Council’s ranked-ballot vote panned
Re A shameful flip-flop, Editorial, Oct. 6
Who gave Toronto city councillors the misguided notion that their self-interests are more important than the democratic rights of those they are supposed to serve? The fact that close to 60 per cent of councillors present voted against “giving the majority more choice” is evidence of the degree of entitlement among councillors and one root cause of council’s disintegration.
Perhaps we should hold a referendum on this issue to ensure that citizens have their say on the matter. Time for a change.
Ken Ainsworth, Toronto
The vitriolic accusations made against the opponents of ranked ballot voting are false and unwarranted. Councillor Justin Di Ciano’s motion directs that if the province permits municipalities to adopt ranked-ballot voting that a referendum be held so that everyone gets a chance to decide whether to change the process by which we elect our members of city council. This is more democratic than having a small group of people cloistered in their ivory towers telling everyone else how something should be done.
The only “shameful” thing is the failure of ranked-ballot proponents to provide all of the facts about Di Ciano’s motion. Stephen Thiele, president, The Toronto Party Your editorial rightly calls this second vote on the ranked ballot a flip-flop and shameful. These are certainly accurate descriptions. But here’s another, equally accurate one: council has reneged. This move by council is self-serving and antidemocratic.
I would ask the Star to publish the names of council members who voted to support this disgrace, as well as giving us the names of those opposed to it, so that we as voters may tuck this information away for future reference.
There’s another aspect to this renegevote that strikes me: are those who supported it so unsure of themselves that they don’t believe they could win a fair and democratic vote?
Steve Soloman, Toronto
Cowards. George Higton, Toronto