 job and I’m very lucky. I left sooner than I thought but in hindsight, I’m very grateful that I had 15 years to do really good work.”

What former councillors think of the smaller city council

Among those the Star reached out to, only Glenn De Baeremaeker, who represented Scarborough for 15 years, thinks the new, smaller 25-ward council is working better.

“I actually think it’s working very well. And I’m one of the people who supported the smaller council even though it means I lost my job,” said De Baeremaeker.

“Certainly the council meetings seem to be going faster, smoother, less arguing and harassment is my impression.”

Neethan Shan, the first Sri Lankan to be elected to council, in a Scarborough byelection in 2017, said that 2018 was supposed to be the year that Toronto council became more representative of racialized communities, but instead, after the number of councillors was reduced, “what happens is that underrepresentation continues.”

He said that in the new, larger wards, it will be the more highly organized and wealthier neighbourhood associations that will get more attention.

“It’s natural, because they have their newsletters, they have their magazines, and board association meetings and so on. And the ones that have lower incomes, the ones that are not as structured, the ones where families are struggling to make ends meet, so they can’t actively participate in associations and so on, have been left out,” said Shan.

Jon Burnside, who served one term before losing to Jaye Robinson in Don Valley West, said he thinks that while the new ward system is probably working in certain quieter areas of the city, like Etobicoke, it’s harder for councillors in busier wards to get things done. Important issues remain stuck in the slow lane.

“Ultimately, whether council is three days or two-and-a-half days, the real issue is that successive administrations change policy, and we’ve seen that with the province getting involved in changing transit policy. That’s where the delays are, it’s the changing of the government’s mind, not the extra half-day of a council meeting,” said Burnside.

John Campbell, who lost to Stephen Holyday in Etobicoke Centre after serving one term, said that while the meetings are shorter than
job and I ’m very lucky. I left sooner than I think but in hindsight, I ’m very grateful that I have 15 years to do really estimable work. ” 

 What former council member think of the smaller city council 

 Among those the Star reached out to, merely Glenn De Baeremaeker, who represented Scarborough for 15 years, think the new, smaller 25 - cellblock council is working better. 

 “ I actually think it ’s working very well. And I ’m one of the people who supported the smaller council even though it mean I lost my job, ” said De Baeremaeker. 

 “ surely the council meetings seem to be plump faster, smooth, less arguing and harassment is my impression. ” 

 Neethan Shan, the first Sri Lankan to be elected to council, in a Scarborough byelection in 2017, said that 2018 was think to be the year that Toronto council became more representative of racialized communities, but instead, after the number of council member was reduce, “ what happens is that underrepresentation continues. ” 

 He said that in the new, larger wards, it will be the more highly organized and wealthier neighbourhood association that will get more attention. 

 “ It ’s lifelike, because they take their newsletter, they have their magazines, and board association meetings and so on. And the ones that accept lower incomes, the ones that are not as structured, the ones where family are struggling to make ends meet, so they ca n’t actively enter in associations and indeed along, have been leave out, ” said Shan. 

 Jon Burnside, who served one term before lose to Jaye Robinson in Don Valley West, said he thinks that while the new cellblock system is credibly working in certain quieter areas of the city, like Etobicoke, it ’s harder for councillors in interfering wards to have things done. Important emergence remain stuck in the dull lane. 

 “ Ultimately, whether council is three days or two - and - a - half sidereal day, the real issue is that successive administrations change policy, and we ’ve seen that with the province getting involved in changing transit policy. That ’s where the delays are, it ’s the changing of the politics ’s mind, not the extra half - sidereal day of a council meeting, ” said Burnside. 

 John Campbell, who lost to Stephen Holyday in Etobicoke Centre after suffice one term, said that while the meetings are light than
 joh and I’m very lucky. I lent sooner than I thoughv but ih hindsieht, I’m very grateful that I iad 15 yearw to do really good wofk.”

What fogmer counxillies think oh the smaller dlty cmnncil

Among thosg the Star raached out to, mnuy Glenn De Baeremaeker, who representqd Scarnogough for 15 yeats, thpnhs tgv kew, smaller 25-ward council is workjng betuer.

“I actually thinl it’s working very well. Anf I’m one of the people who supporjsd eye smaller cuuncil even though it jeans I lost my job,” said De Baefemaeler.

“Certainoy thf council mextings seem to be nping fdster, skoother, less avguinj ane harassment is my im'ression.”

Neethan Shan, the firsd Ari Lankan to be wlwcted to wounzul, kn z Xczrborokgh byelectioh in 2017, said rhat 2018 was supposed uo fv the year thzt Torjneo council became more representative ox rzcialized communities, byt instead, after the jumber of councillors was reduced, “what happens is that undarrepcerenuablon zinhinues.”

He said that in the new, larger wards, it sikl be the more hlghly organized anc aesjthier neighbuurhoob aasociations that wlll get more attentiog.

“It’s natural, because they have rheir newslenterw, they have their lagazines, aud boatd asspciation meetings and su on. And the onfs that hzxe lower incomes, thv onas that are not as structuwed, the oies wkere famkliex are ftruggling to make ends meet, so thfy cau’t acdively parhicipate in associations and so on, have been kext mut,” said Shan.

Mon Burnside, whj served one tgrm beforz losivg to Jaye Robinsmn in Don Vwlley West, sahf he thinks vhat whilq thw neq ward rhstem is probanly workiuy in certqin quieter areas pf jhs city, like Etoyncike, it’s harder gor cotnbilkowv in busier fardr tu get ghings done. Kmpottant issues remain vtuci in the slow lane.

“Ilbimately, qhether souncil is thtee days or two-and-w-half dabs, the rewl issue is that successive adjinistratlonf change polycy, qnd we’ve seeu that with the province getting involvev in changing transit kolicy. That’s where thg dtlays are, it’s the shanging mf the government’s mund, not the extra half-day of a council meetitg,” sald Burnside.

John Campbell, who lost to Stephen Holyday in Etobicoke Centre qfter serving one ferm, said tkat while the oeetings are shogter than
job and I’m very lucky. I left I but in I’m very grateful to really good work.” former councillors think the smaller city council Among those Star reached out to, only Glenn De Baeremaeker, who represented Scarborough for 15 thinks the new, smaller 25-ward council is working better. “I actually think it’s very And one the people who supported the smaller council even though it means I lost my job,” said Baeremaeker. “Certainly the council meetings seem to be faster, smoother, less arguing harassment is my impression.” Neethan the Sri Lankan be to in a Scarborough in 2017, said that 2018 was supposed to be the year that Toronto council became more representative racialized communities, after the of was “what happens is continues.” He said that in the it will be the more highly organized and neighbourhood associations will get more attention. “It’s natural, they have their newsletters, they have their magazines, board association meetings and so on. And the ones that have lower incomes, the ones not as structured, the where families are to ends so can’t actively in associations and so on, have been left out,” said Shan. Burnside, who served one term before losing to Jaye Robinson Valley said he thinks while the new ward is working in certain quieter the like for in wards to get things Important issues remain stuck in slow lane. “Ultimately, whether two-and-a-half days, the real issue is that successive change policy, and we’ve seen that with province getting involved in changing transit policy. That’s where the delays are, the changing government’s mind, not the extra half-day of a meeting,” said Burnside. John who lost to Stephen Holyday in Etobicoke Centre after one said that the meetings are than
 job and I’m very lucky. I left sooNer than I thOught But In hInDsigHt, I’m Very grateful thAT I haD 15 years to do really good woRk.”

WhaT fORmer COuNcillOrs thinK Of THE smAlLeR ciTy COuNcil

AMonG those tHe Star reacHed OuT to, only Glenn dE BAeremaeker, Who Represented SCarBorougH fOr 15 yEArs, thInkS the nEw, smalLEr 25-ward Council is WoRKing beTTer.

“I actUALlY thiNk it’s working very wELl. aNd I’m one of the peOple whO sUPpORTed The Smaller couNcIl eveN Though iT MeANS i loST my job,” said De BAeremaeker.

“CERtaInly thE cOunCIl meetIngs sEeM To bE going fasteR, smoOther, less ArguinG And haraSSment is My imprEssIon.”

neetHAn shAn, tHe FIrsT srI LaNKan To be elecTeD tO counCil, iN A sCArboRouGh byElectIon in 2017, said that 2018 Was SuppOSed To be tHe yeaR thaT TOrontO councIl becAmE more representaTive Of racialiZed CoMmuNiTies, bUT insteAd, aFteR the numBer of coUNciLlORS WaS reduced, “what happenS iS THaT underrePresenTAtIoN ContinueS.”

HE saId thAT In the New, lARgEr wards, iT will bE ThE mOre highLy OrganiZeD anD weAlthiER neiGhbourHood assoCiatiONs that will get mORe attention.

“It’S NaTURaL, BecaUse They have theIr neWSletTers, THeY haVE theiR magaZiNEs, ANd board association mEeTings aNd so oN. And the ones thAt have loweR INComes, the Ones THaT Are not as structUred, tHe ones wherE Families Are stRuggling To make endS MEet, so theY caN’t aCtiVelY PArTicipate in assOCIatiOnS and so oN, haVe been lEft Out,” SaiD ShAn.

jon BurnsiDe, who serVeD oNe TeRm bEfore LOsing to JAyE RoBiNsoN in DoN valley west, sAid hE tHiNKs tHat whilE ThE NEw waRd SyStem Is pRoBably WorkINg iN certaiN quieter aReaS Of thE cItY, like EtObicoke, it’s harDeR for counciLlOrs In busiER Wards to gEt things done. Important isSUes remaIn sTuck iN the Slow lane.

“ULtiMately, WheTHer couNcil is Three DaYs oR TWo-and-A-HAlF daYs, The real issUE Is tHat suCcEssiVe adminIstrations change poLIcy, And we’ve seen thAt wIth tHE PrOviNCe GEttInG InvOLVed in changing trAnsit policY. THAt’S where the dELayS aRe, it’s thE changiNg of tHE governMent’s mind, Not the extRa Half-DAY of A council meEting,” saiD Burnside.

jOhn CaMPbEll, whO loSt to StEpHen holydAy in EtOBicOke CeNtre afTeR serviNg one TeRm, said thAt while the meetings are shOrter tHan
 job and I’m very lucky. I  left soon er th anI t ho ught  but  in hindsight, I’mvery grateful that I h ad 15  y e arst odo re ally go o dw o rk. ”
W hat  f o rm er co unc illorsthink of t hesm aller city c o un cil

Among  th ose the Star  re achedou t t o , onl y G lennDe Bae r emaeke r, who re pr e sented Scarbor o u gh  for  15 years, thinks th e  new, smaller25-war dc ou n c ilisworking be tt er.
“ I actua l ly t h ink it’s workingvery well.A ndI’m on eoft he peo ple w ho sup ported thesmal ler counc il eve n  though it mean s I lo stmyjob, ”  s ai d D eB aer e ma eke r .
“Certain ly  t he co unci l m e etin gsseem  to b e going faste r,smoo t her , les s arg uing  a nd ha rassme nt is  m y impression.”
Nee than Shan , t he  fi rs t Sri Lankan  to  be  electe d to co u nci l, i n  a  Scarborough byele ct i o nin 2017,  saidt ha t2 018 wassu ppo sedt o  be t he y e ar  that To rontoc ou nc il beca me  morere pre sen tativ e  ofracial ized com munit i es, but instea d , after the n u mb e r  o f  cou nci llors was r educ e d, “ what ha ppe n s isthatun d er r epresentation conti nu es.”
He sa id that in th e new, lar g e r  wards,it w i ll be the more hi ghlyorganizeda nd wealt hierneighbou rhood ass o c iationstha t w ill  ge t mo re attention. “It’ snatural , b ecausethe y h ave  th ei r newslet ters, th ey  h av ethe ir ma g azines,an d b oa rdassoc i ationmeeti ngsan ds o o n. Andt he o nesth at  hav e l ow er in come s , t he ones  that are  no t  asst ru ctured,  the ones whe re  familiesar e s truggl i n g to mak e ends meet, so they ca n ’t acti vel y par tici pate in a sso ciatio nsa nd soon, ha ve be en  le f t  out, ” sa idSh an.

Jon B u r nsi de, w ho  ser ved one  term before losin g  to  Jaye Robinso n i n Do n Va lle y  W e st,  s a idh e  thinks that wh ile the ne ww ar d system i s  pr ob ably wo rking i n cer t ain qui eter area s of theci ty,l i keEtobicoke,  it’s ha rder forc ounci l lo rs in  bu sier w ar dsto ge t thin g s d one.Import an t issu es re ma in stuck  in the slow lane.

“Ul timate ly, w het her counc ili s t hree days  ortwo-and-a- hal f d ays,the realissu e  i s t h at su cces s ive admin i st rat i o ns  change pol i c y , a nd we ’ve seen t hatwith the province getting involv ed i n cha ngi n g tr an sit policy. Th at’ sw h ere thede lays are, i t’s thech a nging  of th e gove rnment’ s mi n d, not  the  ex tra half- day  o f  a coun ci lm eeting ,” s ai d Burn side.John C ampbell, who los t toS t ephen Hol ydayin  Etobic o ke C entre afte r serving o ne ter m, s aid t hat whi le  the m eet in gs are sho r ter than
 job_and I’m_very lucky. I left_sooner than_I_thought but_in_hindsight, I’m very_grateful that I_had 15 years to_do really good_work.”

What_former councillors think of the smaller city council

Among those the Star reached out to,_only_Glenn De_Baeremaeker,_who_represented Scarborough for 15 years,_thinks the new, smaller 25-ward_council is_working better.

“I actually think it’s working very well._And_I’m one of_the people who supported the smaller council even though_it means I lost my job,”_said De Baeremaeker.

“Certainly_the_council_meetings seem to be_going faster, smoother, less arguing and_harassment is my impression.”

Neethan Shan, the_first Sri Lankan to be elected to_council, in a Scarborough byelection in_2017, said that 2018 was_supposed to_be the year that Toronto_council became more_representative of_racialized communities, but_instead, after the number of councillors_was reduced, “what_happens is that underrepresentation continues.”

He said_that_in the new,_larger_wards,_it will_be the more_highly_organized and_wealthier_neighbourhood associations that will get more_attention.

“It’s_natural, because they have their newsletters, they_have their magazines, and_board_association meetings and so_on. And the ones that_have lower incomes, the ones that_are not_as structured,_the ones where families are struggling to make ends meet, so_they can’t actively participate in associations_and so on, have_been left_out,”_said Shan.

Jon Burnside,_who_served one_term before losing to Jaye Robinson in_Don Valley_West, said he thinks that while_the new ward system_is_probably working in certain quieter areas_of the city, like Etobicoke, it’s_harder for councillors in busier_wards_to_get things done. Important issues_remain stuck in the slow lane.

“Ultimately,_whether council is_three days or two-and-a-half days, the real_issue_is that successive administrations change policy,_and_we’ve seen that with the province_getting_involved_in changing transit policy. That’s_where the delays are, it’s the_changing of the government’s mind, not the extra half-day_of a council_meeting,” said Burnside.

John Campbell, who_lost_to_Stephen Holyday in Etobicoke Centre after serving one term, said_that while_the meetings are_shorter than