Ontario will move ahead with council cut despite court challenge
TORONTO — The Ontario government is standing by its controversial decision to cut the size of Toronto’s council despite a looming legal challenge from the city, saying it will be implementing the reduction in time for the fall municipal election.
A day after Toronto councillors voted to take the province to court over the issue, the Progressive Conservatives maintained that their decision will “streamline” governance in Canada’s most populous city.
“For too long the dysfunction and political gridlock at city hall has held Toronto back on issues like transit, infrastructure and housing,” a spokesman for Premier Doug Ford said in a statement Tuesday.
“The Better Local Government Act will help streamline Toronto City Council and make sure they can more effectively deliver on the priorities that matter to the people of Toronto, while saving taxpayers at least $25 million.”