John Tory plans to propose referendum on city council size
Posted Jul 27, 2018 8:42 am EST
Last Updated Jul 27, 2018 at 11:39 am EST
Toronto Mayor John Tory says he is planning to propose a referendum, asking Torontonians if they want the size of city council to be cut.
This move comes amid Premier Doug Ford's plan to reduce the size of city council to 25 seats from 47.
"It is my job to stand up for the City of Toronto … protect democracy that binds our society," Tory told reporters at City Hall on Friday.
"When elections are meddled with, people, regardless of their political stripe, are rightly angry."
Tory said this process of altering the size of council should be put to the people, which is why he plans to move a motion to instruct city clerks to hold a referendum. The question be would be simple, he said: "Do you support reducing the size of council from 47 to 25?"
The mayor said the question could either be posed on the Oct. 22 election ballot or at another time.
"What I can't support is change being rammed down our throats without a single second of public consultation," Tory said, adding that this a "gigantic decision" that affects the city and its residents.
"Don't they deserve a say in how they are governed?," he asked.
Tory also wants to move a motion asking lawyers inside and outside government to weigh in on the legality of this change.
"First thing I want to do is to get a legal opinion … as to what exactly our legal position is," he said.
Tory said when he heard the news about this, he then spoke to Ford and had a lengthy and animated discussion with him.
The mayor that while he is willing to have the discussion about altering the size of council, he takes issue with the way this is being done.
This latest move by Ford comes on the deadline day for candidates to register for the municipal election.
"You don't change the rules in the middle of the game," Tory said, adding that change of this magnitude should always take place with consultation.
city council | Doug Ford | John Tory | toronto
No injuries reported in suspected drive-by shooting in Mississauga Jan 29, 2020, 5:56 AM Closing arguments begin in Dafonte Miller assault trial of Toronto cop, brother Jan 29, 2020, 5:16 AM 4 suspects arrested in Etobicoke for alleged robberies across the GTA Jan 28, 2020, 10:17 PM
Raptors' Kyle Lowry becomes franchise's all-time assists leader Jan 28, 2020, 10:01 PM OPP officer struck on collision scene along Highway 6 near Hamilton Jan 28, 2020, 8:24 PM Elementary teachers, province to return to bargaining table on Wednesday Jan 28, 2020, 6:03 PM
Everything we know now about the Boeing 737 Max disaster Jan 29, 2020, 5:07 AM Trump's peace plan and Canadians quarantined in China; In The News for Jan. 29 Jan 29, 2020, 4:15 AM Trump to sign new USMCA bill into law, clearing way for Commons debate Jan 29, 2020, 4:00 AM
Solemn events to mark 3rd anniversary of Quebec mosque shooting Jan 29, 2020, 4:00 AM As 132 reported dead from virus outbreak, international sporting events postponed Jan 29, 2020, 4:00 AM Investigation ordered into parolee accused of killing woman in Quebec City Jan 27, 2020, 4:49 PM
Sarcastic Player Profile: Sam GagnerToday at 7:52 AMCraig Conroy discusses the Battle of Alberta and loss to the BluesToday at 7:49 AMBattle of Alberta: What would an Oilers-Flames playoff series look like?Today at 7:44 AMAP source: Browns part ways with VP of personnel HighsmithToday at 7:42 AMVikings Hall of Famer Chris Doleman dies at age 58Today at 7:38 AM
'Minari,' a Korean immigrant drama, breaks out at Sundance Jan 29, 2020, 10:23 AM Bob Shane, founding member of Kingston Trio, dead at 85 Jan 29, 2020, 10:22 AM Pastor's fight against KKK becomes movie that may aid battle Jan 29, 2020, 10:19 AM Berlin film fest to zoom in on inner turmoil, outer chaos Jan 29, 2020, 10:18 AM Diddy calls out Grammys and demands change in fiery speech Jan 26, 2020, 11:45 AM