Arguing legal challenge to council cuts

Re City to fight Ford’s cuts in court, August 21 The fight between city hall and Premier Ford is nothing but a power struggle. Who gets to tell whom what to do?

In reality, it’s no contest. The province will win. The province has full legal authority over the cities of the province. The cities have no authority at all.

Rather than fight the change, why is Toronto not seeing this as a great opportunity to establish a new and more effective government in the city?

The biggest part of a councillor’s job is to be an interface between the city and their electors. Need help getting a permit? Contact your councillor. Need an official to cut a ribbon at a local park? Invite your councillor. And so it goes. That poses the question — are the councillors there to facilitate electors’ access to city services, or are they there to govern their city? Fortyseven councillors can do the former, while 47 individuals are highly unlikely to be successful at the latter.

A council of 25 can be much more effective as a governing body. Put that council in place and then develop a solution to help the citizens of Toronto access city services effectively. David Kister, Toronto There is need for discussion, debate and consultation with regard to shrinking Toronto’s city council from 47 seats to 25.

To unilaterally force through such legislation in the middle of a municipal election violates the very spirit of self- government and democracy. It was ill-conceived and draws a direct comparison to Donald Trump’s decision to withdraw security clearances from former highranking officials of the intelligence community.

It’s clear and simple retribution to those that both Trump and Ford consider political enemies.

It should be met with the most vigorous of legal challenges possible. Rob Cowan, Toronto Premier Ford has a majority government and is working in the best interests of all Ontario taxpayers. In this situation, he is exercising the power of his office within existing legislation.

To the 25 councillors who voted to take Premier Ford to court, I say: you have every right to challenge this decision. However, you do not have the right to challenge on my dime.

Let’s see how dedicated you are if you are required to use personal funds to mount this challenge. Jack Wilson, Barrie