Opinion: Following John Tory’s resignation as mayor, everything is in flux. This may prove to be a beneficial reset opportunity for Toronto. How the city is governed, how it is financed, and what policies it adopts all require urgent reassessment.
All bets are now off in Toronto city politics. Following John Tory’s bombshell resignation as mayor, everything is in flux. Previously regarded givens have melted into uncertainty.
On issues of governance, Tory made no reference during the campaign to the “strong mayor” power he had requested and received from Premier Doug Ford, empowering him to govern with onlysupport from council. Toronto’s mayor is now deemed to win votes on council with as little as one-third support from all members.
The outcome could leave “strong mayor” powers in hands unanticipated by Ford, or even abandoned. Given the composition of the still-new Toronto council — more diverse and community connected than ever — it would be best if Toronto’s next elected mayor allowed the council collectively to decide the city’s way forward. As it always had, in governing and guiding this dynamic city.
It will come before council for deliberation this week. Expectations were that despite widespread criticism for misplaced priorities, it would pass because of Tory’s new powers and personal sway over council. With his departure, the proposed budget now needs full scrutiny and modification. More broadly on policy matters, the city has felt adrift for some time. Little action on issues large and small. Overflowing public garbage cans are more unsightly than ever, park washrooms locked shut more often than open, delay on delay in transit building, housing less affordable than ever, and the homeless with fewer options for winter warmth.
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