Councillors studying options
Mike Layton represents Ward 19 Trinity-Spadina on council.
In the aftermath of Premier Doug Ford’s announcement that he will use the notwithstanding clause to push through his plan to cut the size of Toronto city council, many left-leaning incumbents in the downtown core are quickly making the decision on where to run.
For Mike Layton, that’s University-Rosedale.
“After discussions with members of the community and much personal reflection, I have decided that if Ford is successful, and we are forced to run in a 25-seat race, I will be running to represent the ward of University-Rosedale,” Layton wrote in a statement Friday.
In an interview with the Star, Layton, who currently repre- sents Ward 19 Trinity-Spadina, said that despite his decision on where to run in the event the notwithstanding clause is passed, the fight continues to maintain the 47-ward model.
“We’re going to fight for 47 until the last moment we can,” he said. “We’re going to use every effort we can to stop this unfair and unprecedented intervention and rigging of the election that Mr. Ford is trying to do.”
He added: “It’s beyond disturbing the premier would take this route.”
Layton said voters are “going to need to elect progressive city councillors across the city no matter if it’s 47 or 25 wards.”
University-Rosedale represents, in part, the northern area of Layton’s current electoral district. Major parts of the larger ward include the University of Toronto, Christie Pits, Little Italy and Yorkville.
In response to Ford calling him a “crony” and a friend of Ontario NDP Leader Andrea Horwath on Wednesday, Layton said, “(I’m) not sure really what he means by it ... There is no denying she’s a friend. I like the hard work she’s put in to being a public servant for so many years.”
Layton added: “It’s not really customary for a premier to be bringing up the names of local city councillors so frequently in debate.”
The controversial Bill 31, which passed first reading on Wednesday, has led some councillors to express their frustrations with Ford. It’s also led some, who had not yet announced in which wards they would run under the 25-ward scenario, to do that last week.
Joe Cressy, councillor for Ward 20 Trinity-Spadina, said Friday he will be running in Spadina-Fort York, which includes the southern area of his current ward.
In a statement, Cressy criticized Ford’s plan to cut the size of council and his decision to continue with the notwithstanding clause.
“This uncertainty created by Doug Ford forces us to prepare for both scenarios,” he said. “In a 25-ward scenario, I remain committed to running for city council in Ward 10, SpadinaFort York — to stand up for our downtown communities, our city and our shared vision for a more livable Toronto for all.”
Councillor Kristyn Wong-Tam of Ward 27 Toronto Centre-Rosedale will run in the neighbouring Toronto Centre, Layton said on Twitter.
Sarah Doucette, who represents Ward 13 Parkdale-High Park, said Wednesday that she will not run for re-election under the 25-ward system. This means she won’t compete with fellow councillor Gord Perks for the expanded Ward 18.
“As we move toward the 25ward system, I am sad to think that the hands-on community activity must be replaced,” she said, “as councillors’ roles will have to focus primarily on citywide issues, with the day-to-day operations being left to staff.”
The legislature met on Saturday for a rare session in an attempt by the government to ensure enough hours of debate so Bill 31 can pass.
Attorney General Caroline Mulroney is expected Tuesday to ask the Ontario Court of Appeal for a stay in the earlier decision to strike down the bill’s previous version, which was ruled unconstitutional. If the court grants the stay, Bill 31 will be unnecessary.