City council votes to hold transit tax debate

TORONTO – City council overruled Mayor Rob Ford’s executive committee Tuesday, voting to discuss transit revenue tools before Metrolinx releases its recommendations.

City councillors voted 27-13, which means transit revenue tools will be discussed during this week’s council meeting.

Last month, the mayor’s executive committee tried to delay the debate until May 28, one day after Metrolinx hands down its recommendations to the province on how the transit expansion should be funded.

Coun. Adam Vaughan said despite what Ford wants, this is what council wants.

“I know that Mayor Ford wanted to put his fingers in his ears and take his ball and run home but mature governments and smart city councils make decisions that protect their residents,” he said.

“I’m glad we’re having the debate now.”

“The majority — two-thirds of council — voted to have the debate. If you followed Ford into battle, you got nothing. If you stood up and had a legitimate political debate, you will see where the votes lie.”

“Ford’s idea that you can somehow build transit by not supporting new revenue tools is ludicrous.”

But Coun. Doug Ford is not pleased.

“We were short one vote. Couple people decided to walk out on the vote rather than stand up for the people of Scarborough,” he said.

“We’re going to focus on making sure that there’s not a two-tier transit system. One for the rest of the city and then the people out in Scarborough, they get second-tier transit. I don’t think that’s fair.”

Deputy Mayor Doug Holyday told 680News he is OK with council discussing it, but ultimately, it is the province trying to pin creating new taxes on the city.

“I guess it won’t do any harm to talk about it but on the other hand, all we’re doing is being positioned by the province to cover for the fact they want to raise taxes,” he said.

“They want to be able to tell the people that it’s the municipalities that want this done.”

Mayor Ford repeated that he will not support any new revenue tools.

“I’m not going to support any revenue tools to build transit. I’ve said that,” he said.

“I respect the will of council, if they want to debate it, go ahead but like I said, I’m going to need names and people are going to be held accountable.”

“People can’t afford to pay another $1,000 a year. Period.”