Category: Politics

Clarification: The author has revised his post below. He has clarified his concerns with steps taken by senior officials in former Premier Dalton McGuinty’s office to persuade Ontario Legislature Speaker Dave Levac to change his mind in September 2012 over a possible breach of privilege by then Energy Minister Chris Bentley for refusing to release documents on the 2011 gas power plant closures.

“Tricky Dick” Nixon drew inspiration from his two shifty advisers, Ehrlichman and Haldeman, of Watergate fame. George Bush, the junior, clearly relied upon the advice of his own Svengali, the diabolical Dick Cheney.

It now appears that super straight Boy Scout “Premier Dad” Dalton McGuinty owes his political success to his very own dark prince of political disinformation, manipulation and skullduggery, the cunning and sly Don Guy.

In a recent hard-hitting column in the Globe and Mail, former senior Queen’s Park reporter, now Globe investigative journalist, Karen Howlett, analyzed the recent release of damaging emails among McGuinty advisers relating to the gas plant cancellations. And McGuinty’s controversial decision to shut down the Ontario legislature in a vain attempt to save his party from the then exploding scandal.

Howlett, in referring to these latest e-mails, perceptively concluded:

“Yet in many ways, the e-mails transcend a particular scandal. They provide a rare glimpse into the backrooms of power, where unelected political aides spin journalists, muzzle cabinet ministers and use feel-good announcements to deflect attention from a crisis.”

Before I critically comment on the Machiavellian machinations of Don Guy, a little context is in order.

Before the 2011 Ontario provincial election, fearing the loss of seats in Oakville, theMcGuinty government cancelled the proposed Oakville power plant. And on Sept 24, 2011, fearing the loss of seats in Mississauga, less than two weeks before election day, the Liberals announced the cancellation of the proposed Mississauga gas plant which was under construction at the time.

Publicly, the McGuinty government claimed that it was responding to negative reactions by voters who lived close to these two power plants. Months later, in testimony before a legislative hearing, former Premier McGuinty would claim that his government was cancelling these power plants for the kids, as these plants were located too close to schools and residences.

McGuinty disputed the allegation that these cancellations were for crass political gain or survival.

Now if you believe that load of malarkey, I have some very attractive, but environmentally-challenged land for sale, within a wedge shot of the Toronto waterfront.

The McGuinty political ploy worked and the Liberals retained five Liberal seats in the Mississauga/Oakville areas.

And the Liberals would have gotten away with this political hocus pocus, if they had retained majority status in the Ontario Legislature. Then they would have controlled the legislative committees, as they had done in their two previous terms.

Unfortunately, for the Liberals, but lucky for those who stand for truth, justice and the Canadian way, the Liberals were reduced to a minority government.

As a result, the opposition Tories and NDP had the power and legislative authority to look into the actual reasons for the suspicious cancelling of the two gas plants, and the hidden costs of cancelling and replacing these two gas plants.

For my many non-Ontario readers and American readers (all ten of you) this is when the fun really begins.

And this is when the notorious and follicly challenged Don Guy, Lex Luthor’s evil twin, applied all his dastardly political tricks to prevent and forestall the opposition Tories and NDP from exposing the truth of these plant cancellations.

For several months after the 2011 election, the McGuinty government was successful in stalling the investigation into the power plants by refusing to release documents to the Tory/NDP controlled provincial legislative committee authorized to look into this matter.

As a result of these stalling tactics and especially the non-co-operation of the then Energy Minister Chris Bentley, the Tories and NDP brought a motion of contempt against Liberal Bentley to Liberal MPP Speaker of the House Dave Levac.

Mr. Levac, the Speaker, acting in the capacity of an impartial judge, ruled last September, 2012, that there was evidence that Energy Minister Chris Bentley breached his privileges by refusing to release the gas-plant documents to a legislative committee four months earlier. The ruling left Mr. Bentley facing a rare contempt of Parliament censure.

According to recently disclosed e-mails between Don Guy and his deputies Laura Miller and Dave Gene, it appears that Don Guy had Miller send Dave Gene over to Speaker Levac to discuss the possibility of Levac changing his ruling.

I definitely agree with NDP House Leader Gilles Bisson, when he referred to the actions of Guy, Miller and Gene. He stated:

“They were trying to obstruct the parliamentary process and bully the Speaker to change his ruling,” Mr. Bisson said. “That’s pretty serious stuff, and akin to somebody going to a judge and trying to influence a judge on a decision.”

It appears that Guy, Miller and Gene may have crossed the line here. These are not political tricks or technical breaches of obscure parliamentary procedures. This action appears to be an attempt to influence an impartial judicial/administrative officer of the Parliament. An independent body should be called in to investigate this action.

Though Speaker Levac held his ground and ruled against Bentley and ordered the release of all the relevant documents relating to the subject gas plants, this ruling did not deter Don Guy and his merry band.

According to the released emails, Don Guy’s next devious ploy was to manipulate the press by having the McGuinty government announce feel-good policies, in order to divert attention from the September 24, 2012 deadline for release of the gas plant documents established by Speaker Levac.

As reported in the Globe and Mail, around this time, the McGuinty government announced the banning of the use of tanning beds by people under the age of 18. Which according to one of McGuinty’s political operatives, in an e-mail would “make a fabulous headline in Saturday papers.”

The strategy worked. Most major newspapers, including The Globe and Mail, carried the story. But tanning beds turned out to be a fleeting distraction.

With the September 24 deadline for release of documents looming, Don Guy then had Miller try to strong arm the Liberals’ own House Leader John Milloy, to delay the September 24 release on the basis of a different interpretation of the Speaker’s ruling and contrary to Milloy’s own interpretation of the Speaker’s ruling.

Noting that Milloy failed to follow Guy’s wishes, Miller wrote in an email, that in future the House Leader will not speak for the party. In effect, she and Guy were trying to muzzle the public pronouncements of their own House Leader.

Could you imagine any one of Prime Minister Harper’s advisers trying to muzzle the feisty and outspoken Peter van Loan, Federal Conservative House Leader? Not likely.

Recall, once some of the power plant documents were released, the public reaction was so negative, that Premier McGuinty took the unusual step of proroguing the Parliament, that is, shutting down the Parliament and all the business of government including the work of the legislative committee investigating the power plant cancellations. And announcing his resignation as Premier and leader of the Liberals.

To further divert public attention from the growing gas plant scandal and the shutting down of the legislature to prevent further investigations, McGuinty, Don Guy and his people then launched into a massive public relations scam.

They intended to mislead the public into believing that McGuinty was resigning as provincial leader to run for leader of the Federal Liberals against Justin Trudeau.

As reported by Howlett of the Globe and Mail:

“Minutes after Mr. McGuinty made his surprise announcement that he was proroguing the legislature and stepping down after nine years in office, The Canadian Press’s Ottawa bureau broke the story that he was planning a jump to federal politics. In the immediate aftermath, the leak helped divert attention from the controversial shutdown of the legislature, including committee hearings.

Five days later, Mr. McGuinty’s advisers hatched plans on how to handle his resignation. Mr. Guy talked about keeping the federal leadership story alive for a bit longer.

“I think we also leak tomorrow that the Premier has been taking calls this weekend and is discussing the leadership with his family with an intention of making a decision early this week,” he says in an e-mail on Oct. 20.

At the same time, however, Mr. Morley was discussing plans for killing the story. Shortly before Mr. McGuinty is interviewed by television host Steve Paikin next Tuesday, he says, they should give the story to CP reporter Joan Bryden — who got the initial leak — that the premier has decided against running federally.

“She’s been promised the story either way the decision goes, so he can’t blurt it out in a scrum,” he says.

CP reported last Oct. 23 that Mr. McGuinty wouldn’t be challenging Justin Trudeau after all.”

So for a whole week, McGuinty, Don Guy and all of McGuinty’s and Don Guy’s people intentionally, misled and misinformed the Ontario people and the Ontario press.

Actually, I am glad that Don Guy, the master of press manipulation, misinformation to the public, muzzling elected officials and, above all, trying to influence an impartial administrative/judicial official, has finally come out of the shadows.

For over ten years, this “win at all costs”, “this end justifies the means” Don Guy was Dalton McGuinty’s guy. And the crafty master strategist behind the Ontario Liberals.

So what does that really say about Dalton McGuinty, the Ontario Liberals and Ontario Liberal Premier Wynne?

The results of the recent Ontario by-elections were disappointing for die-hard Ontario Tory supporters who believed in their bones that the sins of the McGuinty Liberals would finally deal a devastating blow to the Ontario Liberals led by Premier Wynne.

I am not suggesting that Hudak and the Tories should have won four of the five provincial seats, being contested. The Windsor seat, formerly held by Dwight Duncan, was a lock for the NDP from the outset. But Hudak and the Tories had solid opportunities in the provincial ridings of Scarborough-Guildwood and Ottawa South. They should have delivered on at least one of those two ridings.

In Scarborough-Guildwood, the Liberal candidate Mitzi Hunter was beatable. Hudak and his advisers should have played hardball and recruited a higher profile candidate than Ken Kiruba. He is a nice solid guy, but clearly lacked the public profile and winability factor of Mitzi Hunter and the NDP candidate Adam Giambrone, former TTC Chairman and lead author of the LRT for Scarborough.

Or hit the road, Jack. Because you guys and women are acting like rank political amateurs.

Hudak and the Tories have the very real ability to form the government in the next general election. Why they cannot attract and recruit more high profile and more winnable candidates like Doug Holyday, is beyond comprehension.

Hudak’s people once again were outmanaged and outmaneuvered by such Liberal strategists as Greg Sorbara and even by NDP Leader Andrea Horwath’s strategists. You have to give credit to Horwath and her people. They recruited high profile candidates in the Windsor and London West by-elections. And they even attracted Adam Giambrone who gave Hunter and Kiruba a real run in Scarborough. And they got out the vote in those ridings.

The second problem was that Hudak allowed the Liberals to steal his pro-subway message. Hudak had been promoting subways, not streetcars and LRT, for many months, well in advance of the Scarborough by-election. And Mitzi Hunter was in favour of the LRT, before she was against it. As President of Civic Action, Hunterspent six years campaigning for an LRT for Scarborough. Now suddenly, on the Road to Scarborough Town Centre, she discovered subways and overnight, Hunter became the sudden subway advocate.

Hudak and Kiruma should not have let Hunter steal the subway issue from them. They should have hammered Hunter and the Liberals for only recently supporting subways and better transit for Scarberians, purely based on political expediency. Purely to win a by-election.

Thirdly, Hudak failed to properly capitalize on the appeal and the message of Rob Ford to Scarberians. Though Ford is a rotund white guy, he has great support and appeal in Scarborough. The predominantly non-white Scarborough community, likes Ford because he cares about them and genuinely believes that Scarberians deserve more and better transit opportunities which must include the Bloor-Danforth subway extension from Kennedy to the Scarborough Town Centre.

The recent success of Ford Fest in Scarborough indicates that the hard-working Asian, South Asian, Filipino, and black communities also like Ford’s belief that government should not be wasteful and be very careful about using taxpayers’ hard-earned money. And government should not waste such taxpayer money on projects that only benefit the downtown Toronto elites. Or in the case of the gas plant cancellations, greedy American hedge funds, friendly gas plant operators, and Bay Street law firms and bankers.

Fourthly, Hudak cannot just be the angry white guy railing against the sins and corruption of the McGuinty/Wynne Liberal government. Hudak has to be able to resonate with the voter. He failed to do so in the five by-elections. He has to be able to connect with the Ontario voters on a gut and personal level. In private, Hudak is quite a funny, warm, personable, and witty fellow. Unfortunately, in front of the camera, he loses his natural ease and grace and becomes too stilted. And too concerned with talking points and scoring debating points.

I suggest Hudak should let his hair down. Let his natural self become his public persona. A good politician can be warm and charming, but still bitingly critical and effective. Consider the masterful former Ontario premier Bill Davis.

As for the Ottawa South riding, the above criticism of Hudak applies to this riding as well. Hudak personally campaigned here. He and his Tory candidate should have done better. Hudak has to connect better to people. He has to get his message across more clearly and more forcefully, but also with more warmth and appeal.

Hudak should be more the “happy warrior” and less the cold warrior. Politics is a blood sport. But politics is all about people. And it should be fun as well.

The Ottawa South Tory candidate was solid, but next time, the Tories must significantly improve their ground game in that riding as in all the ridings. That is, the Tories must not only attract more potential Tory voters, but identify them and ensure their individual Tory riding organizations get these Tory voters out to vote in the advance polls or on election day.

In the Ottawa South riding, McGuinty’s riding organization’s ground game was excellent. But the new Liberal MPP from Ottawa South was beatable and is beatable in the next general election, probably next year.

To the hard right Tories who want Hudak’s scalp and a new leadership race, you should just chill. Pop open a cold one. Grab a jerk chicken leg. Don’t worry, man. Be Happy. Now is not the time for divisive internal debates about Hudak’s leadership. The only hope for the NDP and the Liberals is that the Tories self-destruct internally over such questions.This is a road the Tories should not go down within 12 months of the next general election.

Also, Tories should not be taken in by the left’s campaign of disinformation about the alleged failures of Hudak. Comrade Gerald Caplan’s recent Globe and Mail opinion piece of misrepresentation and half-truths is more Putin-like propaganda, than respectable political commentary. Caplan claims, referring to Hudak: “He’s also pushing perhaps the most reactionary, flagrantly class-based policies Ontarians have ever seen, making Mike Harris look like a bleeding-heart liberal.”

Oh, give us break. Hudak has been pushing for subways and federal and provincial funding for subways for the transit-challenged and lower income people of Scarborough so that these Scarborough residents can enjoy 10% of the transit opportunities enjoyed by the wealthy white elites in Forest Hill, Rosedale, the Annex, and High Park, who are being represented by such well-known leftists as Josh Matlow and Gord Perks (who, by the way, are opposed to financially assisting the residents of Scarborough).

Who are the reactionaries now? This ain’t the 60s and the Waffle Party is not trying to take over Stephen Lewis’ NDP.

But I digress.

Hudak and the Tories have a real and legitimate shot at taking over the Ontario government within a year.
Doug Holyday brings terrific municipal and government/finance expertise to the party, and a great GTA profile. Christine Elliott is a very strong deputy leader and an excellent health care critic. And let us not forget such smart and hard-working members such as Frank Klees and Vic Fedeli, who have relentlessly held the Liberals’ feet to the fire on the Ornge and Gas Plant scandals, respectively.

Hudak may have lost a battle or two. But the political war is just heating up.

And I still believe, in the end, Hudak will be the last man standing.

Well so much for Premier Wynne’s public image as the great mediator and conciliator. And as an honest politician.

Since Wynne’s election as Liberal party leader, and thus automatically Premier, though unelected, her office with the help of a compliant liberal press, The TorontoStar, have tried to promote Wynne’s image as distinct from the more inflexible and authoritarian Dalton McGuinty.

At least McGuinty in his last year as premier, where he tried to take a hard line against the teachers and their unreasonable salary and pension demands and their outrageous unused, but bankable sick days.

Firstly, Wynne, being a woman politician, portrayed herself as being more flexible, patient, non-confrontational and conciliatory, than her male counterparts. Especially McGuinty, who became characterized as, it is “my way or the highway”, type of political leader.

For example, in her negotiations over the budget with NDP Andrea Horwath, Wynnespent countless weeks back and forth with Horwath patiently trying to craft a budget with enough financial goodies to meet Horwath’s ever changing demands and secure Horwath’s and the NDP’s support.

Similarly, unlike McGuinty, Wynne apparently spent a good deal of time and effort negotiating with and reaching an agreement with the elementary school teachers.

Then again, McGuinty froze teachers’ wages and vowed to hold the line on future teachers’ wages and impliedly cut back on teachers’ benefits.

In contrast, Wynne apparently opened the Ontario bank once again, and gave the teachers a 2% increase, well above what the Government could afford.

So in this context , to characterize Wynne’s style as being compromising and flexible, is a gross misnomer.

Basically, Wynne once again bought off the teachers with money that the Ontario government did not have and could not afford to pay. That is not being flexible. That is being fiscally irresponsible.

But when Mayor Ford met with Finance Minister Sousa on Monday, June 24, to discuss various options regarding the proposed $150 million cut back to social housing, Wynne showed her real and true face.

Wynne’s true face is one of a hard, calculating, insensitive and arrogant political leader, who may be the least trustworthy political leader in Canada today.

Recall that although Wynne was Co-Chairman of the Liberal Party’s election campaign in 2011, she claimed that she was not responsible for the gas plant cancellation, because she was not in the meeting that decided to cancel a gas plant during the election in order to save some Liberal seats.

That was a real doozy.

Wynne reminds me of the attractive but conniving Queen played by Susan Sarandon, in the Disney film, “Enchanted”. Who at the end of the film, is shockingly revealed as a horrifying cold-hearted monster.

This may come as a shock to many readers and Ontario voters, but not to this writer.

So it did not surprise me that when Mayor Ford publicly stated that the City of Toronto had a commitment from the Liberal Government to fund public housing until 2018, Premier Wynne fudged the truth, not once, not twice, but at least three times. And she is still fudging the truth today.

Firstly, through Sousa, Wynne’s position was that there was no agreement or commitment until 2018.

Fortunately, an actual written letter was discovered by Liberal Councilman Shelley Carroll. Also fortunately, for Toronto, Carroll retained a copy.

The Ontario Premier’s office in recent times, has been known to delete or destroy documents and emails.

When Carroll presented this letter as definitive evidence, Wynne’s position through Sousa, was that this letter was just a projection or an option, not an actual commitment to keep paying.

When that did not fly, Wynne’s position through Sousa was that Toronto alternatively was still ahead financially, because Ontario had decided to waive repayment of the $200 million loan owed by it to the province.

But that also proved to be an untruth, according to Toronto city manager Pennachetti,since the province had permitted Toronto to forgo making interest payments for many years. In effect, by its actions, years ago, the Ontario Liberal government had already waived repayment of the loan.

But it gets worse.

According to a recent Globe and Mail article, Wynne and the Liberal Government have been planning on cutting back on its funding of Toronto social housing , not for a week or two weeks, but a whole year ago.

As reported in the Globe,
“City hall and Queen’s Park sources, however, said the province never intended to negotiate over the cancelled funds. The government has been considering making the cut for more than a year — even going so far as to run it by the Liberal caucus’s Toronto members — and was firm in its decision, the sources said. They added that the province just wanted a meeting with city officials to explain the reasoning behind the move. This firm position came as a surprise to the city.”

So Wynne as a senior Cabinet Minister knew about these proposed cutbacks for over a year.

In my books, an omission is just as bad as a lie.

So in the last provincial election, Wynne and her party lied to the Ontario people when she conveniently omitted that if re-elected the Liberal government would cut $150 million from its committed and agreed upon funding to Toronto social housing.

In addition, when the Toronto City Council was trying to craft its budget in December and January of this year, its budget was based upon continued funding by the Ontario government of a certain portion of Toronto’s social housing costs.

But Wynne could not be honest with Toronto City Council because she was still in the midst of saving her minority government for another year.

So Vanna, how many lies on the Wynne Wheel of Misfortune?

It is also interesting to note that apparently Mayor Rob Ford attended on Finance Minister Sousa with the best of intentions to seek a reasonable and face-saving diplomatic solution.

As reported by the Toronto Sun, prior to his meeting with Sousa, Ford stated,
“They’ve got to find efficiencies,” said Ford, who is still optimistic there will be a successful resolution to the money squabble.

But unfortunately, for Mayor Ford, the City of Toronto, and those Toronto residents in public housing, the die had already been cast months and months ago.

Wynne had decided to cut off government funding of Toronto social housing at the knees, and there was no changing her mind.

However, sensing that this sudden unilateral decision may have serious political consequences, in previously solid Toronto Liberal ridings, on Monday, Wynne tried to shift the blame to Ford by stating that Sousa’s chief of staff had tried to reach out to Mayor’s chief of staff a few weeks ago, but because of Ford’s other troubles, Sousa’s aide never heard from the Mayor’s office. Again, as if this decision, which was made over a year ago, was Ford’s fault.

Clearly, the die had been cast months and months ago.

Lies, more lies and lies upon lies.

So for all you downtown Toronto smug elitist Ford haters, it is very clear that even the so-called more sophisticated and more worldly Harvard-educated and lawyer-trained former Mayor David Miller, could not have moved the intransigent and uncompromising Wynne.

Who has also taken mendacity to a whole new level in Ontario politics.

Forget House of Cards, Scandal or even The West Wing and other TV/Netflix political potboilers.

We have a much better political soap opera and hissing match playing out right here in Toronto over funding for the Scarborough Subway.

In the right corner is Karen Stintz, the TTC Chairman.

Don’t be misled by her cute, blonde, blue eyed and slight exterior. She is one tough and feisty street fighter. She is not afraid to take on political opponents, much bigger and much fatter than she is. What she lacks in size, she makes up in smarts and political guts. She knows the transit file cold.

And on the transit file, she has considerable cred in the City of Toronto, across both party and ideological lines.

In the left corner, is the highly over-rated, overweight and over the top, Ontario Transport Minister Glen Murray. Clearly a pompous pontificator, and way over his head on this Scarborough subway file.

And the loosest of Wynne’s loose cannons.

According to a Globe and Mail article, Stintz made it very clear to Murray that the Ontario Government should stand by its previously stated obligation to contribute $1.8 billion to the proposed Scarborough Subway.

Which subway was approved in Toronto City Council by a decisive 26-18 margin. Where Toronto liberals and leftists joined with City councillors in the centre and on the right behind Mayor Ford and Karen Stintz.

As further reported in the Globe article,

“Informed of Ms. Stintz’s comments during his news conference, Mr. Murray shot back: ‘Maybe Karen Stintz should run in a by-election then.

‘My message to Karen Stintz is: decide whose side you’re on. Are you with the people of Scarborough?’ he said in the blazing sun on the Kennedy GO Train platform, flanked by several local MPPs and Mitzie Hunter, the Liberals’ candidate in an area by-election. ‘It’s time to stand with the people of Scarborough or stand with those who think the people of Scarborough are second-class citizens.’

Mr. Murray grew increasingly testy throughout the news conference. Asked about city council’s stipulation that the province put $1.8-billion into the subway, Mr. Murray dismissed it out of hand: ‘I’m in charge here,’ he said. Later, when a journalist asked whether the government was agreeing to the subway to win the by-election, Mr. Murray questioned the reporter’s credentials.”

So here is Mr. Murray standing with several Liberal Scarborough MPPs, all of whom have been pushing Premier Wynne and Murray hard for weeks, to support the more popular choice of a Scarborough subway.

Murray is also standing with Mitzie Hunter, who is trying to hold on to the Scarborough seat formerly held by a Liberal MPP, in a very tight by-election race against a surging Conservative candidate.

This should have been a political slam dunk for Murray. The Liberals have publicly stated that they are in favour of a subway option, provided the Toronto City Council could get its act together and agree on this course of action. Which it did, as above stated.

So here is a great political opportunity for Murray, Wynne and the Liberals to be supporting a politically popular policy that has widespread support in the Scarborough community and widespread support from Toronto City Councillors.

It is also the first time that Rob Ford has supported paying in part for this Scarborough subway through a property tax increase, one of the key demands of Premier Wynne and the Ontario Liberals.

For some strange reason, the stars are aligning for this subway and the Ontario Liberals.

This should be a win-win for the Wynne Liberals.

So instead of showing leadership on this subway file, and being positive, upbeat and co-operative, Murray, in the middle of a press conference, decides quite irrationally to pick a fight with Karen Stintz and question her commitment to a Scarborough subway and the people of Scarborough?

And to challenge her, a city Councillor and TTC chairman, to run in the provincial by election?

Has this guy lost his marbles?

Has Murray gone stark raving bonkers?

Then to add further insult to injury, instead of being co-operative and diplomatic, he testily declares that “he is in charge.” In other words, it is my way, or the highway. (More accurately, the LRT, but I digress.)

Then Murray completes his disastrous public appearance, by calling into question the press credentials of a City Hall reporter, who had the audacity to ask him a fairly basic question, as to whether the Liberals’ support for the Scarborough subway, was directly a result of the upcoming by-election.

Verdict: the bantam weight Stintz, knocked out Murray. Humiliated him. And then pinned Murray to the mat in the first round.

And because of Murray’s Liberal arrogance, incompetence, and disastrous public appearance, the Scarborough by-election is not only wide open, but I believe that Murray’s outburst has hurt the Liberals’ chances in the other races being determined in the August 1, provincial by election.

Because it is apparent that Murray, not the more touchy feely Wynne, clearly represents the true face of the arrogant and entitled Ontario Liberal party, who clearly has not learned from the many Liberal scandals, during former Premier McGuinty’s reign: eHealth, OLG, Ornge, and the gas plant cancellations and cover up.

As a side note, while Stintz was going womano a mano after Murray, Mayor Ford, was uncharacteristically, acting the good cop to Stintz’s bad cop.

In fact, Mayor Ford was being down right diplomatic.

As reported in the same Globe article, “Mayor Rob Ford’s office, which has been in discussions for weeks with Premier Kathleen Wynne’s staff, went into damage control mode as the war of words intensified. In a statement Thursday afternoon, the mayor said, “discussions are ongoing — we are moving in the right direction.”

All I can say, is “Holy Metternich and Henry Kissinger, Batman!”

Wow, our very own Mayor never ceases to surprise. Who would have thought that Mayor Ford, would be the voice of reason, diplomacy, calm, co-operation and firm resolve?

As to the out of control, Murray, if I was Premier Wynne, I would go all “control freaking Harper” on Murray’s posterior, and put him on a very, very tight leash.

In order words, from here on out, he should just be seen and never heard.

These Subway Follies, ain’t over yet, folks.

I would like to echo the immortal words of Prime Minister Harper when he described the virtues of the Keystone XL pipeline.

Harper and his Conservatives providing additional funding to build the new Scarborough Subway (the extension of the Bloor-Danforth line from Kennedy Station to the Scarborough Town Centre) is a “complete no-brainer.”

Let me elaborate.

Firstly, the option of a subway line from Kennedy Station to the Scarborough Town Centre makes very good sense from a public transit standpoint.

According to the recent report by Toronto City Manager Pennachetti, whereas the Light Rail Transit (LRT) option would cover a larger geographic area — including seven stations and come at a lower cost — the subway extension option, with only three stations, would have higher speed, higher quality service, higher ridership and no transfer for passengers from one mode to another at Kennedy station.

Thus giving commuters a fast, transfer-free ride to and from Scarborough. And although the cost of the subway is high, subways last 75 to 100 years, as opposed to about 40 years for LRTs, so it will be worth the investment in the long term.

Secondly, I would argue that providing Scarborough’s 625,000+ population (about 24 per cent of Toronto’s entire population) even a quarter of the public transit benefits that Scarborough’s much more affluent neighbors in Old Toronto (Danforth, Beaches, Rosedale, Annex, West Annex, Forest Hill, High Park) have enjoyed for decades, is the fair, equitable and even the morally right thing to do.

As I have previously written, unlike their affluent neighbors in Old Toronto, manyScarberians do not live close to where they work, so they cannot generally walk or bike to work. Many Scarberians do not have the extra cash flow to own or lease cars. Their only option is public transit. Which in Scarborough, means — for the most part –waiting for overcrowded buses in Toronto’s freezing cold winters. Or riding the TTC’s hot and overcrowded buses in Toronto’s humid summers.

Therefore, common sense, fairness, equity and even morality, dictate that the priorities of public transit should be directed to helping out those in Toronto’s outer lying suburbs, like Scarborough, where public transit is more of a necessity than in Toronto’s affluent neighborhoods.

Thirdly, by providing new federal funding to this Scarborough subway, Harper cannot be accused of favoring the mythic conservative base or favoring federal ridings held by exclusively conservative representatives. As four of the current Scarborough federal ridings are held by either NDP or Liberal MPs.

However, this is where things can become very interesting, politically speaking.

I believe all the four Scarborough ridings held by the NDP or Liberals are in play. The Conservatives were competitive in each of these ridings in the last federal election. Harper’s renewed interest in the needs of Scarborough residents, especially their particular public transit needs, will have a positive influence on Scarborough residents in the next federal election.

Fourthly, contrary to the desires of certain provincial premiers and mayors, when it comes to infrastructure funding, Harper and his government just do not want to hand over a blank cheque to the premiers or the mayors to fund comprehensive ongoing infrastructure projects. Harper’s government prefers project-by-project funding in which the federal government plays a significant role, and accordingly, obtains some credit for its substantive role.

The proposed funding of the Scarborough subway is consistent with these principles, where the Ontario government and the City of Toronto have “skin” (capital) in the game, and where the federal government’s contribution and its role are critical to the success of this project.

Fifthly, Harper has a once in a political lifetime situation where the sitting Toronto Mayor is even more socially and fiscally conservative than Harper. Ford is also sincerely friendly to, and supportive of, the Harper government and has a warm and genuine relationship with Finance Minister Flaherty. And Ford has based a large part of his mayoralty on delivering, “subways, subways, subways.”

So if Harper can step up to the plate and deliver the fed’s capital portion — say, 600 big ones ($600 million) — and nail down the Scarborough subway deal, you know that Mayor Ford and his many supporters would be extolling the virtues of the Harper government, from now until through the next federal election. Talk about a huge bang for the federal bucks!

Sixthly, the populist appeal of Rob Ford. I have been closely following Canadian and American politics from the 1960s. I have followed such forceful and charismatic leaders as the Kennedys, (John and Robert), Trudeau, Mulroney, Reagan, Clinton and Obama. I know some of you may think that I am off my meds or smoking illegal substances, but the populist appeal of Rob Ford is the real deal.

I recently attended Ford Fest in Scarborough where over 15,000 people of all ages, ethnic, religious and cultural backgrounds (95 per cent in attendance were non-white) came out to see, hear and have their photo taken with Mayor Ford. Not for the free food or beer, but to be with Ford.

This extremely diverse crowd really love this guy. They identify with and trust Ford because they sincerely believe that he will not waste their hard-earned income on unnecessary taxes and unnecessary expenditures. They love the fact that for many years when he was just a political outsider, he did not ding the taxpayers for his office expenses. He also did not abuse their taxpayer money, like so many so-called leftist councillors, who flew all over Canada and the world on the taxpayers’ dime.

Ford’s simple message of guarding the public purse, cutting waste and providing subways, resonate with the hard-working and striving immigrant communities and the general public throughout the GTA, outside of the elites of downtown Toronto.

My point is that Rob Ford’s support and the support of his very real and growing Ford Nation, can contribute to Harper making further inroads into the GTA in the next federal election.

Seventhly, and perhaps the most interesting point. Harper’s recent Cabinet shuffle indicates that Harper will continue to play to his strength, that is, his administration’s desire and ability to prudently manage the economy, balance the budget and cut taxes.

But I agree with Jamie Watt, well-known political consultant. Harper has to do more. He has to do something fresh. Something innovative and a bit out of the box in order for his party to definitely succeed in the next election.

The Keystone XL pipeline is no slam dunk. Neither is the Canada- EU Free Trade agreement. And both are outside of Harper’s control.

By contrast, I think an innovative urban transit initiative is worth pursuing — deal-bydeal, project-by-project — but fast-tracked (pun intended).

Using the federal funding of the new Scarborough subway as a template for a successful tripartite co-operation between Ottawa, Ontario and the City of Toronto. In which all three parties have skin in the game. It’s a win, win, win, for everyone.

Then using this model aggressively in other urban centres in Ontario, Quebec and other parts of Canada.

The policy objectives are clear and achievable:

• Reduce gridlock.
• Provide better public transit to urban immigrant communities. It is time Canada gave to these immigrant communities the respect they deserve and the better means to access work and their homes.
• Increase productivity.
• Intensify live/work environments along the public transit lines.
• Attract government agencies, and public and private companies (with incentives, if necessary) to set up shop along the transit lines. And thus attract jobs. Increase employment.
• And thus, reduce car usage, carbon emissions and preserve the environment.

So, Mr. Prime Minister: It is time to let your hair down and let your freak out! It’s to go large on urban transit, and all its collateral benefits.

And it starts with Scarberia.

Game on, Mr. Prime Minister.

I respect the City Councillors Josh Matlow of St. Paul’s ward and Gord Perks of Parkdale-High Park ward.

It is just too bad they do not respect the wishes of the long-suffering residents of Scarborough.

Who want and deserve a piece of the same subway/ transit benefits and opportunities that Matlow and Perks’ own downtown Toronto constituents enjoy.

You see, currently, most Scarborough residents spend anywhere from 30 to 60 minutes waiting for and then riding on overcrowded and hot buses, just to gain access to the current Scarborough subway stop at the Kennedy station..

Before even hopping on the subway for another 45 minutes to downtown Toronto.

While Matlow’s more affluent St. Paul’s constituents have the options of taking their cars, or biking to downtown Toronto. Or the luxury of walking ( or short busing) to either the Yonge or University-Spadina subway lines, for a relatively much easier and shorter subway transit ride to downtown Toronto.

While also Perks’ more affluent constituents have the luxury of hopping on the Bloor subways lines for relatively easier access to downtown Toronto.

In the downtown Toronto wards of St. Pauls and Parkdale- High Park, many Toronto residents have made it. They are experiencing the Canadian dream and are taking a big bite out of the Canadian/Toronto urban pie.

Many of the residents of the former city of Scarborough, in the outer reaches of Toronto, are immigrants, new Canadians. They are poorer than their St. Paul’s and Parkdale- High Park neighbors. So they have come to Scarborough where apartments and housing are more affordable.

And sometimes where public housing complexes and some neighborhoods are more problematical. Many Scarberians do not have the extra cash flow to own or lease cars. Their only option is public transit. Which in Scarborough means for the most part, waiting for overcrowded buses in Toronto’s freezing cold winters. Or riding the TTC’s hot and overcrowded buses in Toronto’s humid summers.

Many such Scarberians are hard-working intelligent people with foreign professional and academic credentials not recognized by Canadian authorities or Canadian society. Many are non-white. Many struggle with English as a second language. Many struggle with adapting to Canadian culture. They have come to Canada, and especially Toronto, to start again. To make a good and financially secure life for themselves and their families.

Notwithstanding facing obstacles of subtle discrimination, lack of Canadian experience and a tough job market, these Scarberians also want to gain a foothold in the good life that their St.Paul’s and Parkdale-High Park neighbors currently enjoy. They also want to experience the Canadian Dream of owning a nice home or condo in a safe and accessible area for their families, with good schooling and shops nearby.

Common sense, fairness, equity and even morality, dictate that the priorities of public transit should be directed to helping out those in Toronto’s outer lying suburbs, like Scarborough, where public transit is more of a necessity than in Toronto’s affluent neighborhoods of Forest Hill, (St. Paul’s ward) or High Park (Parkdale-High Park ward).

And you would think that such downtown Toronto leftist/liberals like councillors Josh Matlow (St. Pauls) and Gord Perks (Parkdale-High Park) who pride themselves on “looking after the little guy,” the disadvantaged and those most vulnerable in society, would be front and centre and advocating vigorously for better public transit for Scarberians.

Unfortunately, as I have always suspected, such leftist/ liberals like Matlow and Perks, talk the talk. But they don’t walk, the walk.

When push comes to shove, when you strip away their faux concern for the working man, these leftists/ liberals are just SWAGs (smug, white, affluent gentry) at heart.

Both Matlow and Perks are insensitive to the needs of the long-suffering subway-challenged Scarberians —
their less well off neighbors in the northeast of Toronto.

They only care about themselves and the selfish and self-centred needs of their affluent constituents.

Let me elaborate.

In his most recent report, City Manager Pennachetti, stated that assuming the Ontario government would provide the $1.8 billion set aside for Light Rail Transit (LRT) for Scarborough to the Scarborough Subway option, (the extension of the Bloor-Danforth subway from the Kennedy station to the Scarborough Town Centre), the City of Toronto would need an additional $1 billion to $1.5 billion to construct the Scarborough Subway option.

Pennachetti said that this sum could be funded provided that the City increase taxes of 1.1% to 2.4% over three years and that the federal government provide the balance in cash, between, $418 million to $660 million.

Pennachetti also reported that whereas the LRT option would cover a larger geographic area, include seven stations and come at a lower cost, the subway extension option , with only three stations, would have higher speed, higher quality service, higher ridership and no transfer for passengers from one mode to another at Kennedy station.

In other words, the subway option is a superior mode of public transit — higher speed, higher quality service, higher ridership and no transfer for passengers from one mode to another at Kennedy station.

Mayor Ford, for the first time, has gone on record supporting an increase in Toronto taxes by 0.25% to fund specifically the Scarborough subway option.

It is significant to note that TTC Chair Karen Stintz, after reading the Pennachetti’s report is also very supportive of the subway option.

The same article reported, “TTC chair Karen Stintz was optimistic the plan outlined by the city manager’s report would secure “the right subway” for Scarborough.

“I think council is in the position to finance this construction over the next 30 years,” Stintz said. “I think it is encouraging that the mayor is recognizing that subways cost money and that the taxpayers might have to pay for subways in the city.”

Stintz said she expected the province to honour its commitment to providing the $1.8 billion for a replacement to the Scarborough RT and that the project would be eligible for federal infrastructure funding because it would be considered a new project.

It is also interesting to note that this past week-end, Federal Finance MinisterFlaherty was reported to have confirmed that there is some infrastructure funding available for a Scarborough subway, provided the Toronto City Council could agree on such an option.

So to recap.

The City Manager and City officials believe that the Scarborough subway option is a better transit option than the LRT.

As noted above, potential funding for the subway option appears to be available, in terms of federal infrastructure funding, ($400 million to $600 million), the ability of the City to borrow a manageable $400-500 million, and the City raising a modest tax increase over 3 years.

Also add the support of the Ontario government, Mayor Ford, TTC Chairman Karen Stintz, the Scarborough councilors and the current federal government.

What also should really clinch it, for you lefty Scarborough Subway deniers, is that none other, than the Prime Minister in Waiting, the wavy-haired Justin Trudeau, is also in favour of the Scarborough subway.

Notwithstanding the above, Councillor Josh Matlow, is still vehemently opposed to a subway for Scarborough.

Contrary to all the above positive evidence, that such a Scarborough subway option is doable, reasonable and the fair, equitable and right thing to do as above noted,Matlow argued, (as I contend, irrationally and selfishly) that the subway push defied pro-taxpayer logic, as follows:

“(The report says) taxes would have to go up and the city would go dangerously into debt to pay for a plan that doesn’t make sense,” Matlow said.

“It would serve fewer Scarborough residents, cost a billion dollars more and when it comes to it — either a subway or an LRT would be completely grade separated — so I don’t see why’d we spend a billion dollars more to do that.”

Matlow argued this isn’t the LRT versus subway debate the city plunged into last year.
“This is about what makes sense on this specific route,” he said.
“If you look at the evidence, a reasonable person concludes, that it’s not worth a billion dollars of higher taxes and deeper debt to pay for it.”

And Councillor Perks is not much better when he also argued, contrary to the evidence and quite irrelevantly,

That Ford was rejecting the city manager’s plan by not committing to the full tax hike.”So there is no plan for funding a subway,” Perks said. “There is no such thing as a discount subway shop.”

Both Matlow and Perks should be ashamed of themselves.

Under the false guise of arguing incorrectly that Toronto would go dangerously into debt or face enormous taxes, these Councillors are putting the selfish interests of themselves and their affluent constituents over the interests of some of Toronto’s most needy residents, who desire and deserve good and effective public transit.

That is, subways, subways, subways.

It is about time that Matlow and Perks and their affluent constituents, show the respect to the Scarberians, that they deserve.

It is time to Man up, Matlow!
And Perk up, Perks!

And stop being so SWAG!!!