Morning Brew: Holyday wants to change city's electoral boundaries, SIU reopens G20 probe for the third time, another audit request for the mayor's campaign, Target's hitting Toronto and Ontario liquor laws are changing June 1st
As soon as he's finished with slashing councillors' expenses, deputy mayor Doug Holyday wants to slash Toronto's electoral boundaries, a move that could produce a major change in the political landscape at city hall. The current borders date back to 2000 when the provincial Fewer Municipal Politicians Act forced council to downsize from 57 to 44 wards. Usually boundaries change for federal and provincial ridings every 10 years to reflect population changes, but this law doesn't apply to the city. The 2006 census reported ward populations were distinctly uneven around the city. Councillor Adam Vaughan has seen the population increase in his own ward over the last five years and, surprisingly, agrees with Holyday's idea but the councillor wants to "figure out what's fair. I think a vote should be a vote."
A third G20 injury probe concerning Dorian Barton was reopened yesterday by the Special Investigations Unit. The SIU has twice tried the case without laying charges and has cited the lack of co-operation from the police involved in the case as the reason why it hasn't moved forward. Even with a photograph of Barton's arrest, apparently none of the eleven witness officers could positively identify the officer accused of injuring Barton, and when Toronto police used the photograph to pinpoint the badge number of the officer in question, they allegedly refused to reveal who made the identification. Now Toronto police has agreed to give the name to the SIU. Barton for his part hopes they can finally press charges.
Another day, another audit request for Mayor Rob Ford. This time, retired teacher David DePoe is alleging the mayor's campaign received discounted goods and services, most particularly from his family's business, Doug Ford Holdings, which could be perceived as corporate donations. DePoe says he spent hours poring over the mayor's campaign filings and invoices. City council's compliance audit committee will review DePoe's request at their meeting on June 6.
Torontonians will finally be able to weigh in the "Target" or "Tar-zhey" debate when the U.S.-based retailer opens its first Canadian stores over the next two years. Six stores will be located right here in Toronto, with the Hudson Bay Company's subletting many existing Zellers store for the chain. Discount shopping is about to get a whole lot classier, y'all.
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