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Home My WebLink AboutCL 33/00cw� 1�3 REPORT TO COUNCIL FROM: Bruce Taylor DATE: September 19, 2000 City Clerk REPORT NUMBER: CL 33-00 SUBJECT: Greater Toronto Charter REC014A�NDATION: That the IMter from Alan Broadbent, Avana Capital Corporation, dated July 6, 2000, regarding a Greater Toronto Charter be received; and 7'hat the Council of the Corporation of the City of Pickering hereby endorses the flve Articles set out in The Greater Toronto Charter which is attached to the above letter. ORIGIN: Letter from Alen Broadbent, Avana Capilal Corporation, dated July 6, 2000 AUTHORITY: Municipal Act FINANC[AL IMPLICATIONS: Nat applicable ' EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: Mr. Alan Broadbent, Chairman and CEO, Avana Capital Corporetion, is leading a citizen•initiated process to provide for a special charter for the Greater Toronto Area to gain greater control over govemence and taxation in the GTA. BACKGROUND: Attached to this Report is a letter from Mr. Alan Broadbent, Cheirmen and CEO, Avana Capitel Corporation, who is leading a group of citizens in the Greater Toronto /+rea to find a way for the GTA to gein greater control over its destiny. Also attached for your infortnation is an excerpt from the Minutes of the meeting of the GTA Mayors and Regional Cheirs Committee held on May 12, 2000 wherein Alan Broadbent presented the concept of a Greater Toronto Charter. Besically, Mr. Broadbent is advocating a Charter to provide more eutonomy to the GTA by making the GTA e full partner with the Federal and Provincial govemmcnts, providing moro responsibilities to the GTA that are traditionally handled by the senior lavels of government such as education, health care, immigrant settlement, etc. end by allowing tha GTA greater flexibility in ralsing texes end other revenues. ..,,/Z i i O 4 • RepoA to Council CL 33-00 September 19, 2000 Subject: G: euer Toronto Chuta P�B� Z ATTACF�NTS: l. Letter from Alan Broadbrent dated luly 6, 2000 2. Excerpt of the M'inutes of the GTA Mayors and Regionel Chaire Committa Mating held on Mey 12, 2000 � Prepared L �% / Brua Taylor Ciry Clerk Attaclunents Recommended for the consideration of Pickering Ciry Council � �� omas 1. i Chief Admi 'strative Olticer r M j i 5 ti + J s � . , , ....._� ._�.t. . ...r .� . .n..,.., .. .i , �� .. .. „ . ., . �., ._ �i..i ._ ... .. � ' • 105 . �V N� nr��-��,�:��,.�r�,n � JUL 0 6 2000 U . CITY OF PICKBRINO � . PICKERINO, OWTARIU Mr. Brucc Taylor '- � 1'�� Clerk City of Pickering '• . • 1ThoEsplanada G�Y , Pickering, ON , ' LIV 6K7 � � . !, Dear Mr. Tuylor: , , , ' The great melropolitan regions across the wor1J are the principal engines of the economy, cullure, nnd sociely. This is as We in Canada, one of ihe mosl utbanized countries, as it is elsewherc. The Toronto Rcgion generates a quarlcr of Canada's gross domeslic product; its populntion is n fi11h of Cannda's total. That population hns swellcd by people coming to the Region Crom across Cnnada anJ around thc world. Thc happy result is o vibrant and complicaled Region wilh complex und variecl nc�xis.1'hcsc asscls of a Jynamic population call oul for sophisticated and spccific govemment sensilive lo such local conditions. But the current conslilutional swcture in Canada gives cities little control over their destinics, and limitccf nuthority to responJ to 1hc ncccis of thcir citizcns. Such littic uuthoriry as thcy enjoy can easily be under-cut or over-cullai by provincial and federal govemments. In lhe Toronto Region, this mcans wc havc limiled capacily lo responJ lo lhe complex hcalth nceds of a Jivcrsc urban population, or to swcturc cJucation to rcicasc its rich potentiul, or to trnnsport it cf(icicnqy, or gcncrally to dccidc how to allocate the vast resources thut arc gencmted in tnx paid ro thc provincial und fedcral govcmmcnls. This resulting mismalch betwecn necds and resourccs af(ccts everyone who lives or works in, or visits, thc Rcgian, ll nlso limits our nbility lo (lourish, which in lum hurts those olher parts af Canada who depend on our success for Um�sfers af aboul 6 billion curtently. Enclosed is n proposnl draIled over the last year by hundrcds of citizens of lhe Region, which I am sending to you for yrour considerntion and endorscment. It is called Townnis a Grealer Toronto Chazter, end is Ute resull of a citizen-initialeJ process lo find a way for the Toronto Region to gain greater control over its destiny. To date the Charter has been AVANA Capilal Corporation -170 Bloor Slreel West, Sulle 804, Toronto, Ontarlo M551T9 Te� :(416�944•1101 Fax: (416194��891 S� ' ��ria andorsed by business people, community eclivials, furtnar politicians,joumalists and academics, and most recenUy waa enthusiestically received by the Committee of Greater Toronto Area Mayon and Regionel Chairs. Our intcnt is to cncouragc thc pcoplo of the Region to consider how we might be betler equipped to takc advuntage of lhc opporlwities, and address the challenges, thnt face us. I would encourage }rou to: • review The Charter, sign il and retum your signature on the tear-off fartn lo this ofEicc; • ci�ulale Thc Charter to your colleagucs, ncighbours, your poard of Direclors, and many olhers Cor ihcir consideration nnd potentinl endorsemenl; • if you have access to the inicmet, visit http://www.torontocharler.com/ regulariy to be kept inComted of activities relevant to The Charler. • (f you can, host a mecting of your community or with your colleagues to Jiscuss The Charter. Wa wouid bc happy to provide you wilh n resource person who cnn respond to questions nbout Iha process we'vc Coliowcd in devcloping it, and the intent of the document. Finalty, if you would likc lo reccivc additional copics of Towarcis a Grcalcr Toronlo Charler, please conlucl: Seruh Glalhill, Avann Cnpital Corporation (41G) 944-I 101. I upprcciata yrour inlerest in and support for lhis initialivc, Sinccroly— � �� Alun Broadbcnt Chairmnn anJ CHO Avanu Capital Corporation � .��b.�'il�1i� �IV Ni� �1ViINl� �1� Ni� �i� Nh. �IV N� iiVii�lf� ,; �owards a reater oronto (�harter A DECLARATION FOR THE GREATER TORONTO REGION� signed in support ofgreaterlocalautonomy to eruure tke �bT�rn's continue�lprosperity aru! effecrivegovernance. DEMOCRATI�C PRINCIPLES �n ■ democnUc eociep, tde people cmate goremmenls lo �aurc • pacelul and ordercd tuturc, and lo provlde oppodun(tla for dlluas ro Ilouri�6 and prroper so tAey m�y ralu 6mUia, nuHure chlldrea, aourish mind and body, and g�ow dd in condipom of dlgnlry, tolerma, and lurmoor. 71vo fundamentel principles of �kmocracy ensure thal govemmenu rtmain effaGve anct rapunsive. The firsl principle is subsidiarity.'Ihis means that to ihe grwiat exten� possible, all gavemmenul nclivity (such ss policy dcvelopmenl, program and urvice managemem, anJ Jelivery) stwuld bc aercisal by �he aJminisvaian �hat is closest lo Ihe people. The seconJ principle is fixal eccounlability. Thu means that the governmenl �hat �pends taxpayers' money on good� and urvices is the same gavemmenl Ihat ttts �he policies and ihen raiw �he rcquisite money, u directly u possible. Subsidiarity and fival accounubility enable citium to Irold Iheir eluted rcprcsenlalives accounuble. Gavanments must 6e able to menage bo�h sidu of Ihe lalger in area+ for which �hey are charged with primary responsibility: rcvenue and eapenditurc. ln caua in which it is essentiel lo ensurc a minimum atendard ecross e province or across the rnunuy, �he principla of subsidiarity or fiuel accountability may 6e set eside in fawur of policiu, dclivery rupomibili6a, and fiscal iesowca U�at have been cooperatively developed. THE GREATER TORONTO REGION �he areater Toronto Region exists as en inter- dependem, integrated complu of communitia each with i1s own social, econom(c, cultural, and civic UadiUons. Begun ss a setdemeni of Ihe first people of the mminen6 succasive weves of immigrenu have ruulted in Ihe dreaut Toromo Rcgion becoming a dynamic urban region of susuining divcrsi�y. Acros� lAe Grcaler Toronto Region t6ere � a ric6naa of economle actirity, roce end el6nicily, �vltunl rlWity, civic engagemeot, and genemslly o� �plril: thcrc b mare t6at unitw cltizene than dlrida t1Km. F�om Ihe g�eat exerpment of Nlagan �ad �lon` lhe �ncient arc af !bc Oat Ridgea Moralne, to lhe northcro shorc of Lake OnUrio'a dap w�ten, the citluro of Ihe Greater Toroalo Regbo �re engaged In a rlbmnt alruggle lo bulld a trol communily. The Greater Toronto Region accoun�s for over �wemy percent of Canada's Gros� Domutic Pmduct end an even higher proporlion of iu economic grow�h. At the beginning of the twentyfint cenlury the Region haz grown u� lerge and complex that its presenl form of government, which wes devised when the scale, inUicuy, and xonomie importence of Cenadien urban « gfons of today. were unimaginable, needs to bc empoweRd to provide �he Iwd•ahip, planning, and urviu delivery �he Region requirts. THH OREAiER TOROIfIO CHARIFR URBAN M�TROPOLITAN REGIONS IN CANAVA �unaJa's urban rcgions, particululy the meuapoiiun ereas, ere of critical imporlanct lu fu conlinued prosperity anJ viielity and, as such, ere obliged lo continue to share their weal�h, innovation, and other assc�s. with the rest of Canada. 7hese rcgions nad govemance arrangements that allow them �o cominue to share iheir prosperity and vitelity wilh �he rat of the country, us well es compe�e with oiher urban ereas around the worlJ, for the benefit of ail Canazlians. WHAT THE GREATER TORONTO REGION N6EDS �he Grea�er Toronto Region must mat Ihe needs of a Jiverse, ezpanding population. EluwheR around the world, urban vi�aliiy has becn pRUrved end enhanced Ixcause urban ragions have ihe degree of self- gu�cmmem neeJeJ to ensure tlut they Oourish wi�hin iheir counuics. Sel(-govemment helps ensuR ilwt local prioriiies ere rcspecteJ wiihin strategia iFwt unleash dx colleciive muu of u rcgion. Local �dmfnlitnqom allhln Wc Crc�ler Toronlo Region mwt be empowered to �cl In Ihe Inlerot+of t6e welfarc of lhe Re`ion u� xhole and dnl with the economlc and eoeid need� of Ihb direne md eip�nding populaqon. The Crcater Toronlo Re`lon need+: e) economic development suategiu �ha� su�on and enhance Ihe combineJ strcngihs of ihe Region; b) u pu6lic eJucatiun syslem ih�l is sufficiently cquippeJ to eJuca�e anJ uain Canada'� mos� diverse urban centrc; c) a transportation infrastrucwre ihat is oble io mave e populetion spreaJ throughout the Region to end from wark and sociul and culmrel punu(u; d) environmemal policics nnJ praciicu that deal with thc complesitiu of urban indusuial development and use, pmicet thou natuml features of significance lo �he Region (such av the Oak RiJgu Moraine), and rcilect global imperedves; c) a hwl�h syskm (including hospilals) ihat is able lo cope with and respond to Ihe demands placul upon ir, � Ihe capncity lo meel �he saial neeJs of ils population. THL GRSAT�R TORONTO CHART[R �he 6ttaler ToroNO Cluner hu ban in developmem eince tarly 1999, and has had Input from citiuns including acedemic�, juurnalisu, urban pl�nnen uid Ihinken, businesx pwple tnd profu:ionds, community wmkers, labour unfons, former municipal �uR end poli6ciens. 7tie early comiderauons of an initial working group were rtported in a uria of aniclu in ihe popular press in )une and July of 1999, and morc formally collatal in Iht book 7bronlo: ConiWaing Self•Corsrnmmt (dinger Press, 2000), which ie available from local bookstores across �he Grwter Toronto Region, on�line from 61tpd/�x.torontaharter.com, or by calling (•BW�467�9937. In Ihe developmem ot the Grea�er Toronto Chaner, various changes lo the cumnt govemance s Wcturc have been consideml io enhance Ihe Region's eutonomy. The option of a Cherter was selceted for iu ease of implementotion (it would rcquirc some changes lo provinciel Iegisle�ion), ils symhulic �alue as an iJemifier of the uniquenus metn politan ciuu bring lo a nation state, enJ iu proven effectiveness a�ound ihe wurlJ in enhancing local capxiGes lo govem. T6e inlent of lhae discuulone i� lo provide currenUy elected oRleiob and municipal etaRa wilh cil�en-genervted Input conttming lhe gorernance neede ot the R�glon. In ruponu to fealback we've rxeivaf since its Initiel release in early 2000, the Grcaier Toromo Charter has been amanded to improve iu clarity end to re(lecl more accurately �he autonomy ncafs of �hc Region. Far Ihc mosl currcnt version, and for upcin�es on activity conceming the Cherter, please fill om the rncloud tear�off farm and rcwm i� �o the aJJrcss proviJul. Alw, we suggest you rcgulurly check our website, hppJ/x�.tomotochadeeeom. Immediak acqon, In the fartn of 77�e Crcater Toronto Charlery � naasary lo en+urc t6e vlahpity ot Ihe Grcatcr Taronto Reglon. TIIH OREATFA TOROMO CHARIER UReANIZATION �t ihe dme of ConfedenUon In 1867 (ConeUlutlon Act, 1867), tk populetfon af Ceneds wu Just under tour mfllion. 71m ConstiWtion Act ellocaus Io Iht provinces the righl lo determine the aWclurc and powen of municipal instiiution�. In the world of the mid•nine�un�h century, when cilia werc amall and rcla�ively uncomplica�ed, this made sense. In Ihe twentyfim century, local ulminisuations within ihe Grea�er Toronto Regfon, es indeed acrou the counuy, con�inue to be bounJ by consti�utional rules ihat werc Juignai tor e primarily agrarian aocfe�y. The h�tory of lAe twenlleth century wu one of urbaaliaqoo, when cttla bec�me the economle, wcial, and cullural eagina of sakly. Gnada � ooe of the most urbaaized countrin (n the wocid 71ie Greater Tomnlo Region is Nonh America's fif�h largut mnrvpoli�an rtgion (after Muico City, New York, Los Angela, und Chicago), wi�h e popula�ion app�oaching five million, surpassing �he populaiian of ihe entirc country at Ihe time ot Confederation. Thc Grcamr Torunto Regfon is a meJor cultural, commerciol, finnncial, educntiona„ enJ Imcllceivai cenue of the westem wodJ. lA9 DtVOLUTION OF R[6PONS101LIT1[S, POW�Rs AND AUTHORITY �n recent years xrou Canada �here hu been a conaidenble devolu6on of power from the naQond w ihe provincial Ieveis of govemmenl. Some provincial governments, In kaping wilh �he principle of sub�idiarity, have devolved to municipaliiiu comple�e responsibililies for certain servicea, including the provision and maintenance ot inGazwcture. While «rtain responsibilitiea fw implementetion end wvia delivery werc devolved, �he setGng of policy was not. ln fac�, �hero haz been an acwal dareave in the ehare of spending allo�tnl to municipalitles. Tht� dexdutbn of roporolbiliry, wl.6ou1 lhe rcqubik aulhorltr to xt poilcy �nd eecure naourca lo fund, rua� In opproitbo lo the principla of eub�Wiarity and f6ca1 attountabfllty. CanadPs largat urban re`lon b unable ro aea6e I� full gorernrnce reapomibiittks As in Ihc prive�e seclor, where decenuelizing many powen and rcsponsibilities to smaller uniu has become a useful swclural approach to maximizing productivity, eRciency, and service quality, U�e pu6lic sector must consiJer the op�rortunities �hat'•righl•sizing" presenis. """"""""""""""""' _"' ^""""""""""_"""" _' Mail to: Avana Capilel CorporeHon 170 Bloor Street Wesl, Suite 804 Toronlo, CANADA M5S IT9 Tr18 GRFATFA TOROMO CIURIFA HIdTORY OR CHANG� �ht history of Gnrla b one of conatitu�iond and judsdicdonal change. T�rough vadou� imperlel iteraiions by Frcnch et�� Brilish govemmenu, the BdUsh North Amedce Act, the Suwte of WesUninater, and the Patrietion of Ihe Canstilulfon, lhe allocetion of government responsibilitles has been frcquemly rcdaigneJ. Chengu heve occurred in rcsponse to a changing �ahnaloglcal envlronmeN, Ihe nads end prcssurcs of Canada's rcglons, iu Iwo primary linguistic communitia, ils Firsl Nalions, and the daire for g¢nter autonomy 6y provincial govemments, especially Quebec. As e rcsult, Ceneda Is one of Ihe most decentralfzed federetions in Ihe worlJ. TM rcadinus of Canadiens lo eccept chsnge is a kamro of govemena in Canada. CALL TO ACTION �n Juri�ictfon� wund �he world, wnufwiiond, �Jmini�lrative, enJ fin�ncing ertmgemenu incrcuingly rcllxt Ihe recognidon o( ihe anud rule end capxiry of meuopolilan rcgloni ihet, luving xhieval a requisite level of rcsourca and experience, cen naw manage Ihcir own dudnies. Senfor govemmenu in Canada must devolvc to urban reglone e much broader abili�y lo tae a access nldiuonal rcvenue wurcu, m �hese rcgione can effxiively exercise their responsibilily to idenlify needs, supply servicu, pay ihe billa, end provide accusible, Jemocretic govemmem. Such devoluGon will enable and enrnurage Ceneda'a aonomic, saial, and cul�ural engines Io kap pace wllh Itwu other urban JudsdicUons �hat ue their maln compelitors in �he urbaniud worlJ of Ihe �wemy-fint century. For more in(onnation nbout The Groater Toronlo Charter and Toronlo: Considering Stlf•governmtnf, contact: Avana Capitel Corporation,170 Bloor Street Wesl, Suite 804, 7bronto, CANADA MSS 1T9 Phone: 416.944.I 101 • Fux: 416.944.8915 • Email: mwrowe�bmts.com www,loronlocharler.com -------------------------------------------------------------------- 7iunrds u �renter ��mnto �hnrter N�me: _ AddRm CI17: _ AlNUlleo lyappl �iraDli) e�.�«, eaw coa�: PAon�� Fut Fau16 ❑ Pkus krep me up ro date on the Crrara lbronw Charer ❑}ei, I wouldlike to rlan the GnaterTaronto Chmta: inrv.m— caammW Tt�e OararFn Toaorrro CHnmEa � �1�e reater oronto C�harter ARTICLE ONE The Grcaur ToroNO Region fortn an ordu of gavunment ihal i� a ful I partntt of tht Federal end Pmvinciel Govanmenu of Canada ARTICLE 7W0 7tic Greater Toronto Region, and its municipaliliu, Ix empowered lo govem and exerciu raponsibilily over a broad renge of issua, Including; c671d and famlly rervircr; culmml Gutimrioru; eronamic developmmt and marketing; rducarion; rnvimnmental pmrrclion: hralrh ran; hawing; immigront and nfugee rrrrlemmr; land•utrpfanning; lawenfarcemmrandemrrgrncyrervicu; rccnarion; mrnue gtnaratio4 fa�a�ian and arnumm�; trtwponattan; :rwagr rnalmrnr; raial aautancr; warre and mtural rc.rourcr managemenr; and x�arrr rupply and qualiry nwnagement, wlih ihe exception of those matters az arc mulually agrcnl upon wilh olher levels of govemment thal ere Ixst assign�d lo anolher level. ARTICLE THR6E Thc Orcaier Toron�o Region havc thc fival au�hority to raisc rcvenuu nnd ellocalc eapenJiwres with respal to those ruponsibilitiu ouQincJ in Artide 11vo. ARTICLE FOUR The Grcaler Toronto Region be govemed by accessible, demaratic govemmenb, crcntal by their ciduns and eccountable to Ihem for Ihe enucise o( the governmenu' full du4u and ruponsibilidu. ARTICLE FIVE The Grwler Toronto Reglon cont(nue to fulfill iu ob�igation to share i1s wenl�h, Innovatian, and ather azuts with the resl of Canadaa, Ilwugh appropriale mxhanisms Jevclopcd in concert wi�h olher levele o(gavemment. 11i -� i 2� EXCERPT FROM THE MINUTES OF TE� GTA MAYORS AND REGIONAL CHAIRS COMMITTEE HELD ON FRIDAY, MAY 12, 2000 TORONTO REGION CIVIC CHARTER Mayor Peter Robertson welcomed from the Chair, the speakers on the Toronto Region Civic Charter Alen Broadbent expleined that he has been interested in cities and their issues Cor meny years. He took this opportunity to pass out copies of their publication. He indicated his concem about the leck of power that urban regions have and posed the following questions: L Do conditions exist in the Grealer Toronto Area for increased autonomy. If yes, what forms would we take. There are 25 people in the group. It is a movement of citizens, there are no sitting politicians. Ciry Charter is mea�u to capture essential ideas and increased autonomythroughoutthe regions. This committee should be the power & have the means. Transporlation, water, sewage, housing, social services, educalion and health issues would mean that energy is being spent making your own positive decisions. Start with public discussions. T6is Charter is a work in progress. and these words are only a start. If this is en approach you can suppon, I would su�est help start discussions in your community among council and the public. I would be heppy to attend. Rewrite the document to make it more clear and precise. Put it on the public ngenda. If wc talk and agrce we can make it a reality. At this point, Don Stevenson made a shon presentation. He is ttie co-author of the Toronto Chanec Hc states Ihat this is a neutrnl paper on the rcfcrendum issue in Toronlo. It is an example of a problcm for this city region emerging. New age city regions will be vital motors of thc world economy. Powers will 6e moving up to glabal institutions and away Bom national govcmment. The old structure of federal & provincial powers will not be adequate. The key challenge is how we manage urban & city. We havc �o movc away from looking at local govemment as being lower levels and start looking to them as equal. Mayor Peter Robertson advised that hc is a rcpresenlative on the GTMA, and stated his fnistralion with the reluctance of the two other levels of govemment to help with funding. We have received $ I50,000 from other levels. Where do your funds & revenue come from. Nowhere is it exclusive from the property tax base. Ontario has an archnic model of funding. Your group hns surFaced at the right time to be a"civic minded group" to speak and give legitimacy. In Caneda no farum exists where the 3 levels of government meet regularly. We must have monthly meetings with provincial & federal levels to deal with traff c, homelessness, or whatever the issue is. We must create a new forum. I em delighted that you have surfaced and ask that you consider calling it "The Greater Taronto" and not "The Toronto" Charter. 1 think tho focus should be on a regional charter. Mayor Ann Mulvale indicated that she will circulate the book to residents in her community. She will also send it to stafPand cngage in community discussions. The review is not ebout power or control, but about thc eflectiveness of government within Caneda and it's ability to realize our potential as a nation. Globally, many netions are recognizing ciry regions. Mayor Gordon Krantz expresseJ his conccrn thnt this may evolvc in "banana republics" and his hope that this would not I�appen. Mary Rowe indiceted thut additional copies of tlie Book of Churtcr era evailabla in bulk by contacting Avane Cepitnl Corporation at (416) 944-I 101,