Ont. legislature sits for midnight debate of Toronto city council cutting bill

FILE: The Legislature has resumed sitting to debate the Efficient Local Government Act. While the Official Opposition tries to delay this important legislation, our government remains focused on giving the people of Toronto a more efficient City Council. #onpoli #topoli (Photo: @fordnation/Twitter)

TORONTO — The Ontario government cited the need for urgent action in recalling the legislature for a rare midnight sitting meant to speed up the passing of a controversial bill to cut Toronto’s city council nearly in half.

Municipal Affairs Minister Steve Clark said the bill, which would reduce council to 25 seats from 47, is necessary to restore order to Toronto city hall and must pass before the fall municipal election.

“With the date of the municipal election rapidly approaching, we need to take action,” he said. “Oct. 22 is just a few weeks away. Action to provide greater certainty for everyone and action to ensure that the election proceeds.”

An earlier version of the bill was struck down as unconstitutional by an Ontario Superior Court judge last Monday, prompting Premier Doug Ford to invoke a rare provision known as the notwithstanding clause to override the ruling and reintroduce the legislation.

Ford’s use of the provision has been denounced by the opposition parties, prominent Canadian politicians and hundreds of legal professionals.

“Just because the tool exists doesn’t mean you have to use it,” NDP Leader Andrea Horwath said outside the legislature.

“I think that this is the wrong thing to do, I think the vast majority of people believe that it’s the wrong thing to do, and I think the motivation behind it is wrongheaded and I think people need to be worried.”

Green Party Leader Mike Schreiner said the premier’s actions have put the municipal election in jeopardy.

“This premier has manufactured a crisis by meddling with elections and trampling on local democracy,” he said in a statement.

“The Conservatives are acting with impunity, trying to suspend people’s Charter rights under the cover of darkness while Ontarians are asleep. “

The Tory government maintains the move is necessary and within its rights, and claims the judge made an error in his ruling.

“This is something that we have a constitutional right to do and we believe it’s important for elected representatives to be making the law,” Deputy Premier Christine Elliott said outside the legislature.

The bill was debated at an uncommon weekend sitting at Queen’s Park on Saturday, and the lieutenant-governor granted the government’s request to reconvene the house at 12:01 a.m. Monday to continue the debate.

The government finds itself crunched for time at the legislature with the International Plowing Match in Chatham-Kent set for Tuesday and each year Queen’s Park closes for a day so all politicians can attend.

Earlier this week, City of Toronto clerk Ulli Watkiss said that with each passing day it becomes “virtually impossible” to ensure the city provides its residents and candidates with a fair election.