What a den of snakes — especially councillors Michelle Berardinetti, Gary Crawford, Glenn De Baeremaeker, Mary Fragedakis, Cesar Palacio, Anthony Peruzza and Jaye Robinson. Just two years ago they voted with the majority of city council to reform the way we vote in city elections. On Thursday night, they quietly reversed field and overturned one of the truly commendable exercises in local democracy.
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Di Ciano, backed by a foul faction of the new council, attempted to turn back the clock even before it is set.
He argues that the proposed voting procedure is too complex (Di Ciano must consider Oakland, Portland, San Francisco and Minneapolis residents smarter than his). Queen’s Park should ensure public consultations before allowing it, the motion says. (Wish Di Ciano took his own advice and sought such consultation before proposing a motion to reverse a council decision that came after public consultation.)
Worse, council voted to ask the province to abandon the option, period. In other words, not only does Toronto council not want it for its election, it doesn’t want it for any municipality in the province. Such arrogance.
