yeah I'm angry - so what? Is being angry uncanadian? I think people should honestly express their anger as opposed to considering it unseemly or undemocratic. And by the way considering how undemocratic this city is becoming, with the widening gulf between haves and have nots y'all better get used to anger. Locals have noted the contempt from city hall about the overdevelopment in this area and the traffic that results from it. Those locals have been very respectful and circumspect with their criticism - where has that got them? Get used to the anger my friend it's the way of the future.
You may present as you wish; however, you're not addressing the Mayor, or the Councillor or Mr. Crombie here. You're addressing strangers who have done nothing to you. Yelling at us may not hurt you much, but it certainly won't get you anything either.
Being persuasive, however, might.
At the very least, it may change some votes in a future election; but it may get you more, some people here can affect some change, some of the time. Yelling at them won't get you their ear.
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May I further suggest to you than the City has opposed the size/scale of many of the developments in the St. Lawrence area to which you object. But was either overruled by the OMB or its brief successor; or made reluctant concessions fearing worse, if they didn't.
Perhaps your anger would be better directed on this issue at the provincial level of government which controls the OMB.............
Likewise, income inequality is a very real issue, and one which will garner you a sympathetic ear in this forum.
It is also a Federal/Provincial jurisdictional issue.
The City does have some tools at its disposal to take the edge off; but they are comparatively limited.
The City has no authority to tax income or wealth; nor does it have the mandate, or the revenues to directly redistribute it.
The most it can do is build a modest amount of housing, improve conditions at some of the housing it controls; raise property taxes, and use those revenues to both improve services and reduce or eliminate user fees for things like recreation, and the TTC.
Certainly the City could do better, the Mayor and council could be more courageous and ambitious; but the most audacious plans you could imagine (at the municipal level) will not change the minimum wage, or social assistance rates, they will not lower income tax on the poor, nor extend healthcare coverage to areas like drugs and dental.
So again, if this is a pressing concern of yours, you might direct your anger more at the Federal and Provincial governments than the City.
