Still time for Toronto to debate election issues, Ontario minister says

The Ontario government says there’s still plenty of time for candidates in Toronto’s fall election to debate issues of importance to residents, despite an ongoing battle between the province and the city over the size of council.

Environment Minister Rod Phillips says those conversations can still take place before the Oct. 22 vote, noting that provincial election campaigns are 30 days long.

His comments come amid concerns that the province’s move to slash council to 25 seats from 47 has dominated discourse among voters, leaving little room for topics like transit or affordable housing.

The Progressive Conservative government reintroduced its council-cutting legislation this week after a judge found the original legislation was unconstitutional.

Premier Doug Ford invoked a rarely used constitutional provision to ensure the new bill’s implementation, drawing criticism from many who said he wasn’t using the provision as intended.

Meanwhile, the official in charge of running Toronto’s election has said it’s becoming “virtually impossible” to ensure a fair vote next month.

Legislators will be called back to Queen’s Park on Saturday at 1 p.m. to help speed up debate on the bill, dubbed the Efficient Local Government Act.

Both Ontario’s NDP and Liberal party have vowed to introduce amendments to the bill that could potentially delay its passage.

The NDP said Thursday it will challenge the bill under rules that preclude legislators from introducing substantially the same bill twice in one session and bar the legislature from debating an item currently before the courts.

In a statement Thursday night, Tory House Leader Todd Smith confirmed the government is willing to sit this weekend to move the legislation forward.

“While the NDP are playing procedural games to delay the passage of the Efficient Local Government Act, the PCs are willing to work around the clock through the weekend to speed up the passage of the bill,” Smith said.