In one brief evening of doing God’s work, City Council made plastic bags illegal in Toronto. For the public, there was no blip on the radar that this was coming and no one asked us what it thought. Whatever you feel about plastic bags, compare that summary execution to the ponderous course the City has travelled on the subject of holiday openings. Before the last election two years ago, City staff told Council that Toronto really had to get with it and permit shopping on statutory holidays like today. Even the Executive Committee voted in favour of it. But Councillors just couldn’t summon up the courage to take a vote. After the election, the City organized a huge public opinion poll. It’s still going on. Recently flyers were delivered to announce a large series of public meetings. Meantime, stores like Staples and other big chains are open today. The Eaton Centre and heaven knows how many other malls are open. The theatres are open and so are the bars and the restaurants. There’s something about this issue that terrifies your average Councillor.