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The city of Toronto is surrounded by four regions; Durham, Halton, Peel and York. In 1967, the Province of Ontario reorganized municipal structure, and the borders of Toronto were fixed. Any growth beyond these borders happened in a separate region. Subsequent expansion of the Greater Toronto Region has resulted in a population of 6 million people. The five regions are interconnected, and the success of any one region is dependent upon the success of all regions.
While separation into regions has resulted in many benefits, it is critical to take a holistic approach to future progress. If each region only looks out for its own interests, decisions could be different. Like any group effort, it is necessary to make choices that are both good for yourself and good for the team. If we want to live in a thriving clean world-class city, we must work together.
An example of weakness in the current regional situation is the existence of seven different transit organizations. Each has different solutions, and each requires operational funding. Administrative roles are duplicated, capital budgets are separate, and a complete vision of an efficient inter-regional transit system has never been developed. Passengers crossing regions may pay two or three fares to reach their destination. Payment methods, prices and ticket management are different for each region. How could we not benefit by amalgamation?
The fear, of course, is that each region would be neglected. By pooling finances and working towards a common vision, some regions may see less development than if operating solo. By deferring control and agreeing to form inter-regional consensus, the risk is that any particular region may be less satisfied. However, the potential outcome is a highly effective multi-dimensional transit system that meets the service requirements of all. In the business world, a better merger could not be imagined.
Another key issue is the distribution of money between the regions. Outer regions have an extreme advantage over the city core. There is more space for development, the infrastructure is more modern, the population is often more affluent, and operational costs are less. In contrast, the core city of Toronto must consider increases in population density, replacement and maintenance of an aging infrastructure, and servicing a daily transient population that pays property taxes outside of the city.
The success of the Greater Toronto Region is dependent upon the success of the city core. Despite cries of unfairness, it is critical for Toronto to have greater financial assistance than the regions. Toronto is home to a disproportionate level of people in poverty. Toronto requires a much higher investment in foundation and structure, including roads, bridges, sewers and water mains. Toronto has a greater need for transit efficiency and capacity, since all of the regions feed into the city.
Once amalgamated, the Greater Toronto Region will represent over 6 million people, about half of the Ontario population, and just under 20% of Canadian population. We pay billions of dollars into the Provincial and Federal coffers, and expect some back. We insist on control over our environment, and will not let the Province build a gas-burning power plant within our borders. We are the most culturally diverse city in the world, and celebrate our success by showing the world how a great city can operate.
The key to success of regional amalgamation is the application of structured empowerment. As we have seen in the City of Toronto, there are some services better managed from a central location, and other responsibilities that are better handled by the neighborhoods. Instead of worrying about control or power, it is necessary to truly search for the solution that works best.
In order to achieve success of the region as a whole, the leaders of each community and municipality must agree to work together. Of course each will be responsible for the success of their own area, but each is also expected to contribute to the betterment of the whole. Through intelligent and innovative planning, the team can work together and create a city that shines for the world to see. The accomplishment of groupthink is common in many areas, and it is time to bring this objective to the political arena.
© Copyright 2006 Glenn Stewart Coles
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