Era of Entitlement at City Hall Must End
Toronto City Council often demonstrates some of the most brazen abuse of citizens you will find in government. Whether it’s annual tax increases double the rate of inflation, new service fees, unchecked spending and waste, fighting to preserve their pay increases, perks and goodies – even as the City struggles with massive deficits. It’s all wrong and demonstrates how out of touch they are with reality. Our taxes are going to go up again this year, probably by 4-5% to keep up with out of control spending and to solve a half billion dollar deficit that includes crass moves like paying each other’s legal bills.
The Heaps vote demonstrated a new level of inappropriate behaviour among Councillors. They voted for something they knew was indefensible, and not legally allowed, even after being advised by the City Solicitor. Those who stuck around to vote in favour of this motion do have some explaining to do, and let’s hope this current legal action against them will begin to wise Councillors up to the fact that they aren’t lifers with fiefdoms, but instead, representatives with four year terms.
It’s worth noting the legal actions funded by Council for other Councillors have related to election stuff. Councillors are notorious tax dollar abusers during campaigns, whether it’s having their campaign run by a member of their staff who draws their salary and does little City work, or using their office budgets for some final flashy ‘look at me’ pieces just before the vote.
I hope the Toronto Party and others continue to hold Councillors who misappropriate our money for their financial gain accountable. I know personally whether I win or lose, I will never allow myself to fall into the trap of self-service nor will I sit by and condone others abusing or misusing taxpayer money for financial gain. Residents work too hard, get taxed too much and don’t get enough in return already. Perhaps if we had a fresher stock on Council, members would think like taxpayers, and the bubble that allows them to act the way they do could be broken.
I would hope to see the next Council wash it’s hands of the practice of paying the legal fees of Councillors, and for Council to impose internal watchdog standards to end self interested, self serving spending by Councillors for Councillors.
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Tags: Adrian Heaps Payout, Toronto City Council, Toronto City Council Sued, Toronto Party Lawsuit, Ward 35
