Welcome
Hello,
Tomorrow evening, (Tuesday, November 24, 2009) I will be hosting a roundtable discussion at the Artscape Wychwood Barns (601 Christie Street, just south of St. Clair) called “Setting the Agenda 2010.” The event runs from 6:30-9:30p.m.
This is an opportunity to shift focus away from the “who” in next year’s mayoral race and toward the “what.” What are the policy issues that Torontonians care about?
To facilitate this discussion, I have also created this website, www.settingtheagenda2010.com, where residents have been invited to share their visions for Toronto. We have had nearly 5000 visits to the website, with nearly 300 comments
Tomorrow night, we will be joined by two guest speakers who will get our discussion started:
- Rahul Bhardwaj, President and CEO, Toronto Community Foundation
- Hugh Mackenzie, Principle, Hugh Mackenzie and Associates and Research Associate, Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives and Centre for Urban Studies, University of Toronto
Participants will then have the opportunity to workshop ideas in small group breakout sessions.
I hope you will spend some time here on the website to read what others are saying and add your ideas.
I look forward to seeing you tomorrow evening.
Sincerely,
31931772
November 17, 2009 at 4:44 pm |
Great initiative Joe. I hope to make it.
November 19, 2009 at 11:10 am |
Good initiative – but how about adding a democratic reform thread? The processes for creating representation for and accountability to local citizens are in need of improvement and modernization – and the longer that overhaul is postponed, the harder it is to advance on the other issues.
Larry Gordon
Fair Vote Canada
PS Thanks for your support on the campaign finance reform issue.
November 19, 2009 at 11:22 am |
Thanks for considering my suggestions – looks great!
November 20, 2009 at 10:48 am |
I like what you are doing here. As a member of the ruling class what is your agenda. Are you thinking of standing for mayor? Are you running again? As a councilor where do you think the city is right now? Since amalgamation what have we accomplished, what are the failings?
November 20, 2009 at 4:33 pm |
I am very encouraged by this format and look forward to see what our community contributes.
November 20, 2009 at 6:51 pm |
Joe, I am looking for a place here where people can discuss broad health issues.
November 22, 2009 at 4:36 pm |
Done.
November 22, 2009 at 2:52 pm |
What about including seniors in this discussion?
While no doubt some are technologically literate, I would venture to guess that many are out of the loop on this. How will we include them in “setting the agenda for 2010″?
And… what about those whose first language is not English? How will we include them?
I am surprised immigration and settlement is not a key issue yet since it has such a massive effect on Toronto.
November 22, 2009 at 4:36 pm |
There is a page up now to talk seniors issues.
November 22, 2009 at 8:17 pm |
This seemed like a good idea. But it is a classic illustration of how undemocratic a mechanism like this is. Ken Wood dominates all discussion of every topic.
November 22, 2009 at 9:31 pm |
How is that undemocratic? You can have input on anything you want too.
I just happen to be a city politics junkie, not a member of any party or faction. Just an ordinary citizen, who appreciates the opportunity to engage in discussions.
November 23, 2009 at 1:32 pm |
Sorry to be ‘that guy’ but I don’t think you mean a ‘fulsome’ discussion, though there have been many of those at council. Fulsome means cloying and excessive and overdone. I don’t think we want one of those. Inclusive and wide-ranging, perhaps?
November 23, 2009 at 1:41 pm |
Fulsome has several definitions, including that which you cite. and this one: “encompassing all aspects; comprehensive: a fulsome survey of the political situation in Central America.”
However, due to the confusion over the intended meaning here, this word was changed last week.