The recent downward spiral that is public opinion toward the Toronto Transit Commission started when the infamous photo of a sleeping ticket taker went viral. From there, the complex public/political/union relationship has soured to historic proportions.
Following a stalled private member's bill and recent comments by North York Liberal MPP David Caplan, Premier Dalton McGuinty has - rightly or wrongly - brought the "essential service" debate to the forefront once again; and rightfully so. But the premier's comments that the debate should be a key issue in the next municipal election has raised the ire of TTC union president Bob Kinnear and Mayor David Miller.If recent woes at the TTC weren't so glaring - service delays, rude employees and so on - perhaps Miller's strong reaction to McGuinty weighing in on municipal issues would be understandable. But regardless of recent goodwill gestures by the TTC, the many issues will not go away any time soon. So, let the essential service debate continue, and let it become an issue in the upcoming mayoral race.All one has to do is to think back to the May 29, 2006, TTC wildcat strike to recall the chaos it caused. Toronto streets were packed with people walking to work, while throngs of TTC riders gathered at bus stops unaware of what had happened. Many didn't make it to work that day, reducing "the health and vitality" of Toronto."I agree it is an essential service," Caplan said in a recent interview with Toronto Community News. "I think, clearly, transit is essential to the health and vitality of the economy of the city." According to Caplan, a lockout or strike costs Toronto's economy $50 million a day.If we are to be cynics, it seems quite convenient for McGuinty to be weighing in on municipal politics when his former deputy premier George Smitherman is the frontrunner to replace Miller in the Oct. 25 municipal election. For now, the province is keeping its hands clean because the city hasn't asked it to intervene. But if Smitherman is to become Toronto's next mayor, will the TTC see drastic changes? Will the province, once again, create a reliable funding structure?Making the TTC an essential service, more often than not, costs the City of Toronto more when it's time for new contract negotiations - recent police and firefighter contracts are a perfect example. But to leave passengers stranded without an option for getting to and from work is completely irresponsible and will not improve an already sour relationship.