I thought exactly the same thing when I saw it.

Phil is a white power guy?

I get that, but this whole LRT ordeal has been terribly handled. They had to rip down my favourite bowling alley a few years ago. Just in the nick of time I guess. I believe they are coming for my pool hall next.

She wanted us to know she was talking directly to us. That was pretty cringe.

You came to the police board with a bunch of items to cut. Some big, some small. Councillors came to the horseshoe with various things to cut, some big some small. I don't think bundling a collection makes each more valid than looking at them independently. Agree to disagree.

And I just have to comment again on this... believing the Spec knowingly committed an act of anti-black racism for the purpose of preventing a black man from being elected is not something I could forgive with a simple apology. I don't think people are racist by accident and an apology will do.

I really do believe you that you don't see it a symbolic divisive issue in regards to spending, and simply an attack on poetry. I do not doubt your sincerity there. It feels like to some on council, critique on spending is simply critique on the line item itself.

Thank you for clearing that up. It did appear to me that many people thought that if your motion had passed, that would mean the budget would be reduced.

If you hate living close to a grocery store, drive back and forth half a dozen times before going in.

If they want real change, they have to address the province and their oversight over these things. Again, I could be wrong and Cameron can correct me if so. I am surprised that Clr Nann and Clr M Wilson among others voted against this. The only two votes in favour were Cameron and A Wilson.

I thought that for police budgets, they could appeal to the province, which would just rubber stamp their request. I could be wrong about this though, and was hoping Cameron could clear up the potential outcome of his motion.

After having read the article and watching the debate, I disagree that the reason it is a headline is because it is a cheap attack on the arts. It appears to be a headline because it was so divisive in council (8-8) with strong opinions on both sides and emblematic of some residents concerns.

That is very generous. I don't think I could do that.

I thought overall there was a cut. I will have to re-read Teviah's article on it. Still though, yes I guess a poet can have civic value, so does The Spec, and the Ti Cats and the Public Record and I am sure there would be value in a council meditation coach, but not everything has to be covered.

Could I get some clarification on this? Let's say your motion passed and the $12m was cut. Is that it? The police just lose that money and quickly figure out on their own how to make do with what they have?

I am not sure the budget should be covering everything that has civic value, but maybe we can agree to disagree on that.

Ive seen your op-eds in The Spec. Does this mean they took action to no longer be racists and interfere in elections of black candidates? The protest is over?

I agree, sometimes it can seem 'performative' and people laugh at the idea of cutting anything nice thats under 7 figures. But it is kind of like when you called for eliminating the $1200 survey monkey line item from the police budget last year, no? (going from memory on that one).

It is kind of comical that the Ward2 Clr is voting against this. I have seen him many times bring a motion to ask staff to prepare a report, and when clrs vote against it because they dont support where its going, he does his talking down thing to them saying 'This is JUST asking for more info!'.

I would assume so, but if Pauls can be vice chair of the police board, who knows anymore.