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In a Direct Line - Photo by Ulli Diemer

Letter to Tory MPPs

By Ulli Diemer

It is not too late to rectify the Megacity blunder.

You still have time to act in accordance with democratic principles and withdraw the legislation.

In practical terms, the legislation is utterly without merit. It was cooked up, apparently on the spur of the moment, without serious study or consultation of any kind. No study of the future of Toronto has ever recommended what is contemplated in Bill 103. The proof is overwhelming that it won't work, that is has not worked where it was tried in the U.S., and that it would be horrendously expensive and destructive of local services and infrastructures. It is an act of vandalism being committed by people who have no clue how cities work.

The most repugnant and unprincipled aspect of this legislation, however, is not the content but the undemocratic process.

This legislation is being imposed by a government which has no mandate to do so. On the contrary, Mr. Harris explicitly stated his opposition to amalgamation when he was seeking to become Premier.

The legislation was introduced and pushed forward in violation of established democratic procedures and traditions. There was no consultation with those who would be affected. Huge amounts of taxpayers' money was spent to promote the legislation, in contempt of the legislature and the people.

Most important of all, the legislation has been voted on and rejected by an overwhelming 76% majority in a Metro-wide vote. The numbers of those who voted against it are far higher than those who voted for Progressive Conservation candidates in Metro during the last provincial election.

If you believe in democracy, you must respect the will of the people, which has been expressed in the clearest possible terms. Your only principled option is to call openly for this legislation to be withdrawn and, if it comes to a vote, to vote against it.

If you are not prepared to respect democratic principles, then your only honourable course of action is to resign your seat and seek re-election on a platform openly and explicitly laying out your intention to do away with democracy and replace it with dictatorship.

It is hard to believe you entered public life intending to subvert democracy. It is hard to believe you are comfortable knowing your actions will almost certainly lead to the loss of your seat, and the destruction of your party in Ontario.

Do not let the small clique of fanatical ideologues who are currently running your party do this to you, or to us, the voters.

Act on principle. Support democracy. Act in accordance with the democratic will of the people as overwhelmingly expressed in the referendum.

I await your reply.

Sincerely,

Ulli Diemer



Ulli Diemer
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