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Member Since: 1/2006Last Seen: 4/11/2007

Toronto City Councillors Vote 9% Pay Increase

News Type: Opinion — Fri Jul 28, 2006 10:09 AM EDT
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So Toronto city councillors voted to give themselves a 9% pay increase, bringing the total salary for a council member up to $95,000, and the mayor's to $160,000. Now, I already knew that Toronto's councillors were some of the worst-paid in the country and I do find it kind of embarrassing that Brampton's mayor makes more than ours, but c'mon, 9%? What's a standard raise in the private sector? 3%? Cost-of-living? Does anyone else think it's a bit disingenuous to vote for your own raise? Please believe I'd vote for more money in my pocket every time.

Even though I still think he's a blowhard, I have to admire Rob Ford's sheer talent for point-making:

"Every two weeks we get $2,259.78," Ford (Ward 2, Etobicoke North) said as he waved his pay stub in the chamber. "This is self-serving. This is feathering your own nest."

Burn it, Rob. Light the damn thing on fire and throw it in the mayor's face. That'll show 'em.

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{"commentId":224794,"authorDomain":"hirstopher"}
hirstopher

Whoa! Toronto politics on the vine!

Pitfield opposed the vote: what do you think of her chances for Mayor?

{"commentId":224794,"threadId":"17846","contentId":"303638","authorDomain":"hirstopher"}
    Reply#1 - Fri Jul 28, 2006 12:12 PM EDT
    {"commentId":224804,"authorDomain":"bombtea"}
    bombtea

    Haha I know! Seems that the only news out of Toronto has to do with the Jays, thought I'd spice things up a bit.

    As for Pitfield, I admire her stance against the increase, and she's vowed to make it an election issue, but I really don't think she has a chance of unseating Miller. He knows how to campaign -> grass roots, hit up the community centres, give out 'I <3 Miller' t-shirts. What can I say, Torontonians love free stuff.

    There are a few councillors I really like (read: David Shiner, that guy's GOLD I tell ya'), but on the whole, I think council is full of babies.

    How bout you?

    {"commentId":224804,"threadId":"17846","contentId":"303638","authorDomain":"bombtea"}
      Reply#2 - Fri Jul 28, 2006 12:20 PM EDT
      {"commentId":224824,"authorDomain":"hirstopher"}
      hirstopher

      To be totally honest, I work for Pitfield as a writer, so I think she's got a significant chance, but only because I think this election will blow open in early September. Torontonians don't care right now, because it's beautiful and sunny and who gives a flying f*** about municipal politics when it's nice out?

      I wouldn't count her out, yet. That's for sure. She's a smart woman, and a smarter politician.

      Regarding Miller: He does have some great strategic communications people, but he shoots himself in the foot more often than I'm sure his team would like.

      {"commentId":224824,"threadId":"17846","contentId":"303638","authorDomain":"hirstopher"}
        Reply#3 - Fri Jul 28, 2006 12:35 PM EDT
        {"commentId":224841,"authorDomain":"bombtea"}
        bombtea

        I appreciate the transparency (i.e. I should really watch what I say before I say it ;^p) and you're right, at this point, Torontonians don't really care about muni politics. But why early September?

        Pitfield's stated that she'll make an issue of the pay increase the same way that Miller made the Island bridge an issue in his campaign: do you think it's a case of apples vs. oranges and that the two issues aren't really of the same caliber?

        I'd really like to see someone with some vision, some charisma, become mayor. Toronto needs someone to go to bat for us, instead of wringing hands complaining about lack of funding.

        On that note, I think I'll run for mayor. I hear the pay's pretty good.

        {"commentId":224841,"threadId":"17846","contentId":"303638","authorDomain":"bombtea"}
          Reply#4 - Fri Jul 28, 2006 12:45 PM EDT
          {"commentId":224870,"authorDomain":"hirstopher"}
          hirstopher

          The pay is pretty sweet....

          Early September is when the campaign's really kick off: the sutff you're seeing now are just the opening notes of what looks like a pretty good race. After labour day there's a 10 week period wherein the real fireworks start, plus that's also when the summer ends and people get back to business (and hopefully take some interest in munipolitics).

          I agree that the pay increase thing is a grey area, but then I also disagree that councillors can vote raises for themselves. That's a little ridiculous, if you ask me. As an election issue, it remains to be seen as to whether or not the public will pick up the thread.

          Regarding what you want in a Toronto Mayor: Take a good look at Jane this September and you might find what you're looking for (and I'm not saying that simiply because I work for her). She's smart, she's engaged, and she doesn't play games. I would like Toronto to expand and improve, and I think Jane is probably the best choice for that hope.

          {"commentId":224870,"threadId":"17846","contentId":"303638","authorDomain":"hirstopher"}
            #4.1 - Fri Jul 28, 2006 1:10 PM EDT
            {"commentId":225471,"authorDomain":"crookedevolution"}
            CrookedEvolution

            Everything I've seen and heard about Pitfield indicates she isn't lacking in the vision department. Her plan to re-examine the base budget of the city appeals to me, as I'm sure it still harbours a few remnants of amalgamation and is ripe for a review. She certainly seems more decisive than Miller (I agree with her when she says he's lost his focus), and comes across as very determined to solve some of the cities biggest problems: crime and waste.

            As always, the devil is in the details (or in this case, the lack thereof). Miller also promised a 'made-in-Toronto' solution to city garbage issues, but we never got one. I haven't yet heard enough from Pitfield regarding HOW she plans to accomplish some of these goals. hirstopher, perhaps you can help in that department and direct to where we can learn more about the details of her strategies (I found her website lacking).

            I also agree that councillors having the power to vote themselves raises is ludicrous. Whether it is important enough to be turned into an election issue remains to be seen.

            {"commentId":225471,"threadId":"17846","contentId":"303638","authorDomain":"crookedevolution"}
              #4.2 - Fri Jul 28, 2006 9:53 PM EDT
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