Scarborough councillors insulted by TTC slight
Failure to show up at meeting irks local councillors
The Toronto Transit Commission insulted Scarborough by failing to make a presentation to community council Tuesday.
That was the feeling of several Scarborough councillors after they were told the TTC would not be making the scheduled presentation to update councillors on transit plans for Scarborough.
"I find that really insulting," said Ward 38 (Scarborough Centre) Councillor Glenn De Baeremaeker.
He had requested the presentation at the April community council meeting. One issue he wanted to be updated on is the expansion of the RT line.
TTC staff had made a presentation to members of Scarborough Community Council at a lunch meeting on April 29, which was the reason cited for not attending the May 6 meeting.
"They felt that presentation effectively honoured their commitment to us," said Ward 40 (Scarborough-Agincourt) Councillor Norm Kelly.
De Baeremaeker, who had a previous commitment April 29 and missed much of the TTC presentation, disagreed with that reasoning. He felt another presentation was needed at community council as it is a public forum open to residents.
"That is not full and fulsome debate," he said. "It does not do service to the 650,000 people living here."
Ward 36 (Scarborough Southwest) Councillor Brian Ashton agreed TTC staff should have kept their commitment to make a public presentation.
"It's almost offensive to the public in Scarborough. It's not about briefing Scarborough Community Council, it's about briefing the people of Scarborough," he said.
Ashton went on to say he felt the TTC had a "downtown" attitude and he wondered whether there was something in the transit plan they didn't want to discuss in Scarborough.
"The TTC should be here...It makes me wonder whether there's something that might not satisfy residents in the plan," he said.
Ward 37 (Scarborough Centre) Councillor Michael Thompson was also upset the TTC decided not to make a presentation at community council.
"We continue to be disrespected as a community of 650,000," he said. "I don't think it's intended on the part of the TTC staff, but we feel affronted by the decision made by staff not to be here."
He reiterated the point of other councillors that the presentation needs to be made in an open forum so residents can participate.
"We really need to have this discussion in a more open forum," he said.
Councillors passed a motion requesting TTC staff appear at a public meeting on the evening of the next Scaborough Community Council meeting, June 10.
The idea of having the presentation during the regular day meeting at a set time was first discussed, but in the interest of engaging the public Ward 35 (Scarborough Southwest) Adrian Heaps suggested it be held in the evening.
"If he wants to have a public meeting, have it in the evening so the public can attend," he said.
If the meeting goes ahead, there will be public notice put out.
