Stronger mayoral system debated in Scarborough

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It was political target practice at a public meeting Monday evening, as criticisms were flung at Mayor David Miller in his bid to expland his powers.

The meeting was held in the council chamber at the Scarborough Civic Centre and hosted by Ward 37 (Scarborough Centre) Councillor Michael Thompson, with the support of five other councillors who oppose the mayor's bid.

Thompson gave an introduction to the 120 people who attended, and stated the goal of the meeting was to hear concerns about giving the mayor more power and the ramifications should these new powers be granted.

"Should the mayor have the authority to bypass and override council as he believes is necessary?" Thompson asked. "And should the mayor have the power to control city staff with no oversight or accountability with council?"

Miller is seeking the authority to hire and fire city managers, and for city managers to report to him alone. He is also seeking the right to vote on policy and strategy with his executive committee in private, away from the public and council's eye.

"We, the members that are here, are concerned that by taking the responsibilities away from council and passed on to the mayor's office, it would be only a matter of time before senior staff appointments are made for political reasons rather than on the basis of competence and non-partisan," Thompson said.

He said that once senior staff is politicized, the rest of the city government could follow.

"We're concerned that closing the door to public involvement also closes the door public oversight."

Thompson added, "The mayor does not need these new powers because he has the friendly vote he needs (via his hand-picked executive committee council) to advance his agenda in council."

Murray Hedges of the Scarborough Association of Seniors opposed giving the mayor more power, and took it upon himself to survey 98 people in Scarborough to get their views. The results were that 83 of those people were against the increase in power.

Hedges wondered how members of the community can speak if not through their local representatives. He said crucial decisions should be made by all council representatives, not solely the mayor

"Our democracy depends on open dialogue with those in power and with those who elected them as their representatives," he said.

"Before the City of Toronto Act was brought into effect, the community was asked for input at several meetings... one of the main issues discussed was the increased power of the mayor. The community was very vocal in questioning that part of the act. No one listened, nothing changed, it was a done deal."

Toronto resident Margaret Smith, who also opposed more powers for the mayor, said the mayor doesn't need more authority to make this government more effective.

"If the proposed government changes further enhances the power of the mayor at the expense of most of the other members of council and the citizens they represent, it will undermine popular democracy," she said.

While the meeting was held to voice councillors' opposition and hear public concern, there seemed to be more statements critical of Miller than questions about what the granting of the new powers would mean. Speakers would express disappointment with a decision made by Miller and then ask the audience, "Do you feel the mayor should have more power?"

Also in attendance were Ward 39 (Scarborough-Agincourt) Councillor Mike Del Grande, Ward 36 (Scarborough Southwest) Councillor Brian Ashton, Ward 11 (York South-Weston) Councillor Frances Nunziata, Ward 25 (Don Valley West) Councillor Cliff Jenkins, and Ward 17 (Davenport) Councillor Cesar Palacio.

Neither Miller nor any of his representatives attended the meeting.

Thompson said the mayor's absence spoke volumes.

Attendees were also asked to sign a petition in support of additional public meetings on the issue, as well as to fill out a survey with the results to be sent to Miller and Premier Dalton McGuinty.