‘Tinpot dictator stuff:’ Calgary mayor attacks Ontario premier’s Toronto plan
CALGARY — The mayor of Calgary says Ontario Premier Doug Ford’s plan to cut the number of Toronto city councillors and cancel votes for other municipal elections is “tinpot dictator stuff.”
Ford said Friday his Progressive Conservative government will introduce legislation to cut the number of seats to 25 from 47 and cancel planned elections for regional chair positions in several Greater Toronto Area communities. Ford’s announcement came the day nominations for those seats were to close.
“For you to say to those folks who put their lives on hold only because they want to do public service, ‘By the way, the job you’re running for doesn’t exist any more’ — that’s unconscionable,” Nenshi said.
“That is a direct affront on democracy. That is tinpot dictator stuff.”