City council News

Op-Ed: Has Doug Ford turned into Canada's very own Donald Trump? By Karen Graham Toronto - If the political climate in Ontario wasn't so darned serious - it would be almost laughable. Premier Doug Ford has become Canada's very own version of Donald Trump, using his power to halt some elections, and many feel he has stepped over the line.

Biggest garage sale on earth could last for years, owner warns By George Varkey Edmonton - A house owner who opened his yard for a garage sale, mid- July this year, has warned Edmonton city council that, if they try to stop his yard sale through legal procedures, then he will fight the battle legally to receive justice.

Madison first U.S. city to ban discrimination against atheists By Megan Hamilton Madison - This city in Wisconsin is now the first city in the U.S. to protect atheists and other non-religious people from discrimination thanks to an ordinance that was unanimously approved by the city council last Tuesday.

Scott McKeen: Leading a ward 'on its way up' Special By Paula Kirman Edmonton - Scott McKeen is Edmonton's City Councillor for Ward 6. He was elected to office for the first time in the civic election in October of 2013.

Mayor Bloomberg signs a bills addressing NYC disaster management By Matthew DeLuca Earlier this week, New York City Mayor, Michael Bloomberg, signed into law nine bills relating to the city’s disaster preparedness.

Op-Ed: The Politics of Toronto - Top 11 stories that made 2012 headlines By Andrew Moran Toronto - Wow. What a year it was in Toronto politics. From the contentious city council battles to the various scandals and gaffes down at city hall to Mayor Rob Ford being ousted in office, it was indeed a tremendous and newsworthy 2012 for municipal politics.

Saskatoon man sends complaint over 'Merry Christmas' bus message By Andrew Moran Saskatoon - Ashu M.G. Solo, a Saskatoon atheist, has issued a complaint to the city after he was apparently offended by a "Merry Christmas" message that appeared on electronic displays on Saskatoon Transit buses.

Op-Ed: Toronto Mayor cutting work for private time not how to run a city By KJ Mullins Toronto - Cutting work for private time is something that most bosses frown on, even if that time is for the community. This autumn one man has missed many important meetings at his job. That man is Toronto's Mayor Rob Ford.

Calgary, Saskatoon city councils proposing property tax hikes By Andrew Moran Calgary - Both Calgary and Saskatoon residents could be seeing their property taxes increase. The city council in Calgary is debating whether or not to lower next year's property tax hike, while Saskatoon is putting forth a five percent raise.

Leeds set to get official gay quarter By Steve Hayes Leeds - The City Council is to consider well advanced plans to create an official gay quarter in Leeds city centre. The move follows years of campaigning and detailed council planning.

Preacher's speech against gay rights comes to stunning conclusion By Greta McClain Springfield - This past summer, a bill that would have added sexual orientation and gender identity to the Springfield Missouri's non-discrimination statutes was introduced by two members of the city's council.

Mayor: Toronto city council's ban on plastic bags 'dumbest thing' By Andrew Moran Toronto - One day after Toronto's city council voted in favour of not only ending the three-year-old five-cent bag fee, it also approved a motion to ban plastic bags by 2013. Mayor Rob Ford took to the airwaves to call it the "dumbest thing council has done."

Op-Ed: United Nations Agenda 21 taking Private land from Americans By Mindy Allan Agenda 21 is being used by California's Ventura County local government to shut businesses down, one by one, using arcane zoning and building-code laws to get the job done.

Poll: One-third 'strongly disapprove' of Toronto Mayor Rob Ford By Andrew Moran Toronto - Toronto Mayor Rob Ford's popularity continues to dwindle as more and more Torontonians are becoming dissatisfied with his performance on the job. A new poll suggests that 35 percent of the city "strongly disapprove" of his tenure thus far.

Mayor, City Councillors met with protest during New Year's Levee Special By Andrew Moran Toronto - Toronto Mayor Rob Ford and less than a dozen city councillors helped welcome the New Year with their constituents at city hall. The festivities came to a brief halt when protesters arrived speaking out against the mayor's cuts.

Toronto Hardship Fund on the chopping block By KJ Mullins Toronto - The City of Toronto's Hardship Fund could be lost if just over half of the City Council gets their way at the next vote. A program that costs the city less that $1 million a year and provides for residents in the most need is set to be scrapped.

City Council votes on garbage proposal in Toronto By KJ Mullins Toronto - Without answers City Councillors are asking for another month to discuss and review the information to make an informed decision when it comes to where to go with garbage collection in Toronto.

Toronto City Council to vote on privatizing garbage collection By KJ Mullins Toronto - Starting next year private garbage collection could begin in Toronto from Yonge Street to Humber River if City Hall approves a privatization proposal today.

Highlights from Toronto City Council July meetings By KJ Mullins Toronto - The latest round of Toronto City Hall meetings have come to a close. The highlights from the July meetings focus on bike lanes, an underground tunnel to Billy Bishop Airport, graffiti and other issues important to residents in Toronto.

Officials honour, remember fallen Toronto Sgt. Ryan Russell Special By Andrew Moran Toronto - On a day that was both celebratory and sombre, the Toronto Mayor and Police Chief announced the official renaming and unveiling of Sergeant Ryan Russell Parkette as a “tribute to a dedicated police officer” who died in the line of duty.

Mayor Ford planning to sell 900 social housing units in Toronto By Andrew Moran Toronto - In order to garner millions of dollars to tackle the upcoming $774 million budget shortfall, Toronto Mayor Rob Ford is looking at selling more than 900 city community housing units to the highest bidders.

Mayor, City Council commemorate 67th D-Day anniversary in Toronto Special By Andrew Moran Toronto - Toronto Mayor Rob Ford and several members of City Council commemorated the 67th anniversary of the Normandy Landings, otherwise known as D-Day. Hundreds gathered at Nathan Phillips Square to honour the fallen heroes.

Toronto Mayor Rob Ford proclaims June 'Seniors Month' Special By Andrew Moran Toronto - Toronto Mayor Rob Ford, alongside City Councillor Josh Matlow and Member of Provincial Parliament Sophia Aggelonitis, proclaimed the month of June as Seniors Month. The proclamation was succeeded by entertainment events.

Toronto budget team asking residents what to cut from city budget By Andrew Moran Toronto - As the city of Toronto faces a $774 million budget deficit in 2012, the city's budget team is asking Torontonians what they would cut from the budget. Residents have until June 17 to submit online input.

D.C. Mayor, top City Council members arrested on Capitol Hill By Andrew Moran Washington - District of Columbia Mayor Vincent Gray and top City Council officials were arrested Monday during a protest outside of Hart Senate Office Building at Capitol Hill. Gray and about 300 others were protesting the limits placed on city funds.

Protesters march, rally against Toronto Mayor Rob Ford's policies Special By Andrew Moran Toronto - Hundreds of demonstrators - public union members and concerned citizens alike - marched the streets of Toronto and gathered at the Yonge-Dundas Square in protest of Mayor Rob Ford and his administration's policies and cuts.

Toronto mayor, city councillors hold New Year's Day Levee (video) Special By Andrew Moran Toronto - Toronto Mayor Rob Ford and city councillors welcomed the New Year by meeting and greeting residents and voters of the Greater Toronto Area at city hall. The annual tradition included live music and free catering.

Toronto City Council scraps car registration tax, cuts budgets Special By Andrew Moran Toronto - Toronto Mayor Rob Ford faced tough opposition from city council over his motion to repeal the $60 Personal Vehicle Tax that was legislated two years ago. In the end, Ford came through on two campaign promises: repealing the tax and cutting budgets.

Toronto City Council repeals much-hated personal vehicle tax By Carolyn E. Price Toronto - Toronto City Council today repealed the $60 per vehicle and $30 per motorcycle Personal Vehicle Tax by a wide majority, 39-6, fulfilling one of Mayor Rob Ford's campaign promises.

Toronto city council's 'new style of politics' gets underway Special By Andrew Moran Toronto - Toronto’s new city council met in the council chamber for five and a half hours on Wednesday to voice their concerns over committee appointments, community and ward representation and budget schedules.

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