Nov 28, 2014
By Jane Brown
It appears John Tory has decided to take a seat on the high profile Toronto Police Services Board, which is about to enter into hard hitting contract negotiations with the Toronto Police Association. A published report says the mayor-elect is also dropping Councillors Frances Nunziata and Michael Thompson, who is vice-chair, from the civilian oversight body.
At his state of the city news conference yesterday, Tory said he’s not satisfied with the overall state of the relationship between the police services board, the police service itself and the community. He explained that he wants to place a very high priority on building confidence in the police service by focusing on continuous reform and updating of police practices.
Tory also talked about his priority of transit funding.
“The issue of capital and operating funding for transit has not been the subject of any kind of constant dialogue for the past number of years between the city and the other levels of government including in particular the provincial government,” Tory explained, “and I intend to begin addressing this issue of a proper, serious, direct dialogue on the transit financing issue with both of those governments in the period of time very soon after I take office.”
Tory also says he wants to restore bus service on 41 routes cut under Mayor Rob Ford, but won’t say if the money needed could come from increased fares.
John Tory will be sworn in as mayor next week.
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