How Toronto has fared as one big city

Misc CDN | 365 hits | Dec 29 9:05 am | Posted by: kitty

Ten years ago, six municipalities were merged to create today's Toronto. There are those who still believe amalgamation damaged the city, while others say it will take more time before the benefits are realized.

Comments

by kevlarman
Fri Dec 28, 2007 10:55 pm
Like it or not, this needs to happen to a few other cities in Canada like Vancouver for starters...
by Delwin
Sat Dec 29, 2007 7:35 pm
I think as a whole, it has worked for the better. It didn't make sense to have 6 seperate mayors, 6 seperate city councils, 6 seperate school boards, etc. Just too many hands in the pie.

We have gone from 52 departments and 206 divisions, to 6 departments and 37 divisions. We have gone from six fire departments and six fire chiefs, to one. We have gone from six property tax and six water billing systems, to one each. There are many examples of this type of consolidation within the new city.

http://www.toronto.ca/toronto_history/a ... speech.htm

The only downside is that the areas of the city that generated huge taxes(ie downtown, and North York) now have to spread that money around to the "have not" parts of the city. Of course, I am all about sharing the wealth so I am for the decision, especially since many people have to travel downtown to work so it is fair to use municipal taxes generated from the area throughout the city.
by ryan29
Sun Dec 30, 2007 12:01 am
agree this has more or less worked out so far . and previous system wasn't really working out and too complex .

but maybe downside has been all the city council disputes and disagreements over taxes and things . it seems certain areas of city have one idea and others have another idea , so maybe there all having a hard time geting along .