Let’s make the most of the 2010 municipal election

Rahul Bhardwaj.

It's tough to love the city you live in during an election because we tend to publicly air all our dirty laundry and then look forward to a good cleaning. But make no mistake about it, despite what you may hear this is a great city, and at times, even world class.

Our Toronto's Vital Signs Report tells us that we're creative, diverse and tolerant, and more prosperous, safer and greener than we've been before.

But it's also true that we are facing many challenges in the city. Our physical and social infrastructure is hurting. From public transit to public spaces we’re nowhere near what we should be. And if you're poor, you’re getting poorer. If you're old, you're more likely to be poor. If you're new to this country, the recession has hit you the hardest, and, if you're young, well, brace yourself for what's ahead.

As the candidates stake out their territory in this year’s municipal election we will be constantly reminded of "the good, the bad, and the ugly" in Toronto, and even worse, the price tag of each. And this is where I respectfully ask the candidates to please “put on the brakes." We’ve had a non-stop chorus about deficits and spending reduction from all three levels of government - we get it. But you don't get a world class city on the cheap either!

Please Mr. and Ms. Candidate, do not let this election be fought over "money" alone - whether it be municipal finance, spending, taxes or public wages - because, if that's what we focus on we miss an enormous opportunity to shape the future of this city. When what we need is a full and open discussion about the vision that will guide the city, we risk getting stuck in the most mundane and reductionist of discussions - what's it going to cost and who's going to pay for it?

Yes, we're coming out of a recession, but we also know that during a period of unprecedented prosperity in Toronto we failed to invest in it, and as a result we have inferior infrastructure and have created a stark city of "haves" and "have nots."

If all we focus on in the 2010 election is how we manage our city’s finances, then let's not complain when we get a world-class manager when what we say we really need is a world-class leader.

This city has what it takes to raise its collective eyes above the horizon and develop a vision for a brighter future for the city, and this election is precisely the time to discuss what that future will look like. If we don't seize the opportunity, well, there goes another election and all we managed to agree on is the "price of everything and the value of nothing."

Let’s innovate. Let’s give the next Mayor a better mandate than that.

About Rahul Bhardwaj

Comments

[Andrew]

Having a "vision" is admirable. But more important for the daily lives most people living in this city is how much realizing such a "vision" will cost them in user fees and taxes.

[Charles]

I think you make a good point about needing a vision for the future. It would be great if we could get both an visionary and an excellent manager to keep us from ending up with a half-paid-for vision.

[mark.]

Not only has the mayoral race been only about money, it seems that none of the candidates envision or desire anything more than simply 'being the mayor.' With all the cries for spending cuts, the candidates all feed us lines about 'trimming fat' and some other single issue that's going to solve everything. As a citizen (yeah, citizen, not customer!) I find this insulting.

[Carol Sutton]

I do agree with the importance of having "vision" for a livable, prosperous, and flourishing city.

Your comment, ' have created a stark city of "haves" and "have nots.' - Many citizens of the 'have nots' live in public housing or Toronto Community Housing Corporation, or TCHC.

In response to the question, 'Where should public housing go?' The answer should be 'everywhere'.

Here is my fresh idea for RGI or public housing. Similar plans are working well in London, England and other places.

Any new private building coming online over 100 units give 5% over to RGI. {Rent Geared to Income}

"I urge council to consider a new by-law that any building with over 100 units, coming online asking for a building permit- weather private condo or apartment dedicate 5% to RGI. {Rent Geared to Income} or TCHC or public housing. That way they are incorporated in existing neighborhoods and not
concentrated zones with adjunctive problems." given by me, as a deputant at City Hall and emailed to the Mayor and councillors.

Instead the city of Toronto continues to unveiled new draft revitalization plans for deteriorating TCHC communities and make more giant TCHC projects; that now are using a 'innovative mixed housing model'. This model uses also a much higher density of buildings and much less green space and parks.

If my idea had been in place, with all the condo's that have been built in the last two years alone, there would be mixed into all those condo properties - probably in total over 2,000 new Rent Geared to Income or RGI units or affordable housing units. Each building only having five percent RGI units.

[Brian Eng]

Inclusionary Housing has been used very extensively in the United States to accomplish the goals of having affordable housing included in all new housing development. 10, 15, even twenty per cent affordability is not uncommon. And many programs have include provisions that can make some of the units available to people who require Rent Geared to Income support.

More information is available at:
www.inclusionaryhousing.ca

[Carol Sutton]

I, Carol Sutton, just want to make it clear that I did not state to Vanessa Lu prior her article on my housing idea ('Idea floated to ensure more affordable housing' -Published in The Star on Tue Mar 09 2010) that developers would donate their property or a portion of it; rather that the TCHC or other housing managers would do this by buying these units. More simply put, I was not originally thinking that the developers would donate their property. It would be prohibitive for cost conscious developers to donate units. My thinking is that the TCHC or other housing managers would own the properties, pay normal condo management fees & etc. The tenant would be like a normal tenant except that their RGI rental would be covered by the TCHC with rent supplements. Read about rental vouchers programs now used in the Atlanta, Georgia. - New York Times article; Atlanta Is Making Way for New Public Housing .