Canada: Will reduce size and cost of government, says Ontario premier Ford
Toronto, Sept 11 (IBNS): Reacting to a judge's blockage of Ontario's plan to reduce Toronto Council seats, premier Doug Ford stood firm in his decision.
Justice Edward P. Belobaba ruled on Monday that the reduction of the council seats by the Better Local Government Act violated the rights of Torontonians.
He said the reduction has taken away the freedom of expression of the Torontonians.
Ford said his government will take action to "ensure the Better Local Government Act remains in effect".
Ford tweeted, "Today I announced that our government will take immediate action to ensure the Better Local Government Act remains in effect as passed by Ontario’s democratically elected legislature. We will reduce the size and cost of government while reducing dysfunction at Toronto City Hall."
Today I announced that our government will take immediate action to ensure the Better Local Government Act remains in effect as passed by Ontario’s democratically elected legislature. We will reduce the size and cost of government while reducing dysfunction at Toronto City Hall. pic.twitter.com/2AGfby1YkU
— Doug Ford (@fordnation) September 11, 2018
He said in a follow up tweet, "We will immediately recall Ontario’s Legislature and invoke Section 33 of the Constitution to ensure the Better Local Government Act is preserved in time for the October 22 Municipal Election. We will also immediately appeal today's decision to the Ontario Court of Appeal."
We will immediately recall Ontario’s Legislature and invoke Section 33 of the Constitution to ensure the Better Local Government Act is preserved in time for the October 22 Municipal Election. We will also immediately appeal today's decision to the Ontario Court of Appeal.
— Doug Ford (@fordnation) September 11, 2018
Toronto City Council had earlier voted to challenge Ontario Premier Doug Ford's decision to cut number of seats from earlier 47 to 25.
Toronto Council voted 27-15 to challenge the decision taken by the Progressive Conservative (PC)-led provincial government.
The bill was introduced by Ontario premier Doug Ford in July.
The premier even compared Ontario to Los Angeles, a city with a population of four million, which has only 15 city councillors.
Ford said the legislation, if passed, will save around $25 million of tax payers' money.
"I think Toronto taxpayers will be happy to trade a bunch of politicians at city hall for millions of dollars that can be reinvested in the city’s pressing priorities" Ford added.
The previous government, which was led by the Liberals, had increased the number of council seats from 44 to 47 in 2016.
Ford said his Progressive Conservative (PC) government is also planning to halt the previous government's decision to form elected regional chairs in Peel, York, Niagara and Muskoka regions.
(Reporting by Suman Das)
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