Josh Matlow’s motion to refer the question of the Scarborough subway to Executive Committee has revealed a City Council that appears to be deeply divided over the wisdom of the project. The vote among those present was 21 to 21, causing the motion to fail on a tie. Three councillors, Augimeri, Peruzza and Filion were absent for the vote, prompting speculation among Twitter watchers that the motion might have passed had they been present. Matlow (Ward 22) is pursuing an investigation into the true cost of the subway and its value for money in light of what kind of traffic it might carry. His efforts have been greeted by a territorial response from Scarborough Councilor Glenn de Baeremaeker who said it was time that his part of the city got its “fair share.” He made it clear he thinks Matlow and others are out to switch the city’s planning back from a subway to an LRT system. The issue has been put in focus in recent weeks by an analysis done by former TTC general manager Michael Warren. He wrote a column giving reasons why the subway as planned is poor value for money. He offers criticism of both Mayor Tory and Premier Wynne for pursuing the subway. He cited Wynne for acting on Liberal Party strategy to elect members in Scarborough and Mr. Tory for currying favour with Wynne. In the past Tory has said he did not wish to poke a stick in the eye of Queen’s Park on this matter. Among South Bayview area councillors, the split on the Matlow motion looked like this. In favor: Wong-Tam, Burnside, Carmichael. Robinson, Fragedakis, Matlow. Opposed: Colle
Yes: 21 Ana Bailão, Jon Burnside, John Campbell, Christin Carmichael Greb, Shelley Carroll, Joe Cressy, Janet Davis, Frank Di Giorgio, Sarah Doucette, Paula Fletcher, Mary Fragedakis, Mike Layton, Chin Lee, Josh Matlow, Pam McConnell, Mary-Margaret McMahon, Joe Mihevc, Cesar Palacio, Gord Perks, Jaye Robinson, Kristyn Wong-Tam
No: 21 Paul Ainslie, Michelle Berardinetti, Raymond Cho, Josh Colle, Gary Crawford, Vincent Crisanti, Glenn De Baeremaeker, Justin J. Di Ciano, Rob Ford, Mark Grimes, Stephen Holyday, Jim Karygiannis, Norman Kelly, Giorgio Mammoliti, Denzil Minnan-Wong, Ron Moeser, Frances Nunziata (Chair), James Pasternak, David Shiner, Michael Thompson, John Tory Absent: 3 Maria Augimeri, John Filion, Anthony Perruzza
