On Wednesday, September 12 at 7 pm, Defend Toronto will have its first meeting at Holy Trinity. Organized by former Mayor John Sewell and friends, this citizen movement will counter the attacks on Toronto by Premier Doug Ford. From John Sewell: ” The Premier held a press conference…making some outrageous statements about using the `notwithstanding’ clause under the Charter of Rights and Freedoms to get around the judge’s decision to get his way. That clause has never been used in Ontario. He is a frightening man.”
The meeting will begin with a discussion of the provincial plans to restructure Toronto City Council, which a judge has now ruled as unconstitutional, and that the election will proceed with 47 wards on October 22.
Don Eady, lawyer for several of those who took the matter to court, will take us through the judge’s decision and outline what it means for us. A speaker from Progress Toronto will talk about the election and what’s at stake for the city. There will then be a general discussion of what we can do to convince the provincial government not to appeal the decision.
This will be followed by talk about the provincial plan to take over the Toronto subway system. Shelagh Pizey-Allen of TTCriders will talk about what that organization thinks of the provincial plans. And long-time transit advocate Steve Munro will discuss how this will impact the whole transit network. This will be followed by general discussion of what actions we should and could take.
The last part of the meeting will be a general discussion about what kind of an organization Defend Toronto will be; creating a steering committee; how often we should meet; and the issues we should focus on.
Join us in the nave!
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