Olivia Chow states that the TPA should be transfered back to the City
(These are notes that formed the basis of Olivia Chow's comments at the press conference held today to discuss the Toronto Star revelations about the Toronto Port Authority.)
Unauthorized expenses. Outrageous entertainment and travel at the cost of the taxpayer. Doctored minutes. What else is there that has yet to be revealed?
Our questions in the House of Commons this week cry out for answers [they are in the package that you will receive today]. Read the Conservatives' answers. They simply stonewall.
That's not good enough. The auditor-general needs to be given the authority she needs to dig deep and find those answers.
But why is all this happening?
This Port Authority is an "arm's length" federal government agency.
It is supposed to operate with a majority of port user representatives on its board, plus one each to represent the federal, provincial and city governments. That would have created some accountability.
Instead, Stephen Harper's government has ignored its own laws, and filled seven of the nine board seats with individuals who, for the most part, are loyal Mike Harris-era Conservatives. Worse, none have the required experience with Toronto's waterfront issues, or roots in any of its user groups - save Colin Watson, who is an acknowledged friend of Robert Deluce, of Porter Air.
No wonder Toronto's waterfront residents feel unheard and ignored.
This is the root of the problem - a studied systematic and utter disregard for the people of Toronto, and for the law. That's why this is happening.
It is time that was stopped.
Enough with nasty lawsuits against the City and against its citizens. Enough with refusing to pay its fair share of property taxes. And enough with refusing to abide by and enforce the rules that were intended to protect waterfront communities from the Island Airport.
Transferring the TPA back to the City is the solution. In my view, and in the view of my party, there is no serious federal interest that justifies this level of federal government control over Toronto's port lands. I join with CommunityAIR in calling for that transfer.
Unauthorized expenses. Outrageous entertainment and travel at the cost of the taxpayer. Doctored minutes. What else is there that has yet to be revealed?
Our questions in the House of Commons this week cry out for answers [they are in the package that you will receive today]. Read the Conservatives' answers. They simply stonewall.
That's not good enough. The auditor-general needs to be given the authority she needs to dig deep and find those answers.
But why is all this happening?
This Port Authority is an "arm's length" federal government agency.
It is supposed to operate with a majority of port user representatives on its board, plus one each to represent the federal, provincial and city governments. That would have created some accountability.
Instead, Stephen Harper's government has ignored its own laws, and filled seven of the nine board seats with individuals who, for the most part, are loyal Mike Harris-era Conservatives. Worse, none have the required experience with Toronto's waterfront issues, or roots in any of its user groups - save Colin Watson, who is an acknowledged friend of Robert Deluce, of Porter Air.
No wonder Toronto's waterfront residents feel unheard and ignored.
This is the root of the problem - a studied systematic and utter disregard for the people of Toronto, and for the law. That's why this is happening.
It is time that was stopped.
Enough with nasty lawsuits against the City and against its citizens. Enough with refusing to pay its fair share of property taxes. And enough with refusing to abide by and enforce the rules that were intended to protect waterfront communities from the Island Airport.
Transferring the TPA back to the City is the solution. In my view, and in the view of my party, there is no serious federal interest that justifies this level of federal government control over Toronto's port lands. I join with CommunityAIR in calling for that transfer.
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