CHV2O – MR NYMAN

Municipal Government

Learning Goals

To understand the powers of the municipal government, and how decisions are made

To gain an appreciation for the candidates in the upcoming election

What is a municipality?

a city, town , county, district, township or other community area having local self-government

80% of Canadians live in urban settings

What do they do?

Where does the money come from?

Property taxes – taxes paid for owning houses, apartments, businesses; some funding from licences and parking permits; and funding from provincial and federal governments

They cannot go into debt in Canada

How did we spend $9.4 billion?

How did we spend $9.4 billion?

$3.7 billion: Wage bill for 48,594 city staff$1.6 billion: TTC$1 billion: Police services$415.4 million: Bank debt charges$391.8 million: Parks and recreation$175.9 million Emergency medical services180.6 million: Toronto Public Library$3.1 million: Firefighting cuts prevention$1.16 million: Student nutrition program

expansion

What is Toronto?

Municipal Structure

What are the laws called?

Bylaw: regulation passed by municipal councils. Provincial governments can review and overturn the legal decision

How are they passed?

1. Public, city administration, or city council determines a need

2. (if from public) must get city councillor’s support3. City administration looks into the matter4. If decided on, law department drafts a bylaw5. Presented to a committee, debated6. Committee votes on whether to recommend

bylaw7. Law department drafts a final draft8. City council receives the final draft, and may

debate and votes on the bylaw9. By comes into effect when signed by the mayor

2010 Mayoral Election

Rob Ford 383,501 47.114% George Smitherman 289,832 35.607% Joe Pantalone 95,482 11.730% Rocco Rossi 5,012 0.616%George Babula 3,273 0.402%Rocco Achampong 2,805 0.345%Abdullah-Baquie Ghazi 2,761 0.344%Michael Alexander 2,470 0.304%Vijay Sarma 2,264 0.277%….

Toronto Municipal Election, 2014

October 27, 2014Citizens will vote for mayor, city councillors,

school trustees

How to run for mayor?

Requirements

- A Canadian citizen- At least 18 years of age- A resident of the City of Toronto; or own or lease property; or the spouse of the owner or lessee in the City of Toronto- Not legally prohibited from voting (further details provided below)- Not disqualified by any legislation from holding municipal office (further details provided below)

Nomination Steps

In order to submit a Nomination (for yourself), you have to provide the following:

1. Current Identification (ex. Ontario Driver's License, or Ontario Health Card)2. Qualifications for Council Form (confirmation that you have the requirements noted above)3. Nomination Form4. Nomination Filing Fee (Mayor: $200, Toronto City Councillor: $100)

Who is running

Rob Ford Olivia Chow John Tory Karen Stintz Sheppard and

Finch subways Downtown relief

line Against raising

taxes to pay for transit

Plans to reduce land transfer tax

Hasn’t specifically released a platform

Focus on Children and Families

Promote small business and youth emplyoment

Supports Scarborough LRT

Downtown relief subway line

Keep property taxes low

Downtown relief subway line

Reform land transfer tax

Support a bid for 2026 World Cup

Keep Gardiner between Jarvis and Cherry St

Currently is mayor, though he has been stripped of many powers by city council

Several scandals over the last year

Removed the vehicle registration tax during his time

City councillor from 1991-2005

MP for the NDP, married to Jack Layton

Former Child Advocate

Former leader of Ontario Conserative Party

Chair of CivicAction (advocacy group focusing on issues in Toronto)

Lost to David Miller in 2003

Former TTC chair (chosen by Rob Ford)

City councillor since 2003 in Eglinton/Lawrence area

Pushed for Scarborough Subway

http://www.robfordformayor.ca/

http://www.oliviachow.ca/

http://www.johntory.ca/ http://www.karenstintz.com/

Who is running?

David Soknacki Sarah Thomson Morgan Baskin Jeff Billard Opposes

Scarborough subway (favours LRT) to save money

Wants to keep garbage pickup public

Downtown relief line, LRT for Scarborough

Funding from tolls for non-residents on Gardiner and DVP

Electoral reform Long-term funding

for organizations that care for homeless, people in social housing

Stop divisive politics

Increased public transit and bike lanes

Wants increased funding from provincial and federal level

Mandatory recycling

More bike lanes

Freeze Scarborough subway plans, and further review

Opposes land transfer tax

Downtown relief line

Former city councillor in Scarborough

Former budget chief Has been out of

politics for a while

Ran for mayor in 2010, dropped out due to funding

Works with Toronto Transit Alliance

18 year old high school student

Leader in Scouts Canada and the Anglican Church

http://www.soknacki2014.com/

http://www.sarahthomson.ca/

http://morganbaskin.ca/

http://mayorbillard.com/

Assignment: Who would you vote for?

Due April 4½ page stating who you would vote for and whyYou must mention at least 2 issues that the

candidate supports/does not support Before starting, brainstorm what is important to you

Explain why you won’t vote for at least one of the other candidates

You are free to include personal reasons as well (my family is voting for them, they look boring, etc.)