FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Nov. 1, 2000 C4LD 1

This file contains:

TORONTO MUNICIPAL CANDIDATES SPLIT ON MAJOR ISSUES

Results of a questionnaire by Citizens For Local Democracy ( C4LD ) .

A significant split was revealed in the views of candidates in some hotly contested Toronto wards for the November municipal election. An example is Councillors Milton Berger and Anne Johnston in Ward 16. .

Candidates were asked to respond to a questionnaire prepared by Citizens For Local Democracy ( C4LD .) Fourteen questions covered issues of finance (taxes, user fees, public transit, Community Services), governance ( City Charter, Community Councils ), planning ( Olympics, Waterfront, garbage ) and Police endorsements.

These were considered as "wedge issues" which would help citizens to vote in "swing wards ". Based on the preferred "YES" answers, according to C4LD views, respondents were given a percentage score. Eighty-one candidates returned the questionnaire.

ATTACHMENTS :

We attach : The Questionnaire and Table 1 which summarizes the overall answers to each individual question. We also attach one page of the Summary Of Responses. All nine pages with the complete answers by each respondent in all wards are available.

Caution -

We attempted to reach all candidates by fax, mail or phone. Some late candidates may not have received the questionnaire. With many of the candidates we followed up several times by phone but still they did not return the questionnaire or they refused to answer the questions.

The questions and the issues are the concern of many citizens and help determine their vote.

Contact : Stig Harvor Tel. (416) 603-0995 Bob Barnett Tel. (416) 879-0845
 

INCUMBENT COUNCILLORS WITH LOW SCORES . C4LD 2

1. Ward 7 ( York West ) NOTE :

1. Ward 14 ( Parkdale- High Park )

1. Ward 38 ( Scarborough Centre )

1. Ward 44 ( Scarborough East )

1. Ward 40 ( Scarborough - Agincourt )

1. Ward 32 ( Beaches - East York )

A pattern emerges : Councillors who voted for the Adams Mine garbage contract are reluctant to answer questions. This is particularly noticeable in Scarborough wards where the following Councillors did not return the questionnaire :

Gerry Altobello * Ward 35

Lorenzo Bernardinetti * Ward 37

Sherene Shaw * Ward 39

Norm Kelly * Ward 40

Bas Balkissoon * Ward 41

David Sonacki * Ward 43

In the former cities of Toronto, York, and North York, only seven Councillors out of twenty- eight running did not answer. In the mayoralty race,

Mayor Mel Lastman did not respond and Tooker Gomberg scored 100%

OTHER AVAILABLE INFORMATION :

Other organizations have prepared questionnaires and literature. Many are in the "Badger" published by the Metro Network For Social Justice. MNSJ has prepared over 20 Fact Sheets on topics of major concern for all citizens, such as Fair Taxation, Housing, Childcare, Welfare, Seniors, Health, Jobs, Youth, Policing, Public Transit, etc. etc, They are available on www.mnsj.org and at (416) 351-0095. MNSJ is also available for workshops on all aspects of voting,

CITIZENS FOR LOCAL DEMOCRACY Sept. 26,2000

Questionnaire for Candidates to Toronto City Council November 2000.

ANSWER - YES or NO

1) Do you support a city-wide, comprehensive, citizen consultation on Charter Status for the city ?

2) Will you vote to increase decision-making powers of Community Councils ?

3. Will you actively campaign to provide a dedicated staff and funding for Community Councils ?

5) Will you oppose spending city funds for Olympic infrastructure and services if such spending reduces money available for other city services and programs ?

6) Do you support using at least 50 % of Olympic housing after the Games as social housing for low income City residents ?

7) Do you support increasing parking fees and providing the extra funds for public transit ?

8 ) Will you vote to reduce property taxes on apartments and direct the entire reduction to tenants ?

9) Will you vote to make funding Community Services the #1 budget priority ?

10) Will you refuse to accept endorsement and / or funds from the Police Association ?

11. Will you oppose a continued property tax freeze if it continues to diminish social services and programs ?

12 Do you support a rent freeze and will you take specific action to convince the the Provincial government to restore rent control ?

13. Will you support a democratic, citizen-based role in the Waterfront redevelopment ?

14. Will you support allocating funds for investment in new methods of waste reduction, re-use, reduction and disposal instead of the Kirkland Lake dump site ?

Print Ward #

TABLE 1 - OVERALL ANSWERS TO C4LD MUNICIPAL ELECTION QUESTIONNAIRE

QUESTIONS YES NO ? NO + ? % YES

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1. Public consultation on City Charter status. 77 1 3 4 95%

2. More powers for Community Councils 71 6 4 10 88
3. More staff & funding for Community Councils 67 10 4 14 83

4. Reduction/abolition of recreation user fees 67 10 4 14 83

5. No City Olympic funds if City Services suffer. 66 9 6 15 81

6. At least 50% of Olympic housing for social housing 74 2 5 7 91

7. Increased parking fees to support public transit 56 17 8 25 69

8. Reduced property tax for apartment tenants 66 10 5 15 81

9. City Community Services #1 priority 57 14 10 2470

10. Refusal of Police endorsement and funds 61 15 5 20 75

11. No property tax freeze if social services suffer 57 15 9 24 70

12. Support rent freeze and rent control 67 6 8 14 83

13. Support citizen role in Waterfront Development 79 0 2 2 98

underline indicates most divisive issues.

COMMENTS

1. Financial - Most contentious issues are questions 7, 9 & 11 ( only 69 to 70 % support )

2. Governance - High support in questions 1, 2, 3 & 13 ( 83 to 98% )

3. Police endorsement - 75% refuse police endorsement or funds,

4. Waste management - High support in question 14 ( 91% )

5. Olympic social housing - High support for question 6 ( 91% )

6. Waterfront redevelpment - real citizen involvement received highest support ( 98%)