Some See It As Being Obsessive-My Campaign Against Comrade Miller Et Al

Comrade Miller at his finest!

City's tax talks just a big sham
By Lorrie Goldstein

"Public consultation" has long been a farce at Toronto City Hall and the latest example is no exception.

This time it's a series of four evening meetings up to May 23 being held around the city to ask people -- get this -- which new taxes and fees they'd like council to impose.

Mayor David Miller missed the first of these sessions last Monday and he's going to miss the next three, pleading prior commitments.

A Miller aide told our City Hall columnist Sue-Ann Levy last week they're disappointed the first meeting at Harbourfront Centre was hijacked by people unwilling to have a "mature, high-level discussion" about which new taxes the city should implement under its new powers in the City of Toronto Act.

Of course, Miller and Co, have no objections when, year after year, public consultations are hijacked by left-wing special interest groups, professional activists and others who make their living off the public purse, demanding ever more funding for their pet social programs.

Indeed, an ordinary taxpayer entering one of those festivals of indignation and daring to suggest taxes are already too high, is likely to be booed and shouted into submission.

This meeting, however, was different because it was stacked with people representing those who have to work in the real world.

So who were these dangerous radicals who so put off the mayor and his minions?

Well, there was Catherine Swift, CEO of the Canadian Federation of Independent Business, warning that many of her members are fleeing the city because business taxes are too high.

There was Kevin Gaudet of the Canadian Taxpayers Federation, arguing people are already overtaxed.

There was Rod Evans, president of the Ontario Restaurant, Hotel and Motel Association, arguing it was "outrageous" to ask people only what new taxes they'd like to pay and pretend this was meaningful public consultation.

There was North York resident Tony Dickins, who ran for council last year, retired Ryerson professor David Harvey, retired chartered accountant Russell Oliver and up to 100 others who wanted to send the mayor a message that taxes are already high enough.

Wow. Man the barricades, eh?

Although Miller's budget chief, Coun. Shelley Carroll, was at the meeting for a while, the person who ended up bearing the brunt of the public's anger was Chief Financial Officer Joe Pennachetti, who at least had the courtesy to stand up and take the flak. But that's not his job.

Staff implement, politicians decide. Until Miller and Co. are ready to show up and listen to people who aren't already singing from their "let's tax some more" hymn book, let's not pretend these so-called public consultations are anything more than a sham.