In this occasional feature, two Torontoist staffers face off to debate an issue that is important to our city. We invite our readers to join in the debate in the comments section after the post. In October of 2006, Maclean’s magazine published an excerpt from writer Mark Steyn’s book, America Alone, which argued that demographics and the failures of liberal society were inevitably leading to the Islamization of Europe. Subsequently a group of Muslim students... [continue]

In this occasional feature, two Torontoist staffers face off to debate an issue that is important to our city. We invite our readers to join in the debate in the comments section after the post. For the first time since amalgamation, City Council has been presented with a budget that doesn't require a new round of hand-outs from Queen's Park in order to balance. The price of this achievement is high. Along with new land-transfer... [continue]

In this occasional feature, two Torontoist staffers face off to debate an issue that is important to our city. We invite our readers to join in the debate in the comments section after the post. Signs, signs, everywhere signs. The beginning of the year marked the first anniversary of a controversial and radical ban of all nearly outdoor advertising in São Paulo, Brazil. While Toronto's advertising problems are certainly not as serious as São Paulo's,... [continue]

In this occasional feature, two Torontoist staffers face off to debate an issue that is important to our city. We invite our readers to join in the debate in the comments section after the post. Public consultations are currently underway for a controversial plan that would establish Toronto's first black-focused or "afro-centric" alternative school. Supporters of the plan claim that this will help provide black students with a nurturing environment, but a vocal opposition claims...... [continue]

In this occasional feature, two Torontoist staffers face off to debate an issue that is important to our city. We invite our readers to join in the debate in the comments section after the post. Photo by moonwire from the Torontoist Flickr Pool. Last week, as Ross Hammond and a friend were walking up Queen St. West near Trinity Bellwoods Park, they were confronted by four panhandlers demanding money. A verbal confrontation escalated and Mr.... [continue]

Torontoist vs. Torontoist is an occasional feature that has two of our staffers debating an issue that is important to our city. We invite our readers to join the debate in the comments section following the post. Last week, Canadian Olympic Committee chief executive Chris Rudge (who Torontoist believes may have been separated at birth from David Miller) floated the idea that Toronto should seriously consider putting together a bid to host the 2020 Summer... [continue]

At random intervals, two Torontoist staffers square off to debate an issue that's important to our city. We invite our readers to join the debate in the comments section following the post. Last Friday June 29 was designated a "national day of action" for First Nations people to raise public awareness on Native issues. While most of the activities were peaceful, there were some groups which went further, engaging in illegal blockades of roads and... [continue]

At random intervals, two Torontoist staffers square off to debate an issue that's important to our city. We invite our readers to join the debate in the comments section following the post. This past week, there was considerable uproar when it was revealed that Toronto emergency vehicles would be forced to remove magnetic decals saying “Support Our Troops.” However, following much public outcry, and the deaths of three more Canadian soldiers in Afghanistan, Mayor David... [continue]

Every week (or so), two Torontoist staffers square off to debate an issue that's important to our city. We invite our readers to join the debate in the comments section following the post. Last week, Ontario Health Minister George Smitherman acknowledged that the idea of banning smoking in apartment buildings probably merits some kind of public discussion. While the election-conscious Smitherman didn’t venture any real opinion on the subject, much less suggest specifics on the... [continue]

Every week (or so), two Torontoist staffers square off to debate an issue that's important to our city. We invite our readers to join the debate in the comments section following the post. Last week, a panel discussion at City Hall kicked off a campaign to extend voting rights in local elections to Torontonians who are not citizens. Although Mayor David Miller supported the idea during last years municipal elections, thus far no provincial political... [continue]

Every week (or so), two Torontoist staffers square off to debate an issue that's important to our city. We invite our readers to join the debate in the comments section following the post. At Toronto Summit 2007, Mayor David Miller launched a campaign to get the Federal government to share one cent of the GST with Canada's cities. Toronto's share of one cent of the GST would amount to an estimated $400 million, but so... [continue]

Every week (or so), two Torontoist staffers square off to debate an issue that's important to our city. We invite our readers to join the debate in the comments section following the post. Federal Finance Minister Jim Flaherty met with the big banks last week in an effort to get them to lower or eliminate the fees Canadians pay for banking at ATMs. The response was chilly. Scotiabank and National Bank have already dug in... [continue]

Every week (or so), two Torontoist staffers square off to debate an issue that's important to our city. We invite our readers to join the debate in the comments section following the post. This month has seen protests at Queens Park by students who are angered over rising tuition fees at universities and colleges, and want the province to do something about it. So are high fees really hurting students and limiting access to higher... [continue]

Every week (or so), two Torontoist staffers square off to debate an issue that's important to our city. We invite our readers to join the debate in the comments section following the post. Stories about young people and guns have become so commonplace in our city that it is almost difficult to find them shocking any more. In the latest incident, three people were shot at a house party in Scarborough. A seventeen-year-old boy was... [continue]

Every week (or so), two Torontoist staffers square off to debate an issue that's important to our city. We invite our readers to join the debate in the comments section following the post. Today Garth Turner became the latest Member of Parliament elected for one party to wind up sitting on the other side of the floor. He's in good company. The defections of Belinda Stronach, David Emerson and Wajid Khan are still fresh in... [continue]

Every week (or so), two Torontoist staffers square off to debate an issue that's important to our city. We invite our readers to join the debate in the comments section following the post. In the last few weeks there’s been a campaign by the provincial NDP and their supporters to increase the minimum wage in Ontario from 8 to 10 dollars an hour, and opinions are deeply divided on what for many is a very... [continue]

Every week (or so), two Torontoist staffers square off to debate an issue that's important to our city. We invite our readers to join the debate in the comments section following the post. Earlier this week the Ontario Court of Appeal released a decision regarding the Ontario Safe Streets Act. A number of individuals convicted under the act had appealed, claiming that the act violates several sections of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. In... [continue]

Every week (or so), two Torontoist staffers square off to debate an issue that's important to our city. We invite our readers to join the debate in the comments section following the post. Way back on December 18 2006, video surveillance cameras were placed in 3 locations near Dundas Square in downtown Toronto in an experiment to see if they would serve as a deterrent against crime. Last week, after less than a month in... [continue]

Every week (or so), two Torontoist staffers square off to debate an issue that's important to our city. We invite our readers to join the debate in the comments section following the post. Background photo by imuttoo from the from the Torontoist Flickr Pool. London's congestion charge was introduced in February 2003. The initial charge was £5, but as of July 2005 it costs £8 (roughly $18.25) each weekday to drive a car into the... [continue]

Background photo of Queen's Park by Scott Chandler from the Torontoist Flickr Pool. Last week, Ontario MPPs gave themselves a Christmas present that any of us would have enjoyed: a 25% pay hike. Was this just a long-overdue catch-up, finally bringing MPP salaries into line with their federal counterparts, or the worst kind of political trough-feeding? In our new feature, two Torontoist staffers -- Patrick Metzger and Ken Hunt -- square off to debate... [continue]