Many have suggested that Ford’s sudden move with respect to Peel Region was motivated by personal considerations – a continuation of his animosity toward Patrick Brown, Mayor of Brampton, and a strategy to placate Mississauga Mayor Bonnie Crombie so that she would not pursue leadership of the provincial Liberals. This personal approach has been evident in a number of other decisions by Ford. A prime example (Richard Tindal Blog - Tindal on Government (weebly.com) was his August 2018 action in cutting the size of the Toronto council in half – after the election campaign was already underway – a move prompted by his desire to rid the city of left-leaning downtown councillors. More petty, score-settling behaviour was evident by his 2018 cancellation of direct election of regional chairs for York and Peel regions, thereby thwarting the political ambitions of former Liberal cabinet minister Steven Del Duca and former provincial Conservative leader Patrick Brown, respectively.
Ford’s Flawed Policy Making
The changes being imposed on Peel Region may have merit, but if so, why weren’t the implications of these major changes analyzed and then subjected to public discussion before being imposed so arbitrarily? Why do we accept policy making by pique? How long is the public willing to tolerate a situation in which municipalities are not just creatures of the province but serfs in the Ford fiefdom? It has already been too long and one can only hope that citizens will recognize the important role played by municipal government and demand that Ford cease his personal vendetta.