Location: God's own country
Posted on: 18-08-10 22:01:01
http://www.thestar.com/article/849313--ford-goes-on-the-defensive#article
The controversy began Tuesday night at a mayoral debate televised by CP24. A Tamil member of the audience asked the candidates to comment on the role of refugees in the city.
Ford responded: “We can’t even deal with the 2.5 million people in the city. I think it’s more important that we take care of the people now before we start bringing in more.”
and
At a 1 p.m. news conference, Ford accused his opponents of spinning his comments out of context.
“Until we get our fiscal house in order (we can’t) welcome more people. Right now we’re not in any shape to welcome people,” Ford said outside city hall, adding later: “There’s 60,000 people trying to get into affordable housing. How about all these new people coming in? They’re going to be asking to get into affordable housing, too. So the waiting list now, could it go up to 200,000 people if we bring in a million people?”
and
In reality, city documents predict Toronto’s population will grow by only 452,000 over the next 10 years. Regionally, the GTA is expected to balloon by 2,194,000 by 2021.
“Anyone who runs for public office needs to do research before they blurt out comments on issues,” said Usha George, the dean of community services at Ryerson University.
We all know that Toronto is occupied by mostly native born people or non Visible minority. Seeing the comments on The Star , I find that most people welcome Rob Ford's comments which is quite disturbing.
Some readers are suggesting that immigrants settle elsewhere as Canada is a big land. To them, this is my suggestion. You had it good in Toronto, having plum jobs with bloted salary. To relive new immigrants of conngestion, It is high time that the well settled and paid people in Toronto leave to the north while leaving the downtown for new immigrants to settle in. These new immigrants have left a secure future/ job and are coming to Canada. It is high time that the well settled in Toronto leave the city so that Rob's demands will be met.
I had high opinion of Rob Ford, but he is just a common clever politician.
What do other CD's think?
Peace
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I am a Gents and not a Ladies.
Hi TK
Long time no see. Welcome back. 
I think Smitherman and Rossi are trying to make a mountain out of molehill. Agree that Ford has his own share of baggage, but I do agree with his fiscal policies, at least for now. Also, he is honest about speaking his mind rather than Smitherman who is slippery than a snake.
Does GTA municipalities have the money and time to spend over infrastructure to accommodate the influx of new immigrants? - Hospitals, doctors and nurses, highways and roads, job opportunities etc etc? Congestion and gridlock are a major issues and they are bound to worsen unless somebody came with some quick and practical solution.
Toronto Star itself is a left leaning paper, but the Toronto residents have to pick the worse among the worst and hence one may find more support for Ford among the readers. However, one news channel mentioned that more than half of the voters are still undecided.
Quote:
Originally posted by meghal
Agree that Ford has his own share of baggage, but I do agree with his fiscal policies, at least for now. Also, he is honest about speaking his mind rather than Smitherman who is slippery than a snake.
Ya - baggage that he was carrying it in his back pocket. Its not about what he did more than a decade ago - but it is the manner in which he denied the charges by saying "completely forgotten about it."
How many would completely forget run down with cops while vacationing in foreign country? Either you are taking everyone for a ride or you have had many such incidents to remember this specific one.
He speaks his mind, but not always truth.
But I agree on his take on more refugees. Its not just about fiscal.
... Toronto residents have to pick the worse among the worst
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Mumbai Maazi Ladki ...
Quote:
Originally posted by Maharaj
... Toronto residents have to pick the worse among the worst
Its strange that both you and Meghal used the same language - shouldn't it be worded - "better (or best) amongst the worst"...just saying..
TO voters have a very difficult decision to make - ROB Ford speaks his mind and whatever he speaks the current voters like to hear - but what he says is practically impossible to achieve. After all the Mayor is just 1 vote in the council and if majority of the councillors vote AGAINST his ideas, there is nothing he can do - unless the voters elect his loyal councillors - thats a long shot. The current administration is in the hands of the trade unions and there is no way anyone else can get elected or have his way AGAINST UNION interests.
Coming back to immigrants settling in TO - it is a complex situation which no one has a solution yet. People will settle where there are job opportunities - so unless other areas of Canada come up with new plans, new immigrants are bound to flock to TO.
Speaking specifically about the SL tamils coming to TO - since the entire ship was sponsored by GTA tamils, that is where those refugees are coming. They have no other support system right now - till they find their bearings and branch out on their own.
Sometimes it is a blessing to be living in a 2nd/3rd rung city -
Hiren
Quote:
Originally posted by hchheda
Quote:
Originally posted by Maharaj
... Toronto residents have to pick the worse among the worst
Its strange that both you and Meghal used the same language - shouldn't it be worded - "better (or best) amongst the worst"...just saying..
That was plain copy-paste from me ...
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Mumbai Maazi Ladki ...
what Ford is telling doesn't sound like stupid to me
This type of system & problems is being faced by many developed cities around the world. At one time when the city is still developing they want all the people around the world to come and settle there so that their population grows, land prices increases & demand starts growing. But once there is much population they eventually starts decreasing the immigration for that city.
The same case is in Australia where they have started a new kind of working visa where your immigration file gets clear within 8 months but it would be mandatory for you to live in the city where they designate you for 2 years of your working visa. Then latter on you get PR and then you are free to work anywhere in the country if you get a job & can afford moving.
But Australians were smart that they didn't made a issue out of it. They just made the arrangements & implemented it. But this is North America so its different. We would like to show the world every part of us.......
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i..........rock........!!!!!
Quote:
Originally posted by hchheda
Its strange that both you and Meghal used the same language - shouldn't it be worded - "better (or best) amongst the worst"...just saying..
Hiren
Hmm, good catch.
Perhaps the right word would be the "less worst among the worst" or something.
Both 680 and 1010 are busy today with this whole Rob Ford and his Florida scandal. I wish politicians spoke more about real issues that face Toronto and not engage in washing dirty linens in public.
