Karen Stintz’s opinion on city strike

City lost in the deal with strikers
An exclusive op-ed for the Town Crier by Councillor Karen Stintz
By Councillor Karen Stintz
(Written Sept. 8 for Town Crier)

Councillor Karen Stintz questions if city can afford new contact with local unions.

In last month’s Town Crier, Mayor David Miller had an opportunity to provide his perspective on the civic strike and the settlement that concluded the labour disruption. He claims his bargaining goals were met.
Weeks later and thanks to almost $1 million dollars in overtime, the city is cleaned up and back to business.
But let’s be clear: a financial mess remains. And for this reason alone Toronto residents endured a 39-day strike for nothing.
On day one of the strike, Toronto residents gamely hunkered down for a long, tough fight. They understood important issues were at hand. Mayor Miller himself told residents the city was facing “enormous budget challenges in 2009, 2010 and beyond.”
For this reason he said, “the cost of providing services must be in balance with the revenues the city has to pay the bills”.

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Toronto’s proposed stimulus projects

City seeks 600 mil from Ottawa for infrastructure
List of potential projects given to media ahead of decision announcements

By Kris Scheuer
As a Toronto journalist, I have not posted any articles from other media on my site – until today.
Yesterday I read the article by Brodie Fenlon, a city hall reporter, in The Globe and Mail about more than 500 projects the city government is seeking stimulus funding from the feds.
A list of projects was circulated to all 44 councillors last week and someone gave a copy to The Globe.
This includes projects such as $1.68 mil to resurface the Gardiner Expressway, $9 mil to resurface Victoria Park Ave, $21.4 mil to modernize Pape and Dufferin subway stations and $1.1 mil for the North York Central Library.
To see the full 12-page list, click here.
An announcement is expected next week to see which projects the feds okay for Toronto.
I think it was right that someone “leaked” the list to the media and by extension to the public.

City hosts free democracy workshops

Democracy requires an informed public.  
So whether you are a politics news junkie like I am or just want a better understanding of how our municipal government comes up with the decisions it does, being “in the know” helps. 
It’s hard to protest or argue for change if you don’t know what policies the city is imposing in the first place. Democracy in action is when people participate in the decision-making by attending community meetings, demanding accountability or running for public office. 
I am excited city hall is launching Toronto Civics 101. There are six free sessions open to any resident or business owner in our city but you need to register by June 23 at http://www.toronto.ca/civic-engagement/index.htm or call 416-392-8592.