— Musings —05.27.2019 09:34 AM
When you’re wrong, admit it (updated)
And Doug Ford has, actually. It isn’t ever easy to do, politically, but Ford deserves recognition for doing so.
So, how did this problem happen? Well, I’ve known Ford for a few years, and I can tell you he isn’t an ideological maniac or a micromanager. He generally always appoints the best people he can find – in his case, even his two leadership rivals (Mulroney and Elliott) to two of the most senior posts in government – and he delegates to them.
I am told what happened, here, is he delegated. And those folks – the delagatees? delegators? delawares? – didn’t reach out to Ontario municipal politicians. Having been an Ontario municipal politician himself, Ford knew that was big mistake. Today, he fixed that.
But full credit where credit is due: John Tory was a champ, here. He led the charge, and his weekend door-knocking was a masterstroke. Kudos to John and his excellent team, too.
@fordnation abandoning the retroactive cuts is smart. And a huge win for @JohnTory. #onpoli #topoli pic.twitter.com/v7Jd3kAKNn
— Warren Kinsella (@kinsellawarren) May 27, 2019
Mayors made their case that budgets were already passed and cuts should be discussed next year. Ford government saw the wisdom of that given the outcry and agreed.
Seems to be terribly disappointing to the opposition and some members of the media that such a compromise was reached.
Typical.
Yeah, it’s gutsy and smart of Ford but who, once again, ends up smelling like a rose…?
He has done this numerous times in his short government.
Using the notwithstanding clause became unnecessary.
Allowing Green Belt and other environmental laws to be ignored to create a few jobs was withdrawn.
His friend withdrew from becoming head of the OPP.
Autism funding for existing treatment programs was restored
If you think repeatedly hauling your ass out of yet another needless fire of your own making is ‘smart’ than I guess so. But, its a pretty low bar.
The biggest threat was a property tax increase they where going to name after Doug Ford.
And here he is again! Getting ready for the next dumpster fire….
https://www.thestar.com/politics/provincial/2019/05/27/ford-government-to-expand-alcohol-sales-to-corner-stores.html
Christian,
We’ve had that in Quebec for decades now.
Quebec has a significantly higher rate of heavy drinking then Ontario (18% vs 23%).
Christian was probably refuring to the hundreds of millions of penalties the province will likely have to pay, but the enormous personal, health and economic cost of increased alcoholism is likely to be far greater in the long run.
Exactly. Also guessing that by the time the bill is actually passed and all the litigation has been completed the contract would’ve been done anyway.
Christian
Do you recognize that Ontario likely has the most restrictive process for selling alcoholic beverages in the western world? You have to go to one place to purchase beer and another to purchase wine or spirits! Really!
Alberta deregulated distribution more than 25 years ago. In Okotoks, a town of 29,000 I have probably 25 choices including Costco, Sobeys, Co-op and a local guy with 10% senior discounts daily. We have greater access, greater choice, lower prices and a population that would never go back to archaic practices. You should discontinue the Beer Store and the LCBO for the people.
So, you’re an alcoholic then. Its not that onerous getting booze in Ontario my friend. FYI – you can get both beer and wine at the grocery store now. Ease of access is not my (nor anyone else’s concern that I’m aware of). Breaking a contract that will cost Ontario taxpayers 100s of millions in penalties and legal fees IS my concern. Especially since this government is going around claiming that the province is too broke to pay for basic societal necessities.
If you have to break a contract to get rid of a stupid, archaic policy then I say break the contract.
Europeans come to Canada, look at our booze policies and rightly think we’re insane.
Some people think that private ownership of the command heights of the economy is a stupid, archaic policy.
Yeah, those European countries like France are wild west, capitalist dystopias, aren’t they?