With less than a day until the polls open for the Ontario election, many observers are wondering why issues affecting the city of Toronto weren't a bigger factor in the campaign.
City council resolved in the summer that it would pester the three provincial party leaders for more money. But through the campaign, Toronto and its looming budget crisis have repeatedly taken a back seat to other issues — especially the funding of religious schools.
In July, city council said this wouldn't happen. It decided to make Toronto the No. 1 election issue.
Since then, city hall has been largely silent.
Councillor Case Ootes asked Mayor David Miller directly why he has refused to get tough with the provincial leaders.
"Put them on the spot as to when they're going to live up to their responsibility," said Ootes. "Instead you pussyfooted around with them. Why?"
Miller has said little about the election since mid-September when he declared all three party platforms inadequate.
"Not one of them acts quickly enough to secure the services we need today, let alone begin investments in the future," the mayor said at the time.
In the past week, Miller has started talking tougher — but with the federal government.
When Ottawa announced it has a $14-billion surplus, Miller angrily demanded that some of that money come to Toronto.
As for the provincial leaders, Miller praised Liberal Dalton McGuinty for agreeing with him that Ottawa should hand over more money to cities.
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Ontario Votes 2007 »
- McGuinty wins massive majority, Tory loses seat
- Dalton McGuinty won a second majority government for the Liberals in Ontario on Wednesday night, a triumph for a party that earlier expressed fears of a drop to minority status.
- Ontario rejects electoral reform in referendum
- Ontario voters have rejected a proposed electoral reform that would have seen some provincial legislators chosen based on a party's share of the popular vote, results showed Thursday.
- Ontario voter turnout a record low
- The percentage of eligible voters casting ballots in Wednesday's Ontario election hit an all-time low despite changes introduced in an effort to boost turnout.
- Ont. Green party scores 8 per cent of vote
- No Green party candidates made it to the Ontario legislature in Wednesday's election, but that defeat was sweetened by a swell in their share of the popular vote, which more than doubled.
- McGuinty only leader not facing leadership questions
- Liberal Leader Dalton McGuinty won re-election in Ottawa South and NDP Leader Howard Hampton again won his northern Ontario riding of Kenora-Rainy River. PC Leader John Tory was defeated.
District Profiles
More Ontario Votes Headlines »
- McGuinty wins massive majority, Tory loses seat
- Dalton McGuinty won a second majority government for the Liberals in Ontario on Wednesday night, a triumph for a party that earlier expressed fears of a drop to minority status.
- Ontario rejects electoral reform in referendum
- Ontario voters have rejected a proposed electoral reform that would have seen some provincial legislators chosen based on a party's share of the popular vote, results showed Thursday.
- Ontario voter turnout a record low
- The percentage of eligible voters casting ballots in Wednesday's Ontario election hit an all-time low despite changes introduced in an effort to boost turnout.
- Ont. Green party scores 8 per cent of vote
- No Green party candidates made it to the Ontario legislature in Wednesday's election, but that defeat was sweetened by a swell in their share of the popular vote, which more than doubled.
- McGuinty only leader not facing leadership questions
- Liberal Leader Dalton McGuinty won re-election in Ottawa South and NDP Leader Howard Hampton again won his northern Ontario riding of Kenora-Rainy River. PC Leader John Tory was defeated.
