City To Give Next Mayor More Power

City Council voted Tuesday night to boost the political juice of the only city-wide elected leader, giving the person occupying the chair a lot more say in what happens in Toronto.

Under the current scheme, just about everything at City Hall goes before the entire council for debates over minutiae that can rage for hours or even days.

But thanks to changes made at Queen’s Park giving Toronto more control over its own destiny, the next mayor will be able to choose his or her own select 13 member executive council, who will decide on which key issues get handed down for discussion.

The lucky 13 will have a lot of power in their hands, being able to decide on issues ranging from transit to taxes.

That’s supposed to clear the way for local Councillors to have more time to deal with problems that affect your specific neighbourhood – like helping you get a street light installed or clearing the way for a bike lane.

Critics charge it’s just another layer of bureaucracy in a system that’s already laden with red tape. Others counter it will give voters what they want – more say in their own ridings.

But the powers-that-be knew they had to do something. When the McGuinty government passed the new City of Toronto Act on June 12th, designed to allow the country’s biggest metropolis more say over its own fate, it mandated that structural changes needed to be made – or it would impose its own.

So far, the Liberals haven’t commented on the decision.

The changes take effect in December but it’s not yet clear who’ll be the first to benefit from them.

Mayor David Miller is in the running to repeat his victory, but faces a strong challenge from current Councillor Jane Pitfield, who is his political opposite.

Top Stories

Top Stories

Most Watched Today