The Canadian National Newspaper: Toronto Votes 2006, Glenn Coles

Toronto Votes 2006: Candidate Visions of Toronto

GLENN COLES: Toronto Mayoral candidate

Vision for a new and rejuvenated Toronto City Council

The new City Council must operate as a team, working towards common objectives. While many projects require analysis and detail, it is essential to have high-level goals. If all steps are towards a goal, it is eventually reached.

To introduce the objectives of the new city council, we will kick=off with the 'People Feel Good' campaign. The initials PFG also stand for Prosperity, Foundation, and Growth. These three objectives will be paramount in determining the efforts of the city over the next four years.

Prosperity

The prime goal of city council will be to aim towards a city where everyone is prosperous. This does not mean that everyone would be provided with material wealth, but instead operates on the belief that every individual deserves the opportunity to lead an active, healthy, contributive lifestyle. Of course it is also up to each individual to move towards prosperity. To assist in this shift, the city requires a network of support, counseling and education. The intent of council would be to remove barriers to prosperity, and initiate programs that stimulate prosperity. By identifying policies and practices that do not fit the vision, alterations can be made.

Stabilize the Foundation

The next key task of city council is to stabilize the foundation. We desire a healthy functional city, and would identify all elements that do not meet these parameters. For example, the underground infrastructure of the city forms the base of our foundation. More than half of the sewage pipes are more than fifty years old, and upgrades must take place. In addition, environmental issues must be identified and dealt with directly. We want a clean city with clean air and clean water. Financial stability within city budgets is essential, and each department and function requires stabilization. All city operational activities need to be analyzed and enhanced.

Initiate Growth

There are many elements we desire for our future city, and it is up to this council to alter the path of Toronto. We begin by setting vision requirements at a high level. Then analysis is undertaken to determine current status and potential alternatives. When determining choices, all projects must add to the creation of an integrated vision. Using standard project management techniques, each initiative would undergo analysis, planning, action and follow-up. Each project would have expected outcomes, and each outcome would guide us towards the city we desire.

Contact information to support the Glenn Coles Campaign:
9251 Yonge Street
Suite 8-924
Richmond Hill, Ontario, Canada L4C 9T3
e-mail: glenn@glenn4mayor.com

Courtesy of the Glenn Coles campaign

Toronto Mayoral Candidate Fights for Clean Air

The Ontario government is 50% partner in a plan to build a gas-burning power plant near the downtown core of Toronto. Though this plant will increase smog levels and chlorinate the water, it will be very very profitable. While startup costs of $700 million dollars will be returned by selling electricity to millions of Torontonians, the real profit comes from selling gas. As the other partner in the building of this plant, TransCanada Inc. is creating a long-term high-volume natural gas customer.

Burning natural gas emits nitrous oxide, which turns into smog. Chlorine, another by-product of the process, will be dumped into Lake Ontario. Toronto does not need the Portands Energy Centre, and the world does not need another fossil fuel burning facility.

Most of us are beginning to understand that the health of our planet is in danger, and we must change our ways to save ourselves. We continually read about greenhouse gases and global warming, and yet we still allow new burning facilities to be built.

The simple alternative is windmills. They cost less to build, use no fuel, and create no pollution. There are already nine wind turbine farms under construction in Ontario, all funded by private companies. Obviously the technology works. So why would we even consider building a gas-burning plant?

The secret lies in how the plans were made. At the highest levels, these plans involved Ontario Power Generation and the Ontario government, multi-billion dollar gas-seller TransCanada Inc., and billion dollar investors Royal Bank and the Canada Pension Plan. When the board of OPG voted to partner in this project, members included Chairman Jake Epp, who had just moved over from his role as Senior VP of TransCanada, and George Lewis, Chairman of RBC Asset Management. The prime objective of this project is to make lots and lots of money.

Now I realize that these are some heavy players. They may have made the decision in good faith, using standard financial tools to evaluate the project, and using the best technology to reduce the levels of emissions. But ultimately, this is the wrong decision made for the wrong reasons.

There are 6 million people in the Greater Toronto Area. How many have to say NO to make this stop?