The Headline Says It All.........

Mayor skips out of new-taxes debate
Misses meeting with public
By ZEN RURYK, CITY HALL BUREAU CHIEF

Mayor David Miller refused demands to face the public last night at a final meeting on new taxes city council may impose on such things as booze and movie tickets.

Council broke early yesterday to allow members the opportunity to attend the public meeting at the Scarborough civic centre.

"I'll be with my family," Miller explained when asked why he would not be in attendance.

He added that members of the public will be welcome to come to City Hall to speak when his influential executive committee grapples with the controversial issue of whether to impose new levies.

"The purpose of these consultations was for city staff to consult with people -- to listen to the interests of business, hear what residents had to say," Miller said.

Most of those attending the city's four meetings on the new taxes made it clear that they don't want to pay new levies.

More than 125 people, including 13 city councillors, turned out to last night's gathering in Scarborough.

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

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

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

Kevin Gaudet, of the Canadian Taxpayers Federation, said Miller has demonstrated he doesn't have a lot of interest in listening to what people think about new taxes.

"This is an extraordinary measure and the first time in the history of Canada where a city has direct taxing authority," Gaudet said.

"I think the mayor and council -- I'm fearful that they're rushing madly into executing those powers. It would behoove him to go and see what people really think and how they really feel about it."

Councillor Denzil Minnan-Wong, who attended all public meetings, said the mayor has a responsibility to answer questions and explain why new taxes are necessary.

"He hasn't made the case; it looks like he's consciously avoiding these public consultations," Minnan-Wong said.

He added the decision to end yesterday's council meeting early cleared the mayor's calendar, providing him the opportunity to show up at the consultation session in Scarborough.