Two Toronto councillors are calling for a special meeting of Council in light of a legal opinion that says City Manager Shirley Hoy acted illegally in cutting community centre hours, snow removal and other city services without council’s approval.

“It’s unequivocal - she’s usurped our authority,” said Ward 22 (St. Paul’s) Councillor Michael Walker, who along with Ward 16 (Eglinton Lawrence) Councillor Karen Stintz has put forward a notice of motion asking for a special meeting in the first week of October, to consider the cuts.

The two are basing the motion on a legal opinion that Walker sought from Gowling Lafleur Henderson, on whether the city manager has the power to selectively amend the city’s budget.
According to the opinion, the City of Toronto Act 2006 specifically prohibits the city manager from taking such action without council approval.

The argument points to Section 22 of the Act, which prohibits council to delegate those decisions to anyone but itself.