One year later: A Miller progress checklist

Tuesday marks the first anniversary of the resounding election victory that gave David Miller his second term as mayor.
During the 2006 campaign, Miller’s critics charged that his first term was lacklustre, devoid of major policy directions or accomplishments, and that he didn’t deserve a second shot. When it comes to politics, that’s the nature of [...]

Awash in cash, Tories expected to cut GST to 5 per cent

The Harper government is expected to announce plans to cut the GST to 5 per cent when it updates Canadians this afternoon on Ottawa’s swelling budget surplus. The timing of the fall economic statement has been moved up, sources say, to give the Conservatives one last chance to goad opposition Liberals into triggering an election.
Today’s [...]

Everything is proceeding as Dalton McGuinty has foreseen

“Everything is proceeding as Dalton McGuinty had foreseen”. John Tory was supposed to lead Ontario’s Progressive Conservatives to certain victory over the “supposed” dark side; however he led them instead to a resounding defeat. Emperor Dalton McGuinty became the province’s first Liberal leader in 70 years to claim a second straight majority government. Albeit, one [...]

Tax Me I’m Torontonian

Toronto Council has finally passed the controversial new land-transfer tax and vehicle registration tax/fee. Although a compromise was needed, Toronto should now have the stable funding that they require to run the city. Barring that the housing market does not go bust or everyone in Toronto decides to sell their car. This would never happen? [...]

Toronto likely to approve new taxes

Toronto Council is likely to approve two new taxes later today, according to Deputy Mayor Joe Pantalone. “I think that the mayor’s compromise is going to pass - that’s my sense, absolutely,” said Pantalone, who represents Ward 19 (Trinity Spadina). “From the discussion, that’s clear what’s going to happen. The opponents are disheartened.”
Pantalone made the [...]

How Miller found his new groove

Seeking support for the vote on tax plan, the mayor discovers consensus. It was meant as an innocent political observation. It sounded like a lot more.
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Time to get more use out of the Sheppard Subway line and go west?

To be honest, I love subways and I have a bit of a bias towards the Sheppard Subway line. I have always believed that if the subway was completed, or at least ½ done, than it would have never been considered as an option to close or shut down, in the Toronto tax crunch. I [...]

Miller takes tax package proposal to the people

Are you still unsure where you stand on the Mayor’s tax package? If so, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to hear the arguments for and against the land-transfer and vehicle registration taxes today.
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Toronto controversial tax plan in the hands of swing votes

With one week to go before a momentous tax debate at city hall, the spotlight shines on a half-dozen Toronto councillors still undecided if they will vote for Mayor David Miller’s new “revenue tools.” Over the next few days, negotiations are expected to intensify between the mayor’s office and key swing voters on council for [...]

What does this election mean for Toronto and David Miller and taxes?

I am sure that David Miller, and all of the city councilors, were watching the election closely. Essentially, Torontonians have decided to put Dalton McGuinty back in power, but voting overwhelmly for Liberals in various ridings. An interesting note is that NDP voters seemed to be concentrated in the downtown areas, where David Miller’s support [...]