MB Toronto
Morning Brew: Toronto is Canada's top-ranking sustainable city, next year's budget shortfall is a whopper, Doug Ford might run in provincial election, Raptors lose, and another subway closure this weekend
For the second year in a row, Toronto was named Canada's most sustainable large city by Corporate Knights Magazine. The Corporate Knights report, which combines information from Statistics Canada, Environment Canada and city departments, found Toronto did well on density, governance and civic engagement, the latter thanks in large part to higher-than-normal voter turnout at last year's election. But it fell short when it came to water consumption, green space and waste diversion -- though Toronto did get kudos for its Climate Action Plan and the city's green roof by-law, the first in North America.
And we thought this year's budget shortfall was a big deal.The National Post has learned Toronto faces a budget shortfall in excess of $500-million next year. Mayor Rob Ford is considering dramatic moves to end the annual structural deficit. "Anything that isn't nailed down we're going to privatize," Councillor Ford said Wednesday, which he explained as "anything that makes sense." Gosh, I hope he doesn't mean literally.
Speaking of Doug Ford, there are rumours that he'll make a run for the Etobicoke North riding in the upcoming provincial election. When asked if there was any truth to the speculation, he responded "Never say never." Should he leave, it'll mean that his brother would no longer benefit from his role as unofficial press secretary.
A revealing joint CBC News/Toronto Star investigation has discovered that the Canada Revenue Agency suspects many Canadians may have received hefty tax refunds or credits for disabilities they or their family members don't have. The news team also learned the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) believes some companies may be helping Canadians abuse the system and potentially pocket millions of dollars in commissions.
This week's EYE probes the recent photos taken of TTC employees by its customers and the YouTube footage taken at the G20, and asks: Is an army of camera-wielding citizen vigilantes really our best public service monitor?
IN BRIEF:
Discussion
29 Comments
Sort By Oldest First / Newest First
Subscribe
http://www.mikedelgrande.ca/news/levy_oct14_07.htm
What is wrong with job security? Everyone deserves more
The Fords are out of line and attacking the working man
Enough is Enough
Hmmmm....
Ford reality: We're gonna take yer working schlub union job!
Ford campaign: Stop the gravy train!
Ford reality: Next stop on the gravy train? Queen's Park.
Ford campaign: We're going to change the way things are done!
Ford reality: Well we really can't change much, but we're going to make a lot of blustery noise just to show you we tried.
Ford campaign: I'm always accessible. Customer service is job 1!
Ford reality: Here's my card, call me later. Better yet, talk to my big bro.
Miller screwed us for years. Unless of course you're a socialist, unemployed or a union member etc.
motherfucker is gagged up tight!
Some people have job security and some people do not. I've worked jobs on both sides and can tell you that in my experience, there were more lazy people working in my various unsecure retail jobs than working in my (relatively secure) office job. I have relatives and friends that work and have worked for government institutions, under unions and large corporations and they are some of the hardest working people I know. To label those workers as all being lazy is insulting.
Stuck in a low-paying job with little security? Feel free to tell yourself that those who get paid more than you don't deserve it. Collectively label them all lazy and incompetent and overly entitled if that makes you feel better. That doesn't make it true and that does nothing to improve your situation.
The Ford's seem to be of the mindset of those without job security. "If I can't have it, nobody else should!"
Perhaps the better way of thinking would be "Myself and a lot of people don't have good job security. We should have more!"
Rob and Doug's budget came in $300+ more then he previous years budget, using the surplus he still had a deficit of $28 million. He added staff to city hall, he cut services, raised user fees (ie tax increase) and divided the city. Next he will be adding 1000's of working poor, creating a bigger burden on social assistance.
Any way I look at it he has put the city on a road to fiscal ruin.
Sometimes a union is the only protection a worker has. It can force a company to pursue different (and often better) austerity measures.
KTHXBAI
I'll support unions that don't make people's live shittier; people in the union and people not in the union (e.g. taking public livelihoods hostages).
We don't give people jobs for the sake of giving people jobs.
We give people jobs because it makes sense for the city.
But if you're okay with the massive budget shortfall then by all means, what is a budget but numbers? There's no <i>heart</i>.
And I thought we all learned about 'prejudice' in high school..
It must somehow be the Union's fault.
lol yes, because the _only_ way to solve budget shortfalls is through cutting services and staff.