53 community organizations and City Councillors to MPPs: Reject Bill 39!

In less than 24 hours, 53 signatories including 10 City Councillors came together to send a message to all Members of the Provincial Parliament on the eve of a vote: reject Bill 39!

Dear Member of Provincial Parliament:

We are writing to urge you to not pass Bill 39, a bill put forward without consultation of, or input from, Toronto residents.

We dedicate our time and service to making life better for the people of Toronto. Across our city, we see growing crises in housing, health, poverty, safety, and climate. We need and deserve better — and the solutions are possible. But the path to better solutions is through more and better representation and democratic engagement, not less.

By allowing the Mayor of Toronto to pass by-laws with the support of only one-third of City Councillors, the “Better Municipal Governance Act” removes the basic and fundamental principle of democracy: majority rule.

No policy, no challenge, no solution even, warrants the end of majority rule. Minority rule will not solve the crises facing our city.

The people most impacted by crises — and by programs, services, and cuts — offer the greatest insight into how things can be improved, and must be heard from, either directly or through the representatives they elected to Council. By diminishing the voices of their local representatives, Bill 39 will make it even harder for people to be engaged and to shape the policies that impact their lives.

If we take away the ability of a majority of City Councillors to advocate on behalf of communities, we take away well-rounded and informed decision-making, remove crucial checks and balances, and cut the majority of voices out of decisions.

A successful democracy is about power in the hands of the people. Strengthening local voices and improving access and representation in our cities improves people's lives. Bill 39 is a step in the opposite direction. We urge you to not pass Bill 39.

Signed,

  1. Jin Huh, Social Planning Toronto
  2. Miranda Saroli, Access Alliance Multicultural Health and Community Services
  3. Nasima Akter, Bangladeshi-Canadian Community Services
  4. Elene Lam, Butterfly
  5. Cathy Lacroix, Citizens' Climate Lobby Toronto
  6. Councillor Alejandra Bravo, Davenport, City of Toronto
  7. Councillor Lily Cheng, Willowdale, City of Toronto
  8. Councillor Mike Colle, Eglinton–Lawrence, City of Toronto
  9. Councillor Paula Fletcher, Toronto–Danforth, City of Toronto
  10. Councillor Ausma Malik, Spadina–Fort York, City of Toronto
  11. Councillor Josh Matlow, Toronto–St. Paul’s, City of Toronto
  12. Councillor Chris Moise, Toronto Centre, City of Toronto
  13. Councillor Amber Morley, Etobicoke–Lakeshore, City of Toronto
  14. Councillor Jamaal Myers, Scarborough North, City of Toronto
  15. Councillor Gord Perks, Parkdale–High Park, City of Toronto
  16. Michael Barkley, Climate Action for Lifelong Learners
  17. Rivka Goetz, Climate Justice Toronto
  18. Lyn Adamson, ClimateFast
  19. Corina John, College-Montrose Children's Place
  20. Gabrielle Langlois, Davenport Perth Neighbourhood & Community Health Centre
  21. Melanie Howe, Ecologos Environmental Organization
  22. Iren Tajbakhsh, Elizabeth Fry Toronto
  23. Sunder Singh, Elspeth Heyworth Centre for Women
  24. John Ryerson, Faith in the City
  25. Chris Brillinger, Family Service Toronto
  26. Sunday Harrison, Green Thumbs Growing Kids
  27. Sarah Van Exan, Green Wave West
  28. Jeanne Françoise Mouè, La Maison
  29. Keddonen Dias, LAMP Community Health Centre
  30. Bonnie Hunter, North York Community House
  31. Iris Fabbro, North York Women’s Centre
  32. Andrea Hatala, ODSP Action Coalition
  33. Anne Gloger, Openly Connected
  34. Victor Willis, Parkdale Activity–Recreation Centre
  35. Michal Hay, Progress Toronto
  36. Right to Housing Toronto
  37. Robert Acheson, Science for Peace
  38. Martin Bush, Seniors for Climate Action Now!
  39. Bianca Wylie, Tech Reset Canada
  40. John Beebe, The Democratic Engagement Exchange, TMU
  41. Kumsa Baker, Toronto Community Benefits Network
  42. Jane Szilvassy, Toronto Council on Aging
  43. Cathy Nosaty, Toronto East End Climate Collective
  44. Sarah Buchanan, Toronto Environmental Alliance
  45. Jacinta McDonnell, Toronto Health Save
  46. Sree Nallamothu, Toronto Neighbourhood Centres
  47. Cara Eaton, Volunteer Toronto
  48. Maureen Fair, West Neighbourhood House
  49. Jane Wang, Woman Abuse Council of Toronto
  50. Mallory Hilkewich, WomanACT
  51. Chiara Padovani, York South-Weston Tenant Union
  52. Suzette Arruda-Santos, Yorktown Family Services
  53. Heather McGregor, YWCA Toronto

 

Image: "Ontario Legislative Building" by Jeff Hitchock is licensed under CC BY 2.0

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