Premier Doug Ford’s determination to cut the size of Toronto’s city council should concern people in Greater Sudbury, a Ward 11 candidate said on weekend.
Terry Kett, who represented Ward 11 from 2010-2014 (and Ward 1 from 2003-2006, as well as being mayor of the Town of Walden from 1991-1997), said the Ford government has “declared war” against Ontario’s municipalities.
“Make no mistake, this government has declared war against the province’s municipalities. Sudbury is a progressive city with immense potential; it’s only a matter of time until we are in the crosshairs of the current provincial government,” he wrote in a news release.
For this reason, Kett argued voters need to consider who to cast their ballot for and ensure they do so for “experienced, strong, determined officials”
The full text of Kett’s release is below.
Representation Matters: Your Voices Matter
The Ford government’s recent move to cut Toronto’s city council in half should be cause for concern for every resident of Greater Sudbury.
Make no mistake, this government has declared war against the province’s municipalities. Sudbury is a progressive city with immense potential; it’s only a matter of time until we are in the crosshairs of the current provincial government.
Reports indicate that Ottawa and other larger cities may be next in losing municipal representation in office. Let's put this in perspective: Prior to the change in Toronto city’s council, representation was 62,000 residents: One elected official, now: 109,000 residents: One elected official. In Sudbury, this would mean: 1.5 elected officials to the entire population of our city.
It is more important now than ever to elect experienced, strong, determined officials.
With the municipal election one month away, some key thoughts to consider:
We are a progressive city with immense potential, and the hub of Northeastern Ontario; get involved, speak up with your vote - we can achieve our full potential;
* Our growth has been predicted by experts to hit a historic high of 174,000 in the 2020s.Quality local representation is critical to make this a reality.
* Think critically about what we can afford, and what we need now and in the near future to see our city fulfil its potential while meeting residents' needs.
To learn more about Kett, visit his election page on Sudbury.com.
