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NDPs reiterate promise to repeal Toronto’s city council reduction

A map of different sections with numbers on them. The map is outlined in blue.
Toronto's wards map prior to the 2018 municipal election. It was reduced to 25 by Premier Doug Ford and upheld in a Supreme Court decision. Photo courtesy of the City of Toronto.
Daniel Centeno - CJRU - Toronto • ON | 18-05-2022
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The Ontario NDPs reiterated a previous election promise to Toronto residents this week to restore its city council seats to 47.  

NDP leader Andrea Horwath said her party will restore the previous numbers and jurisdictions of Toronto’s city council seats prior to 2018. 

Horwath said if her party forms the next Ontario government following the June 2 election, they will repeal Bill 5, known as the Better Local Government Act of 2018. This reduced Toronto’s city council seats from 47 to 25 weeks prior to a municipal election. 

The election promise is part of the party’s "Stronger Democracy" selection in its Toronto platform. 

It states that by repealing Bill 5, the NDPs write that it will reverse one of Premier Doug Ford’s "first acts in office that overruled municipal interests." 

 The Better Local Government Act led to several wards combining and a greater number of candidates within the new boundaries. It was highly unpopular with both candidates and residents. Candidates were forced to appeal to new consistuents, and residents had little time to learn about the platforms and those running.    

The bill was initially struck down in an Ontario court, who said it was unconstitutional. However, Ford used the Notwithstanding clause to make the bill into law. 

The Notwithstanding clause is section 33 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms that allows Parliament to override section 2, which are fundamental freedoms, and sections 7 to 15, which are legal rights. 

Ford’s use of the clause went to the Supreme Court for a final decision in October 2021. The court ruled that his use of the clause was legal.  

In 2018, Ford said the cuts were meant to limit spending and provide a more efficient voting system in city council. 

Ushering in Bill 5 was one of three times Ford used the Notwithstanding Clause. His latest use of it was to increase election spending and ads in the leadup to the June election. 

In the downtown core, Ward 27 Toronto Centre-Rosedale became the current Ward 13, now known as Toronto Centre. 

Former city councillor Kristyn Wong-Tam won the 2018 election when the wards were changed. 

Wong-Tam resigned their city council seat in April to become Toronto Centre's provincial NDP candidate in April. They are replacing incumbent MPP Suze Morrison.

CJRU contacted Wong-Tam to comment on Bill 5 and hopes for repeal. No response was given at this time. Toronto Mayor John Tory’s office were also contacted for comment. CJRU is awaiting a response.  

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