Real Governance Changes "In Principle"

Today the Policy and Finance Committee endorsed the governance change recommendations of the Blue Ribbon Panel that made a few headlines last week. As one reporter put it, "Not a Strong Mayor model but perhaps a Robust Mayor model." While the Policy and Finance committee adopted most of the recommendations in principle, they did move that community input to the specific recommendations is warranted.

The opportunity for the community to give input will be provided at the Community Council level in North York. Not a bad way, in my view, to indicate right off the bat that local Community Councils could perhaps become a bit more of a vehicle for Civic Engagement. We exercised this method back in 2004 when each Community Council was making a major policy decision on a Private Tree Bylaw. The model could improve over time even more, given that one of the recommendations is that some portion of Community Council meetings should take place in the evening hours.

For those who want to delve into the detail and then to provide input, give us a call at the office or drop me an email request at councillor_carroll@toronto.ca and we will see that you get a copy of the booklet, "The City We Want-The Government We Need." As there will not be an NYCC until January, there is lots of time for you to read the recommendation booklet over the holiday. And what better way to spend one's holiday!!