Mayor Ford’s Political Administration of Fiscal Prudence and Transparency

Despite his personal problems along with constantly being held under a microscope by the media and his political challengers at City Hall and on council his administrations fiscal prudence for his four year term as Mayor has kept Toronto's operating budget increases $400 MILLION over four years and held tax increase for residents to 7.2% from 2011 to 2014! 

A historic achievement on behalf of Toronto property taxpayers!

Especially when compared to the 14.45% tax increases for residential property by the previous Mayoralty administration's last fours 2010 to 2007!

Mayor Ford's administration's averaged property tax increase over four years comes in at 1.8% compared to the previous administration' four year average of 3.61% and 26.45% full term. 

Inflation for the Miller administration's full term was 12.7% and the inflation for the current administration's four-year term is 6.5%. (1.2% projected for 2014)

It should be obvious to Toronto taxpayers that the Mayor's personal problems, as uncomfortable as they are, have had NO effect on his political agenda of keeping tax increases low and in line with inflation. 

A promise his Mayoralty predecessor made to Toronto residents yet failed to delivery and did not keep. 

With Mayor Ford's administration the taxpayers of Toronto are getting the best financial tax deal they have had since amalgamation and it can still be greatly improved for our community of one Toronto if his colleagues on council would stop their parochialism's, political filibustering and backstabbing because with the exception of the Mayor, Councillors do not accept the fact that they represent Toronto as one city community!

Metro council over a century and a half (16 years) after amalgamation continues to be a completely dysfunctional council with 44 members plus a Mayor (two per ward, compared to one MP and one MPP for the same Toronto geographic area). Twice as many career politicians as it should or is required!

Mayor Ford was elected directly by 383,501 voters and the previous mayor was elected by 332,969.  

The former Mayor Miller administration’s operating budgets were as follows: 2010 $ 9.2 Billion, 2009 $ 8.7, 2008 $ 8.2, 2007 $7.8, 2006 $ 7.6, 2005 $7.1 and 2004 $ 6.6 Billion.

The current elected Mayor Ford's administration’s operating budgets are as follows:  2011 $ 9.383 Billion, 2012 $ 9.400, 2013 $ 10.858 and 2014 $ 9.600 Billion.

Source: http://www1.toronto.ca/wps/portal/contentonly?vgnextoid=c8e619b125cd1410VgnVCM10000071d60f89RCRD

Then on the other hand of the provincial political spectrum at Queens Park under the administration of the provincial Liberal party and its leader Kathleen Wynne, elected as party leader by 1,150 liberal delegates. 

Recently introduced her liberal party’s budget for Ontario that had $1.9 BILLION 1 year increase in DEBT and Spending from the current debt of $9.8 Billion to $11.7 Billion in 2014!

With spending increasing by $3.7 BILLION from the current $124 Billion projected to $127.6 in just one year!

In addition to a $24 Billion increase in total DEBT that brings Ontario's total debt to $281 Billion which is $3 Billion above their last projection! 

Not a prudent  budget rather a classic breach of fiduciary duty and due diligence that continues to set aside any semblance of the obligation by this liberal political party’s government to act honestly, in good faith and in the best interest of citizens, in my humble opinion!

Yet Torontonians are obsessed with the personal problems of Mayor Ford while his administration at the same time has prudently managed to keep Toronto’s operating budget balanced as mandated by legislation and over four years as held residential property tax increase to 7.2% for his entire term of four years and increased the operating budgets by $400 Million over the same four years!

A historic achievement for the taxpayers of Toronto by this politically prudent and transparent Mayor Ford and his administration regardless of his unfortunate personal problems.

Have we become anarchists and forgotten that all of us are created equal and all are equally imperfect as we still have unequal laws and taxes created by unjust people, peter CLARKE 2010!

Updated May 2014

http://www.torontosun.com/2014/05/04/taking-a-second-look-at-mayor-rob-fords-fiscal-record

UPDATE March 2014.

Because the Star and Royson James make statements and claims to contradict both Pennachetti and Rossinni along with the Mayor does not make them factual or true. You be the judge!

http://www.thestar.com/news/city_ha ll/2014/03/29/budget_confusion_lets_ford_get_away_with_1b_savings_claim_james.html

Toronto Residential Property Tax Needs Reforming

During the past decade taxpaying citizens of Ontario have seen the provincial government and Toronto city council commence tax reform for business property tax but NOT for residential property taxes!

In October 2007 Councilors’ as suggested by non-elected technocrats and bureaucrats approved reducing business property tax by the  report  "Update to Enhancing Toronto's Business Climate" status that highlights 12 new initiatives to enhance the city's competitiveness over the long term! 

The honestly and realistic speaking result has simply been to shift the tax burden of about $ 2 BILLION annual dollars from business to our residential property taxpayers across the province and city that has continued to increase the financial pressures on Toronto, other cities and municipalities throughout the GTHA and across the entire province. 

In 2003 Toronto's operating budget was $ 6.400 Billion. Now in 2018, it has jumped to $11.12 Billion an increase of 73.75%  

Since that time after amalgamation Toronto’s career politicians on behalf of residential property taxpayers including our seniors on fixed pensions and lower-income earners saw fit to increase residential property taxes by 30.95%. *(not including the 2.71% proposed RPT increase for 2014 & 1.13% corporate property tax increase 0.75 plus .48 ) Councillors for the same period increased business property taxes by a mere 10.557%. Inflation for the same period was 17.9%! *Source https://archive-it.org/organizations/75?show=Sites&fc=meta_Subject%3ABudget--ontario--toronto  

The Toronto unemployment rate for youth in 2003 stood at 16.4% . After the business property tax reductions the unemployment rate for our Toronto youth jumped to 19.8%(non-adjusted for seasonality) which was significantly higher than the 14.2% national figure.

In 2003, $ 58,200 was the median salary in Toronto while a member of council had a salary of $ 65,852 which represented a difference of 13%. Today a Councilor’s salary is $ 104,147 and the median Toronto salary stands at $ 77,400. A difference of 34.5%!

Remember that just over 47% of Toronto residential property taxpayers have an annual average household income of under $ 53,000 and account for approximately 400,000 private households throughout our ONE community of Toronto. And that the average median income for a one person household is under$ 46,000 in Toronto.

Hopefully a majority of Toronto taxpayers come October shall realize that a political life long career of Councilors’ has NOT resulted in a financially prudent bunch of Councilors’ at the public trough they have controlled at the peoples City hall for 10 or 20 years.

Remember that just over 47% of Toronto residential property taxpayers have an annual average household income of under  

$53,000 and account for approximately 400,000 private households throughout our ONE Toronto community.

The Toronto social slogan may be Putting People First but the reality has become business and career Councilors’ come first at council and residential property taxpayers bear the brunt of Toronto’s business property tax reductions and council’s chronic spending habits.

We should be electing Councilors’ who are demanding limitations on residential property assessments and tax limitations on behalf fixed income seniors and low income earners commencing with the 2015 budget process and have the political courage to greatly reduce non-mandated city services. 

And not simply with a deferment of tax increases for seniors on fixed pensions and low wage earners but a cap on such residential property taxes until these properties are sold in the future.

Scandinavian countries have shown the world that it is far less expensive and greatly reduces long term residential health care costs when those on fixed income pensioners and low wage earners can comfortably and affordably remain in their own households.

If the province and city can reform and reduce business property tax then Torontonians surely can elect Councilors’ who have the long term vision that people not business actually come first and outweigh the greed of economics. 

Councilors’ are supposed to represent the people and not simply increase their own earnings capabilities at the direct expense of residential property taxpayers. 

Q Tax shift? What is that?

A. A tax shift is a change in taxes that will eliminate or reduces some taxes while adding or increasing others, keeping the overall revenue stable. Mandated by the province, it seeks to shift the property tax burden away from the commercial and industrial property owners and onto the residential class. The shift is happening gradually and, according to the city website, Toronto is on track to meet its target by 2017. In the meantime, it means any tax increase voted into the 2014 budget by council will include an extra 0.48% to accommodate that shift. Natalie Alcoba National Post 

City of Toronto Financial Statement
@http://www1.toronto.ca/wps/portal/contentonly?vgnextoid=c8e619b125cd1410VgnVCM10000071d60f89RCRD

UPDATE March 2014.

Because the Star and Royson James make statements and claims to contradict both Pennachetti and Rossinni along with the Mayor does not make them factual or true. You be the judge!

http://www.thestar.com/news/city_ha ll/2014/03/29/budget_confusion_lets_ford_get_away_with_1b_savings_claim_james.html

Article Sources:

http://www1.toronto.ca/static_files/economic_development_and_culture/docs/Sectors_Reports/fiscalbenefits_localgeneration.pdf

http://munkschool.utoronto.ca/imfg/uploads/202/imfg_no.10_online_june25.pdf

https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/nhs-enm/2011/dp-pd/prof/details/page.cfm?Lang=E&Geo1=CSD&Code1=3520005&Data=Count&SearchText=toronto&SearchType=Begins&SearchPR=35&A1=All&B1=All&Custom=

http://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2007/ex/reports/2007-06-25-ex10-cc-dit2.pdf

http://www.toronto.ca/city_budget/budget_summaries.htm#2004

http://canadianinflation.com/historical-canadian-inflation-rates/

http://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/2004/agendas/council/cc040518/adm3rpt/cl036.pdf

http://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2013/ex/bgrd/backgroundfile-57380.pdf

http://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/2002/agendas/council/cc020416/adm4rpt/cl026.pdf

http://www.stats.gov.nl.ca/statistics/Labour/PDF/UnempRate.pdf

http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/vitalsigns/2012/10/02/torontos_vital_signs_report_2012.html

http://www.statcan.gc.ca/tables-tableaux/sum-som/l01/cst01/famil107a-eng.htm

http://www.statcan.gc.ca/tables-tableaux/sum-som/l01/cst01/labor35-eng.htm

http://www.urbancentre.utoronto.ca/pdfs/elibrary/TCF_Tor-Vital-Signs_2004.pdf

http://www.statcan.gc.ca/tables-tableaux/sum-som/l01/cst01/famil05c-eng.htm

http://www.statcan.gc.ca/daily-quotidien/040526/dq040526d-eng.htm

http://www.fin.gov.on.ca/en/economy/ecupdates/factsheet.html

http://www.statcan.gc.ca/daily-quotidien/130627/dq130627c-eng.htm

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/who-are-the-1-per-cent-a-snapshot-of-what-canadians-earn/article14269972/?page=all

http://c.ymcdn.com/sites/www.realpac.ca/resource/resmgr/research/2013_realpac_-_altus_propert.pdf

http://www.tradingeconomics.com/canada/inflation-cpi

http://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2014/cc/bgrd/backgroundfile-66302.pdf

Merry Christmas, Happy New Year and Holiday Season Greetings to ALL

Throughout the year let us remember ALL those who gave their life so that today we can celebrate ALL the various holidays, thanks to a system of open and participatory democracy.

The best to everyone, your families, friends and associates along with many, many, many, many exciting, active and healthy years ahead for EVERYONE!

May your individual beliefs be with you throughout the year!

Warmest regards,

Peter Clarke 

All considered, raising the minimum wage is a poor policy!

Over the past decade stats along with common sense and logic confirm and have indicated that raising the cost of labour (increasing the minimum wage) reduces employment and employment opportunities.

Further, a minimum wage increase of 10% has proven to lead to an overall 5% to 6% employment reduction in employment opportunities for our teens and youth according to the U of T professor and respected economist Morley Gunderson.

Raising the minimum wage by 15%, 20% or 25% will not increase 

employment for anyone and would do them a great disservice. It further would contribute to the deterioration in the quality of our labour force.

Also, higher labour costs ultimately show up in higher prices. All considered, raising the minimum wage is a poor policy.

”Should a policy be enacted that gives 10 people an extra $40 a week, but whacks the 11th girl or guy? Shouldn't the terrible disruption to the lives of those who are fired be more of a concern to us than the extra money for those who are not? Is it right to redistribute from the worse-off poor to the better-off poor?”

There are more effective ways to help the poor that do not destroy employment opportunities. Such as an earned income tax credit that gets money to the working poor or a tax subsidy for firms that hire low-wage workers.

Both are without the disincentives that accompany all increased minimum wage politically expedient policies put forth by politicians as endorsed by their respective political parties and supported by their lobbyists and union contributors.

Religious Expressions confined to Houses of Worship, Not the Service Counters or Halls of Governments.

Governments that are formed by religious doctrine and use the power of government to support a religious belief undermines democracy and a free society.

Religion or religious cultures must not be used as the essential device for holding a democratic society together.

In an open, transparent and honest democracy there must always remain a separation between religion and government.

Religious neutrality by government demands that the halls, offices and institutions of the government are not used as the places for religious expression by any individual employee’s religious or atheist’s beliefs.

Diversity within a democracy cannot be defended by the male’s individual’s political-religious cultural traditions that coerce, female children, young girls and women to be self stigmatized and isolated within Canadian communities by demanding that they wear a religious symbol such as the niqab and burka!

For over 1400 years Muslim women have been explicitly prohibited by their religion from covering their faces and identity if they wished to pray in the Ka’aba, holiest house of God and the Muslim’s grand mosque!

As such in Quebec and throughout Canada, with all our customs, traditions and respect for women and children, our governments must not now be obliged to accept those who are committed to wearing a niqab or burka in government offices or institutions.

Quebec’s and Canada’s freedom of religion must recognize, rely on and uphold the truth and reject the false and wrongs of an interpretation of the Muslim religion that continues to be used to impose the worst king of no freedoms and stigmatization of women and children.     

The government of Quebec is showing leadership with the introduction of a values charter for government workers.

That at least attempts once and for all to take the veil off the lies Islamists use as propaganda in promoting their political-religious ideology.  

The wearing of a niqab or burka is coerced barbaric cultural traditions that have NO connection to Islam or the Quran and further limits the fundamental rights of women and children.

By banning the wearing of a niqab or burka by government employees the Quebec government is effectively telling Muslims specifically and others generally to practice one’s religion at home or in a place of worship and adopt one of Quebec's and Canadian values for the respect of women and children. 

For over 1400 years Muslim women have had to remove such cultural veils if they wished to pray. It is past time that the niqab and burka be permanently banned in all Canadian and Provincial government offices and institutions.

Multiculturalism a Failure in Quebec and Canada?

The Liberal Party’s cherished socialist progressive socialist ideologies for a communal society—built on shared values of divergent cultures crammed within Canada’s national boundaries—have caused endless cultural conflicts rather than harmony. This vision has proven to be a failure throughout Canada, Quebec, and even in the European community of nations.

Unfortunately, many immigrants who have come to Canada over the past 40 years have done so to benefit from social programs—such as free healthcare and taxpayer-funded handouts—rather than to contribute meaningfully to society. Politicians who have used taxpayer funds to bolster their agendas have exacerbated this issue.

Under progressive doctrines of state multiculturalism, it has become glaringly obvious that various cultures are encouraged to live separately—apart from the Canadian mainstream and even from each other. This segregation fosters isolation rather than integration, ultimately leading to cultural clashes, extremism, and even the growth of homegrown terrorism.

Many immigrants arrive with cultural and religious baggage that perpetuates the clash of civilizations from their home countries. These ideologies and practices often run counter to Canadian laws and values. By residing in isolated enclaves, they avoid embracing Canada’s way of life, laws, and cultural fabric. This has been tolerated far too long, despite contradicting the values Canadians fought to preserve in two world wars.

While respecting cultural differences is important, Canada and Quebec must function as one national community—not merely as a coexistence of segregated cultural groups. Forcing Canadian citizens to adapt to external cultural practices or laws undermines our identity. Try such policies in Africa, Asia, or the Middle East and see how they are received!

Canada was founded on Judeo-Christian values, recognizing the supremacy of God and the rule of law. Immigration policies must ensure that newcomers accept and embrace the principles of unity and integration. Those unwilling to integrate should not be welcome in Canada or Quebec.

Moreover, Canadians must not tolerate extremism or racism from anyone, regardless of colour, creed, or background. Equality must be the cornerstone of our society—ensuring no individual’s rights are valued over another’s, whether those rights pertain to race, religion, gender, or ideology.

Prioritizing Underprivileged Canadians First

Before addressing the needs of newcomers, Canada must prioritize its own underprivileged citizens. Neglecting the most vulnerable Canadians risks creating resentment among them, as they may perceive immigrants as receiving preferential treatment while they remain in poverty.

1. Address Poverty: Robust social programs should uplift struggling Canadian citizens through affordable housing, accessible healthcare, and job training.
2. Equitable Resource Allocation: Transparent allocation of resources ensures citizens feel their needs are prioritized without favouritism toward immigrants.
3. Employment Prioritization: Policies that prioritize Canadian-born workers for jobs will help stabilize economic disparities.

By addressing these issues, we can ensure underprivileged Canadians feel valued and supported before expanding resources to integrate newcomers.

A Balanced Approach to Immigration

Canada must adopt immigration policies that balance respect for cultural heritage with integration into Canadian society:

• Language Proficiency: Free or subsidized English and French classes must be mandatory for newcomers to break language barriers.
• Civic Education: Programs to teach Canadian laws, rights, and responsibilities will encourage respect for our nation’s values.
• Integration Over Isolation: Housing policies that disperse immigrants across communities can prevent ethnic enclaves, fostering inclusivity.
• Skills-Based Immigration: Focusing on immigrants who bring economic value ensures newcomers contribute to society while reducing strain on resources.

Moving Forward with Unity

If Canada fails to prioritize its citizens while fostering meaningful integration, we risk deepening cultural divides. A strong immigration policy that emphasizes unity, mutual respect, and shared Canadian values is not just an ideal—it is a necessity.

Canada must remain a place of opportunity and freedom, but these values can only thrive when we ensure that all Canadians, new and old, share a commitment to the national community. Let us honour the sacrifices made for this country by fostering a united and equitable society for all.

Sources

http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2013/09/06/pq_debate_on_values_bringing_irreconcilable_differences_to_the_surface_hbert.html

http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2013/09/07/quebecs_charter_canada_still_has_work_to_do_on_multiculturalism.html

Syria Represents the Unknown of Known or the Known of Unknown

If Sarin gas was used by either the government forces or the army deserters and rebels there is also evidence as reported by the UK news, Independent that the Government let British company export nerve gas chemicals to Syria! 

www.independent.co.uk/n ...

Obama's Nobel Peace Prize, a 'call to action', appears to have been based solely on the USA version for a new world order of might is right?

Syria a sovereign country has been in a civil war going on nearly three years and for anyone to assume that it is only the leader of the Syrian government and its forces that continues to solely have access to chemical weapons in such a war-torn country is asinine or blind to the realities of war.

Any fool can start a fight but it takes a statesman to negotiate a peaceful solution to a conflict.

Syria is NOT a threat to the people of the USA nor is it a national security issue. 

Without a declaration of war by the United States senate and congress an attack against Syria by the USA ordered by the President of the USA would not be legal by its' own constitution, its own laws or those of the world court.

This so-called Syrian opposition is made up of armed forces deserters, Syrian exile members of the de facto groups like the SNC (Syrian national council), FSA(free Syrian army) and non-Syrian fanatic extremists for a free Palestine along with the Muslim brotherhood for Sharia law and all are doing battle against the Assad regime and the Syrian people.

A fraudulent unelected group of individuals, mainly from foreign countries, who call themselves the Syrian National Council claiming to be the opposition forces for the protection of the unarmed citizens of Syria and its resources. 

Under a banner of the SNC or FSA these opposition forces, for the protection of the unarmed citizens of Syria and its resources as they previously stated, have been and continue to kill innocent woman, children, youth and the elderly all of whom are Syrian people?

They continuing bombings in Damascus and throughout Syria, that have the fingerprint tactics used by al- Qaeda, fundamentalist Sunni Muslim terrorist groups and others from throughout the region in Afghanistan, Iraq, Libya, Egypt and Jordan, by these heavily armed opposition forces comprised of rebels, insurgents, army deserters and terrorists can attest to the Syrian government’s claim that Syria is fighting Islamist militants steered from abroad!

How can Canada, the USA and other western powers support such radical extremists and fanatical religious non elected but self anointed individuals and armed forces deserters and terrorists who call themselves the opposition and then proceed to intentionally detonate 10 kilos of highly flammable explosives in the centre of Damascus next to a primary school, shops and a mosque?

I cannot understand how a fraudulent unelected group of individuals, mainly from foreign countries, under a banner of the SNC or FSA the opposition forces who call themselves the Syrian National Council and claim to be the opposition forces for the protection of the unarmed citizens of Syria and its resources themselves continue to kill innocent woman, children, youth and the elderly all fellow Syrians?

These groups claim they do not have chemical weapons and it's only the government forces! 

If one believes that then one believes in the tooth fairy.

They call the government of Syria uncivilized yet it was the government of the USA that used napalm and Agent Orange in Vietnam and used depleted uranium and white phosphorus in Fallujah, Iraq and not to be outdone, Britain firebombed Dresden and other German cities in WW2 and the USA dropped nuclear bombs twice on Japan!

You be the judge on this proposed illegal limited and narrow bombing by the USA on yet another sovereign country by the President of the USA in assisting the so-called Arab Spring uprisings!

ADDITIONAL 

Russia asks Turkey for info on sarin terrorists

Did you know Turkey caught Syrian rebels with sarin gas back in May?

http://www.turkishweekly.net/news/151261/russia-asks-turkey-for-info-on-sarin-terrorists.html

America's President Says He Is Prepared to Order Military Action, but Wants Support First From Lawmakers

·                                 http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887324463604579046902682624072.html?mod=WSJEurope_hpp_LEFTTopStories

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           Syrian rebels jail and torture American photographer! They are no better than the regime of Syrian President Bashar Assad and more barbaric in my opinion.

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/23/world/middleeast/american-tells-of-odyssey-as-prisoner-of-syrian-rebels.html?hp&_r=0

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