[xtypo_dropcap]T[/xtypo_dropcap]he Epoch Times asked the newly elected Toronto city councillors how things are going at City Hall with their new council, and if they thought they will be able to carry through with campaign promises. This is what some of them said.
Ana Bailão, Ward 18 Davenport
Ana Bailão is a fist time councillor but worked at City Hall before taking office. She said the election showed voters wanted change, but that doesn’t mean the new council is going to be divided.
“At the end of the day, I believe that all Councillors only wish to act in the best interest of their ward and their residents, and it is this that unites Council’s efforts above all else.” Whether that means things are going well so far, she didn’t say.
But Bailão is encouraged by what constituents and others have been telling her so far, and she says they care about their city and want to see it improve.
“I am looking forward to working with everyone to make sure that the residents of my Ward are heard.”
Frances Nunziata, Ward 11 York South-Weston
“It’s an exciting time for Toronto right now. We have a new Mayor and in just the first week we have already approved significant changes,” said long time Councillor Frances Nunziata. She says the new budget the council just passed will increase accountability and transparency.
“We have finally eliminated snacks for meetings of council and community council, and this is just the beginning.”
The upbeat veteran said she is looking forward to the revised plan for Transit City, the vote to cancel the Personal Vehicle Tax, and the move to trim councillor and mayoral office budgets, which could happen as soon as the next council meeting.
“There is going to be a lot of positive change at City Hall and the way our City is run; it’s a great time for Toronto.”
Jaye Robinson, Ward 25 Don Valley West
Jaye Robinson is a rookie councillor and fourth-generation Torontonian with 20 years experience working at city hall.
She described the first week as interesting, and said the real work is starting.
“The new Council is one that is filled with many new bright lights, and I am excited to have a chance to work with them to make positive changes within our city,” she told The Epoch Times.
She said it will be important to focus on issues residents are concerned about and that her constituents want the new council to get along and get things done.
Robinson explained that the budget, transit and traffic are big priorities, “but bridging the gap between Council and residents is also an important aspect of my role.” Perseverance will be key to getting the work done, she said.
“A proactive, productive, and positive approach will only bring positive outcomes.”
Gary Crawford, Ward 36 Scarborough Southwest
First-time Councillor Gary Crawford is a long-time volunteer with a lengthy list of community services.
He said it has been busy so far, but things are going well.
“My office staff has spent the last week getting organized for the new term. The first city council meeting went reasonably well. There is indeed a lot of passion, care and concern over how this city is governed and run.”
He has high expectations about getting things done and said he wouldn’t have run for office if he thought otherwise.
“I am confident that the goals and vision I have set out for myself, the people I represent in Scarborough Southwest and the City will be met and I will be working hard to achieve that.”
Michael Thompson, Ward 37 Scarborough Centre
Returning Councillor Michael Thompson says things are humming along at City Hall and the new Mayor’s transition team has done a good job getting council ready for action.
“There is no question that our new Mayor has a mandate to make significant changes to the way Toronto does business, and councillors are now coming to grips with the need to take a much harder look at how the city raises and spends public money.”
He said there is an expectant “vibe” at City Hall and veteran councillors are helping their new colleagues learn the ropes of city governance.
Going forward, Thompson says the challenge will be doing more with less, finding efficiencies and cost savings while maintaining Toronto’s “cultural vibrancy” and social vitality.
He’s also excited about his role as chair of the Economic Development and Culture Committee. If Toronto wants to invest in infrastructure and better services, it will need healthy businesses employing people and paying taxes, he said. He wants the committee to work hard and create new jobs and get Toronto businesses to invest in culture and community building.
“Committee members have a big job to do.”
Mike Layton, Ward 19 Trinity-Spadina
First-time Councillor Mike Layton, son of federal NDP leader Jack Layton, thanked Trinity Spadina for electing him and promised to work hard for his constituents.
He hopes the “spirit of collegiality and compromise” will guide the new council. “We will not always agree, but I know many, if not all of us, are committed to making the best possible decisions.”
The budget is chief among the challenges ahead, he said. “The mayor has promised zero increases to property taxes, and no major service cuts, but is also looking at cutting revenues. Over the long term, this won’t be sustainable, resulting in either program cuts, deficits, or increased taxes.”
Layton has concerns about the Mayor’s declaration that Transit City is “dead.” He says that many councillors still support the plan as a good way to increase transit in under-served areas, and stopping work that has begun will be complicated.
“Agreements have been signed, and millions have been spent. It will be complicated and very costly to stop construction.”
Josh Colle, Ward 15 Eglinton-Lawrence
Rookie Councillor Josh Colle is already used to working for his community as a School Trustee and director or president for a list of community groups. He says the new council is “off to a bustling start with a number of important and potentially contentious issues on the agenda.”
He says he is encouraged by having 13 first-timers on the council to inject new ideas and perspectives.
“The need for this new blood became overwhelmingly apparent as my colleagues and I spent nearly five hours at our first council meeting discussing, debating, dissecting, and deliberating on sandwiches and our schedule for the year.
While I expect vigorous debate on the issues, we can’t let this council fall into old habits that see two camps wage war against one another for the next four years. We were all elected to deliver results and they will only be gained through collaboration and cooperation.”
He argues Toronto needs a hardworking council that can compromise over things like subways and light rail to create a transit system that makes use of the best features of each.
Toronto can be financially stable and still deliver quality services to residents, he says.
“I am hopeful that the new mayor and councillors embrace the challenges that lie ahead of us and build a City Hall and a Toronto of which we can all be proud.”
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