Standing Committees should represent the whole city

Changes are afoot at City Hall

We're keeping a close watch on all the changes at City Hall resulting from Premier Doug Ford’s cut to local representation. We want to support our members in ensuring that our community is making the most of Toronto's new governance structure.

Last week, City Council adopted a new committee system in light of the reduced 26 member council structure. This week, they will select which councillors sit on each of the new Standing Committees, including the Infrastructure and Environment Committee, which will oversee transportation issues. See the December 12, 2018 Striking Committee Meeting Agenda.
 

We believe Standing Committees should have representation from each of Toronto’s Community Council Areas

Throughout the second half of the last term there were no councillors from Toronto & East York Community Council on the Public Works and Infrastructure Committee. We believe in fair distribution of representation so that the needs of all areas of Toronto are reflected. All Standing Committees should have at least one representative from each of Toronto's four Community Council Areas (Etobicoke York, North York, Scarborough, and Toronto & East York).

This is more important than ever because of Premier Doug Ford’s cut to local representation in Toronto. Better representation creates a more deliberative and inclusive committee process.
 

Write The Mayor, Striking Committee, and Toronto City Council now

This week City Council appointed four councillors to Toronto's Striking Committee: the committee that will recommend to City Council which councillors should sit on each Standing Committee. Take five minutes to write the Mayor, Striking Committee, and Toronto City Council now. We need to make it clear that each Standing Committee should include a seat for at least one councillor from each of Toronto’s four Community Council Areas.

Use the suggested text below, but consider personalizing your message and including your mailing address—it will carry more weight.

To: mayor_tory@toronto.ca, councillor_nunziata@toronto.ca, councillor_crawford@toronto.ca, councillor_robinson@toronto.ca, councillor_holyday@toronto.ca, councilmeeting@toronto.ca

Subject: Standing Committees should represent the whole city

Dear Mayor Tory, Members of Striking Committee, and Toronto City Council,

As a resident of [your neighbourhood], I want to see Toronto governed in a way that reflects our city. I believe in fair distribution of representation, where all Torontonians have a voice. 

That is why I am asking you to support all Standing Committees having at least one representative from each of Toronto’s four Community Council Areas (Etobicoke York, North York, Scarborough, and Toronto & East York).

Better representation will create a more deliberative and inclusive committee process.

Sincerely,

[your name]
[your postal code]

Here is our Joint Letter signed by 28 other local organizations, to Mayor Tory, Members of Striking Committee, and all of Toronto City Council.