George Smitherman said he'd cut the budgets of Toronto politicians by $2 million, hire a 'science' advisor to help find new ways to deal with Toronto's garbage, hire more police and add more drinking fountains in parks and public spaces, among a grab-bag of promises he unveiled at an Empire Club of Canada luncheon Wednesday, June 23, afternoon.
Smitherman characterized the suite of policies as a quest for "quality, not quantity." And he made a veiled reference to candidate Rob Ford, saying that if it was a little complex - well, Toronto is a complex city."Our city needs a government that actually understands the fact that the city's been built in different ways at different times, it has emerged differently and it has cultural distinctions," he said. "We have an obligation in this big and sophisticated city to allow for communities to be more involved in shaping their futures."Smitherman put forward six main promises in the speech.He said he would hire at least 50 more police officers, paid for from savings in overtime and traffic court costs; he would review city services and spending, and roll back $2 million from the mayor's and councillors' $22-million budget; he would add more drinking fountains in parks and public places, and add 20 new showers on Toronto's beaches; he would allow online booking of rinks and recreation facilities and create public online feedback kiosks, that would let residents rate their service levels; and he would conduct a 'scientific review' of Toronto's waste management system.Smitherman made a point of noting that the speech was being delivered on the anniversary of the start of Toronto's 40-day garbage strike last summer.And he made no bones about characterizing himself as a perfectionist with a "high intolerance for mediocrity.""I certainly know that change doesn't come just for the asking," he said. "In fact I found you have to cajole it, you have to inspire it and I've found too that sometimes, if you really, really want it you have to demand it. And then, when it comes you need to reward it."Smitherman wanted to look at ways to reward Torontonians who recycle aggressively. And he also wanted his scientific and technical advisor to look at alternative means of disposal.And after the speech, he made it clear that he wouldn't shy away from thermal technologies such as incineration."I get the politics associated with incineration," he said. "But people are looking at models of new technologies that are emerging. As a sophisticated, progressive jurisdiction why would we shut ourselves off from a debate about technological evolution?"