MichaelWalker.ca - City of Toronto Act and Governing Toronto

City of Toronto Act & Governing Toronto News: (VIEW BILL 53)

Discussed at the June 20th, 2006 Policy & Finance Committee meeting. Please take a look at the reports.
- New Governance Structure/Strong Mayor Proposal
- Property Assessment System in City of Toronto/Property Tax Collection

Remarks by Councillor Michael Walker to the Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs Concerning Bill 81, (4-year terms - view Bill 81) - May 4 , 2006 - View Video Clip

Remarks by Councillor Michael Walker's Executive Assistant, Chris Sellors, to the Standing Committee on General Government Concerning Bill 53, City of Toronto Act, 2006 - April 26 , 2006 - View Video Clip

Mayor Miller's report from the Fiscal Review Panel
- Highlights
- Full Report

Does the Mayor need more power?
- Toronto Star - Miller's blind ambition tour - April 5. 2008
- Toronto Star - Mayor defends push for more power - April 5, 2008 Friday, November 28, 2008 3:58 PM
- Toronto Star - Toronto doesn't need a corporate-style CEO - April 7, 2008

The Agenda with Steve Paikin - Strong Mayor, Strong City?

Tuesday, March 18, 2008

Does the City Manager have the power to selectively amend the approved 2007 budget?
- Media Release - City Council requested to review City Manager's independent cost-cutting actions - September 5, 2007
- Independent Legal Opinion from Gowlings
- City Solicitor's Legal Opinion on City Manager Shirley Hoy's cost containment measures
  Prepared on August 20, 2007 - Distributed to Toronto City Councillors on September 26, 2007
- Notice of Motion requesting special City Council meeting
- City of Toronto's finance website on this topic

Related articles:
- September 5, 2007:
  - 680 News - City budget cuts called &quotillegal&quot
  - CBC News - Toronto councillor says city doesn't have authority to implement cuts
  - Mirror/Guardian - Councillors challenging city manager&rsquos budget cuts
  - Toronto Star - Has the city looked at all options?
  - Toronto Star - Miller plans new tax offensive
  - Toronto Star - City cuts questioned
- September 6, 2007
  - Globe and Mail - Mayor accused of 'short-circuiting' democracy
  - Toronto Star - Are the budget cuts legal?
  - City Centre Mirror - Councillor's ideas shot down at executive committee meeting
- September 22, 2007
  - Toronto Star - Miller's Council: Petty, divided, stubborn
- September 26, 2007
  - Globe and Mail - Reopening centres likely on agenda
  - CBC.ca - Heated debate expected as council considers reopening community centres
  - CTV.ca - Council votes to reopen rec. centres full-time
  - Toronto Star - Centres to re-open Mondays
- September 28, 2007
  - Toronto Sun - Council kiboshes session on cuts

September 7th, 2007 - Community Development and Recreation Committee
Councillor David Shiner attempts to introduce a motion to keep community centres open. Chair Joe Mihevc will not allow item to be introduced. Please watch parts 1 and 2 below:

City of Toronto Act: Bill 53 (Approved by Province June 12, 2006 - Given Royal Assent)

Councillor Walker's Submission to Provincial Standing Committee on Government - April 26, 2006
Staff Report (from City Manager and City Solicitor) RE: Bill 53 - January 12, 2006
Developing Proposed Legislation For Toronto - December 14, 2005
Clause From Council - December 5-7, 2005
Main Report from the Governing Toronto Advisory Panel - November 23, 2005

Policy and Finance Committee - November 29, 2005 - Report of the Governing Toronto Advisory Panel: “The City We Want – The Government We Need” (Report 11, Clause 1) - See video clips below