Toronto asking feds to stop Ontario council-cutting plan
TORONTO — The City of Toronto asked the federal government Thursday to stop Ontario legislation slashing the size of its council, an appeal issued after staff warned that holding a fair municipal election next month was becoming virtually impossible.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau made it clear, however, that Ottawa would not block the Ontario government’s unprecedented use of a constitutional provision to push through with its plan to reduce Toronto’s electoral map to 25 wards from 47.
The request for the federal government to use its disallowance powers came during an emergency session at city hall a day after Premier Doug Ford reintroduced council-cutting legislation that was found unconstitutional.
“I would say at this time Mr. Prime Minister, Toronto needs you,” said Coun. Joe Mihevc, who brought forward the resolution to ask for Ottawa’s assistance. “We need you at this time to enforce that principle in the Charter of Rights and Freedoms that says we are all created equal within the law and we are all subject to due process.”