[MetroMan]

"I don't like the idea of the private sector keeping the money," Ford said at the time of the Sun interview, adding the tax appeared to do some good.

"In the grand scheme of things is it better for the environment? Yes. Are people using less plastic bags? Yes," he said.

"But the money is going into the pocket of the private sector which I disagree with. If we're going to use that five cents let's put it towards some sort of environmental program or let's just scrap the five cents."

http://www.torontosun.com/news/torontoandgta/2010/12/30/16709336.html

This is just insane. He sounds like a child: Toronto wouldn't make this money if the program wasn't in place but since we don't get to keep it, nobody will get to keep it. Bad bad businesses get to keep pennies and I don't get any boo hoo hoo. This program wasn't designed to make anybody money. It was designed to reduce plastic bag usage and it worked!

Toronto scores an overwhelming success of 70% reduction and we're going to cancel the whole program all together just because retailers get to keep 0.00001% of their gross sales that a 5¢ bag represents? That's less than a couple of bucks per day for some retailers, under $200 for big box stores. If anything, start a partnership with the biggest users of bags (large grocers) to distribute that money to environmental causes. Leave those making a couple of bucks a day alone and work with the big fish.

 

[GraphicMatt]

The big grocery stores wouldn't stop charging for bags at this point even if the bylaw was removed. Convenience stores might start giving out free bags again, I guess, but who cares?

The worst part is that there's apparently a horde of voters in this city that whine endlessly about the fee. (Ford is only doing this because people he's met personally -- he only has sympathy for people he's met personally - have told him they dislike it.)

What a disgraceful bunch of jerks.

 

[MetroMan]

Simple solution: STOP using the bags. STOP paying the 5¢

I'm pretty much 100% plastic bag free. I had already been refusing bags before the fee and now only on unplanned shopping binges do I ask for bags. If I plan to go shopping, I take a reusable bag with me. When I do use a plastic bag, it gets reused for garbage.

 

[SlickFranky]

I can sort of relate to people whining about the vehicle registration fee. $60 is at least a real amount of money. But anyone who complains about 5c for a plastic bag?...and is so adamant they bring that complaint to the mayor?....they can go fuck themselves.

 

[SlickFranky]

Simple solution: STOP using the bags. STOP paying the 5¢

I'm pretty much 100% plastic bag free. I had already been refusing bags before the fee and now only on unplanned shopping binges do I ask for bags. If I plan to go shopping, I take a reusable bag with me. When I do use a plastic bag, it gets reused for garbage.

Same. Except I use my occasional plastic bags to leave my occasional empty beer cans and wine bottles at the sidewalk. Saves me the trouble of returning them, saves them the trouble of digging through my blue-box. Ford would be shocked at how little I care about nickels and dimes.

 

[Prometheus The Supremo]

But anyone who complains about 5c for a plastic bag?...and is so adamant they bring that complaint to the mayor?....they can go fuck themselves.

and you know they'll do it with a plastic bag over their head. actually, that could be the reason for their issues in the first place.

 

[PinkLucy]

I think the bag fee rocks. I think it should be higher. It made a huge positive difference in shopping behaviour. It shouldn't be cancelled because a few people whine. Given that so many people made a significant behavioural change in such a short period of time should indicate that the majority of people are fine with the fee and with using their own bags. However, Ford being Ford will respond to the squeaky wheel who calls him. Perhaps if those of us who have no issues with the bag fee call and say "leave it alone", he might just do that. However, I think he'd rather be seen as making a change (whether it's for the better or not doesn't matter) than being seen as not doing something -- even if he's trying to fix something that "ain't broke".

 

[junctionist]

He should only scrap the bag fee if he has an alternate scheme. But can he do it without hiring more bureaucrats and spending city money?

 

[MetroMan]

I can sort of relate to people whining about the vehicle registration fee. $60 is at least a real amount of money. But anyone who complains about 5c for a plastic bag?...and is so adamant they bring that complaint to the mayor?....they can go fuck themselves.

Just as we expected: Ford is going to be the official Toronto secretary. Using up his time taking petty calls and solving problems that save pennies while allowing big problems to mount that lose the city millions. We need a Mayor. It looks like soon enough we'll get a visionary in council to take that job, even if unofficially.

 

[Admiral Beez]

It's not about the 5c fee, it's about the nanny state interfering in your daily lives. If plastic bags are evil, then make it illegal for stores to provide them in Toronto, and illegal for firms to produce or import them in Ontario.

 

[Irishmonk]

We need a Mayor. It looks like soon enough we'll get a visionary in council to take that job, even if unofficially.

Just out of curiosity, whom are you referring to? A leader of the anit-Fordites (Vaughan, Carrol), one of Ford's minions, or his dear older brother?

 

[Prometheus The Supremo]

It's not about the 5c fee, it's about the nanny state interfering in your daily lives. If plastic bags are evil, then make it illegal for stores to provide them in Toronto, and illegal for firms to produce or import them in Ontario.

but wouldn't that be taking the nannny state to the extreme? if anything, the 5 cent fee is the state forcing capitalism on retailers with environmentallly positive side effects. free bags was a bit socialist if you ask me. you getting pinko on us?

 

[MetroMan]

Just out of curiosity, whom are you referring to? A leader of the anit-Fordites (Vaughan, Carrol), one of Ford's minions, or his dear older brother?

I'm suggesting that if Ford continues to ignore the big things that the city needs to work on to focus on returning every call to his office, then a sector of council will begin taking the reigns and emerge as a defacto Mayor. It may be Vaughan but I think a more centrist councillor like Carrol could be the one.

The fact is Ford is setting himself up for a huge failure on Transit City. There's no way council and Metrolinx are going to support cancelling all of TC to build Sheppard as a subway. He's going to look weak when he fails on this and whoever is the leader of the "opposition" will take it as an opportunity to propose a realistic alternative. If that passes, we have a new "Mayor".

 

[Danielinthecity]

He'll be so proud

Note the last point...he'll be sooo proud...makes me sick.
If all the leftist pinkos weren't too hungover tomorrow, they could all show up on their bikes sipping lattes...

As to the thread, I sincerely hope what your forecast comes true...Vauhgan would be a good 'fill in'.

======================
Media Advisory December 31, 2010

Mayor Ford to officially mark the repeal of the Personal Vehicle Tax
Saturday, January 1, 2011
11:15 a.m.
Toronto Chrysler, 321 Front St. (major intersection is Front and Parliament streets)

NOTES:
• Media are required to present proper identification if requested.
• Media are asked to arrive by 11:10 a.m.
• Media should enter through the most western entrance off Front Street.
Parking will be available.
======================

 

[GraphicMatt]

Haha, holy shit, the mayor of Toronto is holding a press event in a new car lot.