Yes or no to megacity?


At the start of January 1998, Toronto’s six municipal governments were amalgamated into one megacity, but a decade later financial problems still exist. The idea of amalgamation came with promises of huge cost savings, even cuts in property tax, but that never happened. Many blame the amalgamation for financial problems the city still faces today. The Conservative provincial government of Mike Harris promised amalgamation wouldn’t hurt the new city financially. But Toronto’s costs rose fast and revenue didn’t. The promised savings never materialized, nor did those property tax decreases. Harris later said that Toronto failed to make the necessary cuts. But others say Harris failed to realize how expensive such a large government would become. Property tax revenue barely budged, yet the cost of wages, social services and other programs skyrocketed. Over the following years, Toronto sunk deeper and deeper into a financial hole. Toronto now has new tax revenue coming in and it is hoped that this spring the provincial government may once again start paying for the expensive social programs cities were handed at amalgamation. What’s your view? Did amalgamation help or hinder the development of the city? Do you like the new GTA, or would you prefer the old municipalities?

Photo: Branches in the wind – video
Downloadable file is a mpg. High Quality. Screen demo is flash. Frame size is 720 by 480. Frame Rate is 24. TV Standard. Please Note You may email us for other file types. supportstockphotoandvideostore.com . Video taken by Rob Scribner.Keywords: wind branches tree woods landscape

Photo: Running River 2
Downloadable file is a mpg. High Quality. Screen demo is flash. Frame size is 720 by 480. Frame Rate is 24. TV Standard. Please Note You may email us for other file types. rnrnsupportstockphotoandvideostore.com . Video taken by Rob Scribner.Keywords: river falls waterfall stream stealhead falls oregon.

Plans dumped for First Nations casino north of Brandon
A plan to build a First Nations owned and operated casino in southwestern Manitoba has been scrapped once again after talks between owners of the building site and the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs stalled.

Stop or GO?
The union representing GO Transit bus drivers and ticket agents says it’s not a matter of if, but when, its members will go on strike. A notice on the union’s website says the company will not be making any further offers and the union executive will meet Thursday to “determine when we will commence job action against the employer.” A final attempt by the company and the union to negotiate a new agreement failed on Wednesday. Unionized workers have been without a contract since June 1. It means nearly 1,200 bus drivers, ticket agents, office workers and maintenance crews could go on strike with 48 hours notice. Although GO train crews are not part of the same union – and GO trains will continue to run in the event of a strike – delays are expected. Do you use GO Transit? How will a strike affect your daily routine? Should public transit drivers be declared an essential service? What’s Your View?