Rob Ford's Toronto

[Eug]

I had to share: I have a friend who is a Canadian (non-Torontonian) ex-pat living overseas. He emailed me today to say he wished Chris Farley were still alive, because then he could make a movie about our mayor.

As someone who feels strongly about social justice, I wouldn't vote for Tory unless he supports things like the fair wage policy, priority neighbourhoods, or unionized labour.

I think we need balance. I'm sure most would agree with fair wages but what is fair? For example, is a low end job fair at $22 per hour? Or is it only fair at $25? Is it fair at $30, or are people getting overpaid then? And in some jobs, the pay is the same between union and non-union, except that the non-union workers don't have to pay union dues, which are often hundreds of dollars per year. In addition, should people advance just because of seniority, or should people advance because of ability? I'm sure you've heard of the ubiquitous example of the crappy union worker who has been shuffled around from department to department because he's got seniority even though he's a total dolt. Not a bad person, but just ineffective.

The point here is that it's not a black-and-white argument. Either as a worker or a management type, I'd rather have a fair non-unionized environment than a stifling unionized environment, but a fair union structure is something that can help both.

 

[MetroMan]

With Adam Giambrone's re-entry into politics lending credence to prior rumblings about a possible 2014 mayoral bid, I poked around. One person says he's absolutely considering mounting a campaign if his MPP bid isn't won. Thoughts?

 

[W. K. Lis]

I had to share: I have a friend who is a Canadian (non-Torontonian) ex-pat living overseas. He emailed me today to say he wished Chris Farley were still alive, because then he could make a movie about our mayor.



I think we need balance. I'm sure most would agree with fair wages but what is fair? For example, is a low end job fair at $22 per hour? Or is it only fair at $25? Is it fair at $30, or are people getting overpaid then? And in some jobs, the pay is the same between union and non-union, except that the non-union workers don't have to pay union dues, which are often hundreds of dollars per year. In addition, should people advance just because of seniority, or should people advance because of ability? I'm sure you've heard of the ubiquitous example of the crappy union worker who has been shuffled around from department to department because he's got seniority even though he's a total dolt. Not a bad person, but just ineffective.

The point here is that it's not a black-and-white argument. Either as a worker or a management type, I'd rather have a fair non-unionized environment than a stifling unionized environment, but a fair union structure is something that can help both.

Beware if you work overtime (time-and-a-half and/or double-time), because doing so may result in you getting your name in the "Sunshine" list making more than $100,000 a year. That threshold hasn't been adjusted for inflation since 1996. Good thing Canada hasn't hyperinflation, or everyone would be on that list.

 

[Johnny Au]

Let us take a look at the NDP.

The NDP historically stands for social justice, but very recently, it is making promises that favour small businesses as well. They are trying to find a good balance between social justice and pro-business.

Me, I believe that we should build cities, as long as they serve as many people with the highest quality at the lowest possible (and reasonable) price. Hence, I support Transit City.

Karen Stintz is more of a fiscal conservative than Rob Ford, since she does not delve into unreasonable soundbites and actually knows how to save money, while building cities at the same time. Rob Ford is a populist who knows how to manipulate people's emotions without providing any substance.

 

[typezed]

I don't think that municipal government should be in the business of enacting NDP policy that can't take hold at higher levels of government. It's why I have a problem with politicians like Fletcher and Davis, although I'm sure they mean well and work hard. Municipal revenue isn't only coming from huge corporations and Rosedale capitalists. It's coming from people looking to make their mortgage and keep small businesses afloat. The city needs to give them good value for the money it takes. To some degree it does need to be foremost in the businesses of collecting the garbage and filling potholes. There seems to me to be a ton of work to be done in the public sphere, just keeping the streets clean for one thing, and lots of people who need things to do with their day. I'd rather we shift our outlook to give those people opportunities to help get things done than ensuring that anyone who gets any position with government is well-paid and secure for the rest of their career. If voters can't see value for money spent and politicians are more interested in big ideas than keeping the city running, they're leaving plenty of vacuum for the likes of Rob Ford (although he too is more interested in his backward political ideas than in actually managing the city well).

 

[Silence&Motion]

I had to share: I have a friend who is a Canadian (non-Torontonian) ex-pat living overseas. He emailed me today to say he wished Chris Farley were still alive, because then he could make a movie about our mayor.



I think we need balance. I'm sure most would agree with fair wages but what is fair? For example, is a low end job fair at $22 per hour? Or is it only fair at $25? Is it fair at $30, or are people getting overpaid then? And in some jobs, the pay is the same between union and non-union, except that the non-union workers don't have to pay union dues, which are often hundreds of dollars per year. In addition, should people advance just because of seniority, or should people advance because of ability? I'm sure you've heard of the ubiquitous example of the crappy union worker who has been shuffled around from department to department because he's got seniority even though he's a total dolt. Not a bad person, but just ineffective.

The point here is that it's not a black-and-white argument. Either as a worker or a management type, I'd rather have a fair non-unionized environment than a stifling unionized environment, but a fair union structure is something that can help both.

There's definitely a lot of room for debate on specific policies, especially on the shape/role of unions. I was more interested in the larger, more black and white differences that do emerge on the campaign trail and that set basic parameters for constructing policy. Whether a candidate would place getting the best deal for the taxpayer above ensuring all city employees/contractors are paid a "livable wage" (whatever that is deemed to be), is a pretty clear question. I know where Ford and Chow stand on this issue, but not Tory.

 

[Tulse]

I know where Ford and Chow stand on this issue, but not Tory.

Where would you like him to? I'm sure he can accommodate...

 

[Tulse]

With Adam Giambrone's re-entry into politics lending credence to prior rumblings about a possible 2014 mayoral bid, I poked around. One person says he's absolutely considering mounting a campaign if his MPP bid isn't won. Thoughts?

Ugh. On the substantive side, I don't think that Giambrone has any sort of real track record, at least one that would make him equipped to deal with the position of mayor. On the purely political side, Giambrone is still considered a joke by many because of his scandal, and his entry would only serve to split the progressive vote (presuming there is a more substantive progressive candidate like Chow, or even Vaughan). I'd prefer he stay out.

 

[Silence&Motion]

I don't think that municipal government should be in the business of enacting NDP policy that can't take hold at higher levels of government. It's why I have a problem with politicians like Fletcher and Davis, although I'm sure they mean well and work hard. Municipal revenue isn't only coming from huge corporations and Rosedale capitalists. It's coming from people looking to make their mortgage and keep small businesses afloat. The city needs to give them good value for the money it takes. To some degree it does need to be foremost in the businesses of collecting the garbage and filling potholes. There seems to me to be a ton of work to be done in the public sphere, just keeping the streets clean for one thing, and lots of people who need things to do with their day. I'd rather we shift our outlook to give those people opportunities to help get things done than ensuring that anyone who gets any position with government is well-paid and secure for the rest of their career. If voters can't see value for money spent and politicians are more interested in big ideas than keeping the city running, they're leaving plenty of vacuum for the likes of Rob Ford (although he too is more interested in his backward political ideas than in actually managing the city well).

What about social services? The city is currently "in the business" of providing and funding childcare services because the other levels of government refuse to pay for it. We know that access to good childcare has a HUGE impact on the lives of people born into poverty. But it costs money to give poor people access to good childcare for free. Again, this is another issue where Ford and Chow have pretty clear positions (should the city get out of the business of childcare and leave it to the province, or should the city hold itself to a higher level of service and even try to expand children's services to meet increased demand). I don't know where Tory would stand on this.

 

[JWBF]

On the circle jerk yesterday John Moore was called a "Latte Loving Socialist" in a derogatory manner, my question is why are the Fords for democracy and P3 agreements, however, say that socialism is bad and leftist?

Also, Robbie made the statement that subways are cheaper than LRTs, this factoid is due to subways lasting longer (100 years) than LRTs (25 years), this is exasperated by larger tunnels for LRTs, and the cost of concrete. Oh yah, subways are also greener.

Why can't the Fords ever state the truth instead of fragmented "good facts"?

I guess it's like Ford Fest is not a political rally, but give out t-shirts that say "Ford Fest Rocks" and "Ford Nation".

At least Dougie finally supports Robbie as a Populist mayor.

 

[Eug]

Beware if you work overtime (time-and-a-half and/or double-time), because doing so may result in you getting your name in the "Sunshine" list making more than $100,000 a year. That threshold hasn't been adjusted for inflation since 1996. Good thing Canada hasn't hyperinflation, or everyone would be on that list.

Not sure if you were getting at this, but you don't have to be a union employee to be on the sunshine list. You just have to be well-paid as an employee. That could mean say a "regular" mid-pay job with tons of overtime, or CEOs or professionals with their regular pay.

Which reminds me... Getting a little off topic here, but some large institutions will hire professionals as salaried employees, or if they choose, non-employee subcontractors. However, the overall budget is the same... so if you are an employee (union or non-union) you get an automatic pay cut because they have to pay the government stuff like EI and the employer health tax. For subcontractors, they just pay the person that money that would have otherwise gone to the government. Also, the employees will appear on the sunshine list if they make $100000 or more, but subcontractors won't.

 

[christiesplits]

With Adam Giambrone's re-entry into politics lending credence to prior rumblings about a possible 2014 mayoral bid, I poked around. One person says he's absolutely considering mounting a campaign if his MPP bid isn't won. Thoughts?

I would be stunned if he's the left wing's municipal flag bearer in 2014. I think it's Olivia's to lose, and if not her, Peggy Nash or - as I've heard via my NDP friend - Peter Tabuns. Heck, I could see Frances Lankin or even His Blondness himself take another stab at it over Giambrone.

Ugh. On the substantive side, I don't think that Giambrone has any sort of real track record, at least one that would make him equipped to deal with the position of mayor. On the purely political side, Giambrone is still considered a joke by many because of his scandal, and his entry would only serve to split the progressive vote (presuming there is a more substantive progressive candidate like Chow, or even Vaughan). I'd prefer he stay out.

It is highly unlikely there will be more than one left wing candidate given that the NDP always puts their eggs in one camp. In the 2003 election there were still some remaining NDP supporters helping Barbara Hall but the party establishment was fully behind Miller.

 

[Eug]

It is highly unlikely there will be more than one left wing candidate given that the NDP always puts their eggs in one camp. In the 2003 election there were still some remaining NDP supporters helping Barbara Hall but the party establishment was fully behind Miller.

And that was too bad, as Miller rode the misguided anti-bridge wave to victory. However, Hall was supposedly more centrist than Miller.

 

[scar_resident]

I think we need balance. I'm sure most would agree with fair wages but what is fair? For example, is a low end job fair at $22 per hour? Or is it only fair at $25? Is it fair at $30, or are people getting overpaid then? And in some jobs, the pay is the same between union and non-union, except that the non-union workers don't have to pay union dues, which are often hundreds of dollars per year. In addition, should people advance just because of seniority, or should people advance because of ability? I'm sure you've heard of the ubiquitous example of the crappy union worker who has been shuffled around from department to department because he's got seniority even though he's a total dolt. Not a bad person, but just ineffective.

The point here is that it's not a black-and-white argument. Either as a worker or a management type, I'd rather have a fair non-unionized environment than a stifling unionized environment, but a fair union structure is something that can help both.

Considering that across city of Toronto residents the median hourly wage is $20.50, a low end job at $22 is too high. If the median wage is higher in the Toronto public service than private sector we have a problem since the public sector salaries are being paid through tax revenue raised off the private sector. Poor people are paying more taxes to give the better off higher wages.

 

[dforthandbview]

I've been listening to Rob And Doug's radio show for the past few weeks now and I've noticed one thing. Well, many things, but one thing is the music they play leading into and coming back from the commercials. There's pretty much zero Canadian content there. You'd think a show called "The City" would play something homegrown. Then again, Ford Nation probably just listens to typical mainstream rock bands and nothing else. But still, if Rob loves this city so much and says it's the greatest in the world, why not skip The Stones and play something Canadian? But I know it's a minor detail, doesn't really matter in the grand scheme of things.