Budget Blues

Toronto apparently has a budget deficit for 2006 of more than $500 million. That seems incredible. It’s either a case of provincial downloading coming home to roost and/or bad financial management. So far, the politicians seemed focused on finding new sources of revenue - be it calling in some Toronto Hydro debt or raising property taxes…again. What about taking a deep look at the city’s expenses to find out if there’s some fat to be cut. We seem to have no problems spending $10-million for a new soccer stadium that will rarely see its 25,000-seat capacity filled. Explain to me how a city with a $500 million budget deficit can spend $10-million a soccer stadium? No wonder the province doesn’t want to bother bailing out the city any more.

Torito’s Terrific

I don’t go to restaurants too often these days so it’s disappointing when you do go out and the meal’s not wonderful. Fortunately, Torito (274 Augusta Ave.) in Kensington Market was terrific. The tapas restaurant scored with a comfortable atmosphere, excellent service and great food at reasonable prices. It has been described as the perfect first date spot because it’s different and interesting without being too much of a risk. In particular, the lamb loaf and steak were terrific. I’d happily go again. For more raves, here’s an Eye Magazine review, as well as one from Blog.TO.

This is not Tokyo

I had to laugh at the TTC’s decision not to adopt a policy whereby they would cram people like sardines into subways to create more capacity - a practice used in Tokyo. What it does do is put the spotlight on the TTC’s lack of money to grow the system at a time when ridership appears to be on the rise. For all Toronto’s talk about becoming a “world-class” city, the fact our public transporation system is begging for money is troubling. If the city is going to grow by 1 million people over the next 20 years - a policy that seems unviable from a standard of living point of view - the city, province and Ottawa are going to have to bite the bullet and build at least one or two new subways lines.

Where’s Sam Mitchell?

I hate commuting but a highlight each week is The Fan 590’s Wednesday morning interviews with Toronto Raptors coach Sam Mitchell. Rather than being a fawning, cliche-filled discussion, Mitchell and the The Fan’s co-hosts, Don Landry and Gord Stellick, often get into quasi-arguments after Mitchell objects, refutes or dismisses questions about the team and its players. This morning, however, Mitchell was nowhere to be seen - or heard. He was mysteriously AWOL. Apparently, a reporter asked him about his radio crankiness, which illicited a cranky reply from Mitchell. We miss you, Sam!

Chow Wins

I guess the third time was the charm for Olivia Chow as she finally defeated Liberal Tony Ianno in yesterday’s federal election in Trinity-Spadina. My wife put it best when she declared she wasn’t voting NDP but, rather, she was voting for Olivia, who has been a tireless councillor in our riding. While the Liberals still have a stronghold on Toronto, maybe Chow’s win and that of fellow NDPer Peggy Nash in Parkdale-High Park is a sign people are tired of the Liberals all-talk-and-no-walk approach to Toronto. Say what you will about Stephen Harper not having a pro-urban agenda but it can’t be much worse than the Liberals who talked about waterfront renewal but did little, who talked about affordable housing but did little, who talked about infrastructure improvements but did little. The low point probably came when Paul Martin swung by the Jane & Finch area to announce his hand gun ban. Where were the Liberals last summer when the shooting spree was going on? Of course, it’s not just the Liberals who have screwed Toronto. The provincial government has to take its share of blame for the waterfront, housing, etc. while the municipal government still appears to badly run as Mayor David Miller spends more time orchestrating his re-election than taking bold initiativces to move the city forward.

So Does Toronto Go Red Again?

Within the next 12 hours, we should have a pretty good idea about Canada’s new PM. We’ll also know whether Toronto did what Toronto always does and votes Liberal, or whether the NDP makes some inroads as Torontonians penalize the Liberals just like the rest of the country. In my neck of the woods, the race between the NDP’s Olivia Chow and the Liberals’ Tony Ianno should be extremely close.

Torys to Hand Over Toronto Port Authority?

As the Torys make a play to break the Liberals’ stronghold in Toronto, Stephen Harper is starting play nice with the city, which is concerned he doesn’t have a pro-urban agenda. Mr. Harper’s latest attempt to woo Torontonians is a suggestion the Tories could hand over control of the evil Toronto Port Authority to the city. This compares with the Liberals’ policy of maintaining the status quo to keep its supporters happy.

Recycling Enforcement Gets Serious

If you don’t recycle or recycle enough, Toronto’s garbage police will be dogging you soon. To increase participation in the recycle program, the city proposes to have a team of inspectors crack down on non-believers. First, they will give you an education; then, they will give you a warning; and if you don’t get the message, they will give you a $105 fine. I’m all for recycling but this is a bit much. Will inspectors rip open you garbage to see if there are scraps of paper that should be in the blue box, or a piece of chicken that somehow missed the green bin? If the city was really serious about recycling, they should spend more time getting apartment buildings into the system - as opposed to making homeowners do even more work. And instead of asking for another $584K to hire six recycling/garbage inspectors, maybe the city should put some more resources cleaning the streets, which seem to be strewn with more litter every day.

Will the Soccer Stadium Deal Live?

If the PCs somehow win a majority government next week, do you think they will continue to support the spending of $27-million on a soccer stadium in downtown Toronto? For a party that espouses efficient government and the role of the private sector, how can they possibly support $27-million on a stadium when there are so man other press infrastructre projects in Toronto - water, roads, public transit - that are in dire need of capital? Frankly, it would be a good deal if the stadium deal evaporates because it would mean Toronto would be off the hook in contributing $10-million. This commitment is just another example of how the city has its priorities totally wrong. In an ideal world, Toronto should be spending $10-million to build several community centres to provide young and old people with places to play, learn and entertain. I’m not suggesting well-financed community centres can solve the problems of Jane & Finch, for example, but the can play an important and constructive role in the lives of many people.

Why Toronto Votes Liberal

The National Post has an intriguing story today on why Toronto consistently votes Liberal even though the city usually gets the shaft when the Liberals are in power. Toronto is the economic engine of the country yet it gets treated like Orangeville - and that’s no insult to Orangeville. You look at the Liberals’ track record on the waterfront, the Toronto Port Authority, affordable-housing and infrastructure development - and its abysmal. Yet, year after year, Torontonians obediently vote Liberal, which gives the Liberals absolutely no incentive to change how they treat the city. It’s the classic case of battled wife syndrome because we keep coming back for more.