Toronto council dispute distracting from key issues, say candidates, voters
TORONTO — Until recently, traffic congestion and lack of affordable housing were expected to dominate Toronto’s fall election, but now some candidates and voters are worried the fierce debate over the council’s size is overshadowing the issues they consider vital for the residents of Canada’s largest city.
The dispute between Toronto and the province, triggered by Premier Doug Ford’s surprise move in late July to reduce Toronto council to 25 seats from 47, has been dominating the campaign — and headlines — for weeks.
It is also the main issue Coun. Mike Layton says his constituents ask about as he campaign for re-election.
“Somehow our new premier has hijacked the City of Toronto election, not only by changing the rules halfway through but all anyone wants to talk about when you’re at the door is his behaviour,” he said. “They don’t actually want to talk about the issues so you’ve got to start there and then pivot over.”