Toronto the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly
Oy Toronto.
So, my Albertan father-in-law loves to gripe about Toronto. Whether or not his complaints are legitimate or relate to the fact that his son no longer calls Alberta home is up for debate. The point however, is that for the past several years I’ve found myself in the position of having to defend the city that I call home.
And usually this is not too difficult a task. Toronto is a multicultural mecca; from food to entertainment, there’s very little you can’t find here. And for a city its size, it’s pretty clean, safe and affordable.
Unfortunately however, Toronto is headed for disaster. It seems that the city has $100 million dollar budget shortfall, and the Mayor’s proposed solution – an increase in property and vehicle registration taxes – was defeated yesterday at city council. So now the city has to find $100 million dollars in savings elsewhere, i.e. in massive cuts to public services. Plans to shut down the Sheppard subway line (which Mel shelled out a billion to build...”nobody” else would be that stupid…), a $30 million cut in police, fire and ambulance services; cuts to libraries, community and recreation centres; cancellation of proposed climate change plans, Nathan Phillips Square and city hall renovations, and a hiring freeze.
Bottom line – because of council’s desire not to tax the citizens, the citizens are going to lose all the amenities that any self-respecting city should offer. Colossally stupid, in my humble opinion. So it won’t cost any more to register my car or sell my house, but the roads I drive on will be crappy, and my neighbourhood services will be non-existent (which will probably lower my property value…)
It’s quite well-known that most Canadians dislike Torontonians at least a little bit. Perhaps it’s because we like to delude ourselves into believing we live in the best city in the world. Once the service cuts are implemented and we Torontonians become aware of how shitty this city actually is, will that mean that other Canadians will like us more? If so, maybe my father-in-law the Albertan will visit more often.
Oy Toronto.
So, my Albertan father-in-law loves to gripe about Toronto. Whether or not his complaints are legitimate or relate to the fact that his son no longer calls Alberta home is up for debate. The point however, is that for the past several years I’ve found myself in the position of having to defend the city that I call home.
And usually this is not too difficult a task. Toronto is a multicultural mecca; from food to entertainment, there’s very little you can’t find here. And for a city its size, it’s pretty clean, safe and affordable.
Unfortunately however, Toronto is headed for disaster. It seems that the city has $100 million dollar budget shortfall, and the Mayor’s proposed solution – an increase in property and vehicle registration taxes – was defeated yesterday at city council. So now the city has to find $100 million dollars in savings elsewhere, i.e. in massive cuts to public services. Plans to shut down the Sheppard subway line (which Mel shelled out a billion to build...”nobody” else would be that stupid…), a $30 million cut in police, fire and ambulance services; cuts to libraries, community and recreation centres; cancellation of proposed climate change plans, Nathan Phillips Square and city hall renovations, and a hiring freeze.
Bottom line – because of council’s desire not to tax the citizens, the citizens are going to lose all the amenities that any self-respecting city should offer. Colossally stupid, in my humble opinion. So it won’t cost any more to register my car or sell my house, but the roads I drive on will be crappy, and my neighbourhood services will be non-existent (which will probably lower my property value…)
It’s quite well-known that most Canadians dislike Torontonians at least a little bit. Perhaps it’s because we like to delude ourselves into believing we live in the best city in the world. Once the service cuts are implemented and we Torontonians become aware of how shitty this city actually is, will that mean that other Canadians will like us more? If so, maybe my father-in-law the Albertan will visit more often.
posted by Emma Jo Aiken-Klar, PhD at 6:45 PM
2 Comments:
Hey Unhappy Torontonian:
A few thoughts.. Mayber your Albertan father-in-law has legitimate complaints about "The City" AND is unhappy that his son, sweet grand-daughter, and blogging wife do not call Alberta home.. Nu? Maybe it just SUCKS...
There are a few things you cannot find in Toronto b.t.w... like clean, breathable, smogless air, affordable homes, decent traffic flow, parking spots, oil wells, and a huge surplus..
And remember we can hate the City but love the citizens.. well, its possible..
but we do love you.. so chill out..
kisses to Delilah..
Lewnormk
I would watch out what kisses you accept because they may be filled with mad cow disease, Western alienation disorder, and empty-nest syndrome...not to mention a slight bitter taste from currently being behind Moe in the grandchild race.
Although, i do have to admit that he is winning the most frugal son race.
Post a Comment
<< Home