Josh Matlow writes a candid weekly column, appearing Mondays, about City Hall in the Toronto Star called City Hall Diary.
Fresh from winning my first election to city council last year, I was approached by the Toronto Star to write a weekly column about city hall from a newly elected councillor’s perspective and to offer readers a unique and candid look into local politics.
Read more: City Hall Diary: A final plea to end partisan bickering, unify city
Josh Matlow City Hall Diary
The prospect of cuts to virtually every city service mobilized hundreds of concerned Toronto residents last week to make deputations to eight council committees considering the mayor’s core service review.
Read more: City Hall Diary: Please, don’t try to scare us into submission
Josh Matlow City Hall Diary
Most city councillors, aside from those in the mayor’s inner circle, are far too often sidelined when it comes to many of the big decisions at city hall.
For example, last week city manager Joe Pennachetti, budget chair Mike Del Grande and a consulting firm recently hired by the city to go on a hunt for wasteful “gravy” known as the “core service review” held a media briefing.
As the city hall press gallery assembled at a table to learn details about potential cuts from the city’s public works budget, a handful of councillors not aligned with Mr. Ford sat at the back of the room.
Read more: City Hall Diary: Councillors need to stop relishing revenge
Josh Matlow City Hall Diary
What you're about to read might surprise you — Toronto's city councillors are much less divided than you might think.
Council meeting agendas typically contain hundreds of items each month; yet only a small number of them are covered by the media for the public’s consumption. And while most reporters usually focus on the few contentious issues that divide council along political and ideological lines, the vast majority of items are passed with little or no debate.
Recent headlines coming out of city hall have been about everything from affordable housing and bikes lanes, to the conflict in the Middle East. But perhaps the thorniest issues individual councillors must contend with are the local, and seemingly less sensational topics like parking and traffic.
Read more: City Hall Diary: Council less divided than you might think
Josh Matlow City Hall Diary
Last week, I, along with many of my council colleagues (of every partisan orientation), attended a ceremony to watch the Rainbow flag being raised at city hall. Although it was a hot and sunny afternoon, this celebration of equality was soon overshadowed by the storm clouds of political controversy.
Read more: City Hall Diary: Elected? Get used to representing everyone
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