Finance Minister vs. Toronto
Jim Flaherty shows how to alienate a metropolis in five easy steps
Image credit: Rene Johnston/Toronto Star
Finance Minister Jim Flaherty is the closest thing we’ve got to a local voice in Stephen Harper’s cabinet. So why does he treat Toronto like an unwanted stepchild? Here, a history of ardent T. Dot trashing
1. After heading for the Hill in 2006, Harper’s new finance minister imposes a tax on new income trusts. The TSX plunges nearly 300 points overnight.
2. His spring budget hits us right where it hurts: in the cultural renaissance. Says no way to funding pleas from the ROM, the COC, the AGO and other artsy acronyms.
3. Despite a report predicting the collapse of Canadian cities, Flaherty won’t cough up the cash to fix infrastructure. He says Ottawa is “not in the pothole business.” Ouch.
4. New budget all but ignores the GTA—except for a spanking new rail line that runs through Flaherty’s riding. Oh goody, non-stop service to Peterborough!
5. Calls Ontario the “last place in Canada anyone would want to invest.” We’d try to defend ourselves, but we’re too busy getting this knife out of our back.
Comments
Comment on this story
Neither the author nor Toronto Life necessarily agree with the comments posted here. Editors will not correct spelling or grammar. Toronto Life reserves the right to edit or delete comments entirely. Read our full policy
Some articles on this site require that you have a Torontolife.com account in order to comment, and this is one of them. If you do not have an account, you can register now.
Follow Toronto Life on Twitter, Facebook and via RSS