.
Yes, by all accounts, the Montreal governance reversal back to de-amalgamation continues service delivery challenges. For Toronto the delivery of services have been rationalized and standardized as recognized in Ontario-wide performance metrics and benchmarking, which clearly indicates Toronto service costs are more than in line with all Ontario municipalities.
However, what has not been noted is the minimal infrastructure investment prior to amalgamation. Since amalgamation (to 2014), council approved a planned long-term investment program of more than $20 billion in infrastructure, and continues with a funded $30-billion 2015-24 capital plan that will finally bring infrastructure sustainability back to Toronto, importantly, while maintaining a strong AA plus credit rating.
More importantly, Toronto is a leader relative to efficient delivery of service and high service levels relative to large more comparative North American and large world cities.
As a result, Toronto and the GTA has skyrocketed in the past 10 to 15 years from the top 30 to the top five to 10 in virtually all world city rankings — be it business investment, tax levels, liveability, social benefits or cultural categories. Without the amalgamated city governance structure, these world rankings and enhanced liveability across the new city would not have been possible.
This has been accomplished in Toronto primarily due to the governance changes related to amalgamation and the provincially established City of Toronto Act — the framework that recognized the “City” as an equal partner in the delivery of public services to our common residents and taxpayers.
With this Toronto governance model, which can be further refined to meet community/neighbourhood needs, the foundation is set for moving us forward in meeting major challenges to compete with other large global cities.
I agree that the challenges of global competition can only be met in partnership with our GTA municipalities and the provincial and federal governments to compete globally. Joe Pennachetti, former city manager, Toronto