MIA! Comrades Miller, Pantalone,Carroll

'Get spending under control'
Residents rise up against city's new tax powers
By ZEN RURYK, CITY HALL BUREAU CHIEF
May 16, 2007

Taxes are a hard sell.

That's the message that has come through loud and clear at the city's two public meetings on new taxes Toronto councillors can now impose on such things as booze and movie tickets.

More than 130 people turned out for the city's latest encounter with the public last night at Etobicoke Collegiate Institute on Montgomery Rd.

"I don't believe there's a revenue problem, I believe there's a spending problem and I think you need to get that under control," said John Collins, a retired civil servant.

The North York resident urged city officials to forget about imposing any new taxes unless there are reductions in government levies that offset the increases.

Most of those who attended a meeting last week at the Harbourfront Centre also strongly opposed new taxes.

The City of Toronto Act, which kicked in Jan. 1, empowers cash-strapped Toronto council to introduce the new taxes.

NEW TAX POWERS

The city can now tax cigarettes, alcohol, motor vehicle registration, land transfers, parking, billboards and tickets for sporting events, movies and theatre performances.

Restaurant operator Steve Mastoras, 43, last night questioned why David Miller, Deputy Mayor Joe Pantalone, or budget chief Shelley Carroll failed to attend the meeting.

"I want to find out about whether or not our senior politicians genuinely care about this public consultation process," said Mastoras who served as an East York councillor from 1985 to 1991.

Joe Pennachetti, Toronto's chief financial officer, said city is doing its best to control expenditures. While senior levels of government get revenue from taxes that grow with the economy -- sales and income taxes -- the city does not, he said.

Toronto council relies mainly on property taxes, user fees, borrowed money and funding from other governments to cover its costs.