Doug Ford followed a simple strategy in his first debate since entering Toronto’s mayoral race almost two weeks ago. He turned discussion into a shouting match and proceeded to yell loudest.
That’s enough to generate cheers in a hall packed with Ford Nation supporters, but it’s no way to run a city.
Perhaps the most jaw-dropping misrepresentation was his claim that he and his brother, Mayor Rob Ford, had stopped city hall’s tax-and-spend ways and “got 99 per cent of our agenda through by building consensus.”
Say what? Ninety-nine per cent?
Here’s a short list of promises and initiatives the Ford administration failed to deliver: a downtown casino, elimination of the land transfer tax, expansion of the Sheppard subway, cancellation of all Transit City light-rail lines, cutting city council in half, an absurd revisioning of the waterfront, and — the big one — Rob Ford’s 2010 campaign promise to cut Toronto’s operating budget by $1.7 billion. That’s what stopping the “gravy train” was supposed to be about.
For the record, Ford has added $400 million to the budget and is spending and taxing more than his predecessor David Miller ever did. Promise made, promise broken.
What about securing council consensus? Well, the Ford brothers did manage to generate remarkable support for one historic measure: stripping away much of the mayor’s power in light of his cocaine use, drunken stupors, admitted purchase of illegal drugs, and history of shameless lies about all of the above. Principled councillors united against them.
Yes, the Fords carried out some promises. But it’s small gruel compared to the Ford brothers’ claims of transformational change.
Particularly galling was Doug Ford’s dismissive attitude when rival John Tory didn’t know how many standing committees Toronto had. With a flourish, Ford pulled out his phone and told Tory: “You can call the mayor and ask him how many.”
Hold on, call who? Rob Ford? Likely the most clueless chief executive in Toronto’s history, a man legendary for his ignorance, who after 14 years in city politics still can’t grasp concepts basic to his job, such as conflict of interest. It’s a laughable suggestion.
Doug Ford shamelessly followed up with a Wednesday afternoon news conference attacking Tory for having an influential family and for failing Ford’s city hall quiz.
It reeks of desperation. Expect Ford to keep bellowing and grandstanding in keeping with this credo: when there’s nothing of substance to say, say it loud and say it often.
Original Article
Source: thestar.com/
Author: Editorial
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