Let's Not Forget Torontonians Could Have Had A Mayor With Balls

Rather than the eunuch that sits in the Mayor's chair.

John Oakley on the difference between David Miller and John Tory

Toronto Mayor David Miller’s backtracking on closing community centres highlights a contrast in leadership style with the beleaguered John Tory. Tory, taking a ton of flack for planting his political flag on the issue of religious school funding, is being pressed by many within his own party to reconsider. The Millerites claim their man listened to the little guy and, as a conscientious democrat, acceded to the popular will. Just as any reversal on religious school funding by Tory at this point might be spun, not as a flip-flop but as a politically-courageous change of heart. Let’s get two things clear: First off, Miller only saw the light when it became clear that leaving lights and full-time staff on while shutting out rental revenue was a net loser, so he parked his petulance; Tory is staying the course despite the unpopularity of his position. One speaks to political conviction and may go down in flames for it, the other speaks to political expedience, only to regroup and ding us another way. For all the public’s cynicism towards politicians, the braying masses can’t seem to recognize the distinction between leadership and another political hack. That’s how we get the governments we deserve.