On Thursday October 22nd there was a Ward 30 all candidates discussion at Jimmie Simpson Recreation centre. Candidates Daniel Trayes, Liz West, Paula Fletcher, Jane Farrow, and Francis Russell participated in the event.
The event, called Table Talk, had a different format than a traditional debate. The gym was divided into four sections each focusing on different issues: Community services, housing and development, transportation and the environment and open topics. Participants were asked to choose one of the four sections to sit in, and each candidate would spend fifteen minutes with each group discussing issues.
Jane Farrow with the Transit & Environment Group
The format was interesting and allowed for more in depth interaction with the candidates on a particular topic. It was an interactive evening with community members engaging the candidates in discussions. However some participants expressed disappointment that they had to choose only one topic, and that since the candidates were not debating each other there was no one challening the assertions candidates were making. Having all four groups in the same room made for a loud environment that at times made it difficult to hear the discussion.
I chose to sit in the ‘open topic’ section. The group decided on three questions to ask each candidate: “What will you do to improve wages and working conditions and attract well-paying, stable jobs to neighbourhoods here and across the city? What new revenue tools, if any, will you develop to pay for the city’s public services and aging infrastructure? What are your views on property tax increases corresponding to the rate of inflation?
Don’t erode employment areas and film studios into big box stores. No to poverty jobs. Yes to high paying jobs. – Paula Fletcher
On the question of jobs, both Paula Fletcher and Jane Farrow brought up the point that the city is a very large employer and that it’s important to continue policies of fair hiring and wages. Fletcher discussed her success of preventing the big box stores from being on employment lands on Eastern avenue. Jane Farrow mentioned that the city should consider a broader definition of “employment areas” to get more jobs moving in south of Eastern avenue. Liz West said the city needs to stop “nickel and diming” small businesses and that the city needs to fairly compensate businesses affected by construction road closures. West said that the city needs to do more to promote film productions to come to Toronto. Paula Fletcher was asked what specifically the city is doing to promote filming here and she discussed a range of things including the film commissioner, coordination of permits and street closures for filming, and city employees promoting Toronto down in Los Angeles.
Paula Fletcher talking jobs
When discussing property taxes and revenue tools the candidates generally all agreed that the city cannot afford to reduce it’s revenue stream and that new revenue tools were needed. Jane Farrow seemed the most passionate on this topic and said the city needed to consider congestion charges, tolls and parking levies. Paula Fletcher made it clear that she was opposed to increased user fees for recreation programs, but that tolling the elevated section of the Gardiner Expressway is a good idea since drivers have Lakeshore Avenue as an alternative. She said that she supported levies on parking spaces but that has been hard to pass in city council due to lobbyists influencing other councillors. Liz West said she was “open to discussion” new revenue tools as long as there is transparency around how the money is spent.
Did you attend the event? Let us know what you thought, or sound off with any Ward 30 discussion in our comments section!