Council's new faces challenge old guard          
City Hall will be uncharted waters for 14 councillors-to-be from across Toronto
 

JENNIFER LEWINGTON: CITY HALL BUREAU CHIEF
 

As Toronto's 14 brand new councillors settled into the idea of victory yesterday morning, the talk across the city was already about serious change. "The younger crop of people that are now coming in, I think we're the future, and we need to point out to some of the elder statesmen and women of the council that . . . we are ready to work for change," said Michael Thompson, who won an open seat in Scarborough-Centre. "Clearly we need them to understand that we are in a new day, and they need to work with us," he said, adding it will also be important that he and the other newcomers "respect and work with" the existing members of council.

On Monday, Torontonians voted 14 untested councillors-to-be into office, meaning almost one-third of the next council will be made up of new faces. Ten of these 14 councillors, who hail from across the city, won open seats, while four knocked off incumbents. Of the 14, most say the city should attempt to cancel the fixed link to the Toronto island airport; many do not agree that incineration is the way to fix the garbage problem; and almost all say it is time to change the way business is conducted by the city.

For mayor-elect David Miller, this pick of eager and mostly supportive newcomers could not have turned out much better. "I think it's a great council for this city," he said, when asked about his likely working relationship with the entire 44-person council. "We have a good mix of experienced people and newcomers with new energy. That is what the megacity needed." Yesterday, Mr. Miller placed and received calls to and from many of the new council members. In the new group of 14, he heard a great deal of support, not only for him as the new mayor but also for the core policies on which he campaigned. "I really think [we have] a mandate to start solving all of the larger issues," said Shelley Carroll, almost echoing Mr. Miller's campaign mantra. Ms. Carroll, a former school trustee, won in Don Valley East over Rob Davis, a former conservative councillor who represented St. Paul's West.

Like many of the other newcomers, she said she wants to see the decision to build a fixed link to the airport reversed, mostly because she feels the people of Toronto did not get a proper chance to express their concerns. Others agreed with Ms. Carroll, not only on the fixed link but also that the process followed by City Hall needs to change. "People have voted for a different kind of city where there is a lot more consultation and openness," said Adam Giambrone, who won Mario Silva's old seat in Davenport.

While most laud the enthusiasm of the new group of councillors, some question whether they fully understand what they are proposing. "When you're putting out contracts, you don't do that publicly," returning councillor Kyle Rae said. "You have to do it through a tender process and there are very strict rules you have to follow or else no one's going to bid. "I think there are some realities of the business procedure that need to be part of the education of the new councillors," he said. Mr. Rae did say, however, that if the incoming councillors arrive with a truly better way of doing things, he would be more than happy to make it work.

Despite the guarded reaction from some of those currently on council, Mr. Thompson said he thinks it is possible to bring meaningful reform to City Hall. "People want to see some change in the management style. They want us to be looking at managing the whole process more efficiently," he said. For that to happen, however, he said all the new candidates have to work toward the same end. "There has to be the impetus for change," he said. ". . .If we're not doing it, I'd rather not be on council." While most supported a change in the way city business is done, not all 14 councillors agree with Mr. Miller's entire platform.

Those who had reservations remain positive and optimistic, however, that Mr. Miller will be the type of leader who can include everyone in the decision-making process. "I hope it doesn't become partisan," said Michael Del Grande, an accountant who defeated incumbent Sherene Shaw in Scarborough-Agincourt. Mr. Del Grande said he still sees animosity between existing members of council and he hopes that Mr. Miller can help to bring people together and capitalize on their individual strengths. "I don't think we have a lot of time for a lot of hot air," he said. "We have to focus on fixing things."

With several large issues facing the newly reorganized council in the near future, the newcomers expressed the feeling that time is of the essence. "Our window is small," said Karen Stintz, who beat incumbent Anne Johnston in Eglinton-Lawrence. "We need to show real leadership and real cohesion. There is momentum and there is real excitement and a real energy that will be seen on council."