Toronto City Councillor
Ward 25 Don Valley West

NOTICE OF MOTION

TORONTO CITY COUNCIL

OCTOBER 26, 27, 28, 2005

Subject: Campaign Finance Reform

Moved by: Councillor Michael Walker Ward 22, St. Paul’s

Seconded by: Councillor Cliff Jenkins Ward 25, Don Valley West

Submitted: October 12, 2005

“WHEREAS, Premier Dalton McGuinty campaigned in 2003 on a promise of bringing in democratic renewal for Ontario and created a ministerial portfolio for this purpose; and

WHEREAS, the influence of money in government may be corrosive and corruptive as evidenced in so many recent scandals in all three levels of government; and

WHEREAS, the public is becoming extremely cynical of government in response to continuing scandals in government; and

WHEREAS, confidence in public officials has been eroding steadily over the past decade; and

WHEREAS, during its meeting of September 28 – October 1, 2004, City Council approved a Election Finance Reform package for City of Toronto elections which was then forwarded to the Provincial government to pass enabling amendments to the Municipal Elections Act; and

WHEREAS, Mayor David Miller and Councillor Michael Walker met with the Honourable John Gerretsen, Minister of Municipal Affairs, on April 21, 2005 regarding the urgent approval of changes to the Municipal Elections Act to enable the City of Toronto to pass bylaws on Election Finance Reform for the 2006 municipal election; and

WHEREAS, it was discussed at that meeting with Minister Gerretsen that any enabling provincial legislation would be permissive and allow any municipality in Ontario to pass similar bylaws regarding their own election process; and

WHEREAS, doing business with government involves huge amounts of money and profits to the private sector (i.e. – planning approvals; leasing contracts (MFP); union contracts); and

WHEREAS, the purpose of Election Finance Reform during election time is to remove the inordinate influence of corporate and union donations on incumbents and challengers alike; and

WHEREAS, if changes to the Municipal Elections Act are not made now it is probable that the momentum for these reforms will be lost and no Election Finance Reform will be implemented for the foreseeable future; NOW

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT City Council reaffirm its position of September 28 – October 1, 2004 on the need for strict changes to the Municipal Elections Act regarding Election Finance Reform; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT City Council urgently request the McGuinty Government to pass legislation early in its fall term of the Legislature to enable the changes requested by Toronto City Council regarding Election Finance Reform; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT City Council strongly identify the need for timely passage of this legislation because City bylaws have to be passed by the end of 2005 for Election Finance Reform to take effect for the 2006 municipal election; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the appropriate City officials be directed to take any action necessary to give effect to the foregoing, including the introduction in Council of any Bills that may be required.”