Chris Ecklund- Larry Di Ianni Blog

Former Mayor Larry Di Ianni and Mr. Ecklund's daughter Erika

ARCHIVED POSTS:

The Affordable Connaught: Lessons Learned (September 21, 2009)
Do Canadians Want A Federal Election? (September 17, 2009)
Amalgamation Revisited (September 14, 2009)
Whither or Should that be Wither the Connaught? (September 11, 2009)
Hamilton- a City of Philanthropists (September 8, 2009)
Who is Canada's Political Lion(August 31, 2009)
Bloggers Beware: you are not as invisible as you think!(August 28, 2009)
Redeemer College University: A Deserving Member of Hamilton’s Education City (August 24, 2009)
What's New About the NDP? (August 19, 2009)
Is Neighbourhood Planning the Art of the Possible?(August 12, 2009)
Integrity Commissioner’s First Investigation: Much Ado About Nothing (August 10, 2009)
Et Tu Hamilton? Did our city just throw Balsillie’s hopes under a bus?(August 5, 2009)
A Fine Finesse or a Fine Mess? The Opening of the Financial Floodgates (July 31, 2009)
The Politics of Floods (July 28, 2009)
Sundry Summer Thoughts, 2009 (July 23, 2009)
James Street Revitilization and Rev. Ron Burridge (July 21, 2009)
A Review of My New Year’s Predictions (July 13, 2009)
Transformers in Winona: Revenge of the Changelings (July 10, 2009)
The Virtues of Tax Increases (Or Not!) (July 9, 2009)
Council’s Plan for Future Development (July 2, 2009)
Hamilton's Self-Esteem (June 26, 2009)
Da Rally, Da Media and Di Manno (June 22, 2009)
Balsillie Has Done the Heavy Lifting; It is Now Time for Hamilton to Act (June 15, 2009)
Mady Development in Winona (June 5, 2009)
NDP Impotence is Costing Hamilton Federal Support (June 2, 2009)
Metrolinx Appoints New Board (May 29, 2009)
Accountability and Transparency Committee Misses the Mark (May 27, 2009)
Mourning Randy Steele (May 25, 2009)
Success at Hess Village? (May 22, 2009)
Boosterism or Realism: these should not be the options for the City of Hamilton! (May 20, 2009)
Council's Role and the NHL (May 14, 2009)
Sundry Spring Thoughts (May 8, 2009)
Is the City of Burlington Hamilton's Friend or Rival? (May 5, 2009)
The Church of the Universe and Hamilton Politics (April 29, 2009)
Pandemic Response: Is Hamilton Ready? (April 27, 2009)
Ambassador Robert Fowler’s Hamilton Connection (April 23, 2009)
Healthcare and Hamilton Politics (April 21, 2009)
Administrative Changes Continue in Hamilton (April 17, 2009)
Devastating Earthquake in Central Italy (April 13, 2009)
Waste Management and the City Budget (April 7, 2009)
GoTransit and Metrolinx Merger: Benefits and Implications (April 1, 2009)
Ontario’s Budget: A Risky Proposition or a Sure Thing? (March 30, 2009)
Environment Hamilton: Methinks the group doth protest too much? (March 26, 2009)
Term Limits: Pros and Cons (March 23, 2009)
Tim Hudak: Leader in Waiting? (March 18, 2009)
The Winds of Change (March 9, 2009)
Planning Matters: An Interesting Planning Committee Discussion (March 6, 2009)
Mourning The Steel Company of Canada (March 4, 2009)
Marketing Our City: Tourism Hamilton’s Excellent Adventure (March 3, 2009)
Media Crisis Hits Hamilton Hard (February 27, 2009)
King of NIMBY Fights City Hall (February 23, 2009)
Impoverishing the Future (February 20, 2009)
Of Roasts and Toasts And Politics And Such (February 17, 2009)
Pan-Am Games: Should Hamilton Participate? (February 12, 2009)
The Affordable Connaught: Lessons Learned (September 21, 2009)
Do Canadians Want A Federal Election? (September 17, 2009)
Amalgamation Revisited (September 14, 2009)
Whither or Should that be Wither the Connaught? (September 11, 2009)
Hamilton- a City of Philanthropists (September 8, 2009)
Who is Canada's Political Lion(August 31, 2009)
Bloggers Beware: you are not as invisible as you think!(August 28, 2009)
Redeemer College University: A Deserving Member of Hamilton’s Education City (August 24, 2009)
What's New About the NDP? (August 19, 2009)
Is Neighbourhood Planning the Art of the Possible?(August 12, 2009)
Integrity Commissioner’s First Investigation: Much Ado About Nothing (August 10, 2009)
Et Tu Hamilton? Did our city just throw Balsillie’s hopes under a bus?(August 5, 2009)
A Fine Finesse or a Fine Mess? The Opening of the Financial Floodgates (July 31, 2009)
The Politics of Floods (July 28, 2009)
Sundry Summer Thoughts, 2009 (July 23, 2009)
James Street Revitilization and Rev. Ron Burridge (July 21, 2009)
A Review of My New Year’s Predictions (July 13, 2009)
Transformers in Winona: Revenge of the Changelings (July 10, 2009)
The Virtues of Tax Increases (Or Not!) (July 9, 2009)
Council’s Plan for Future Development (July 2, 2009)
Hamilton's Self-Esteem (June 26, 2009)
Da Rally, Da Media and Di Manno (June 22, 2009)
Balsillie Has Done the Heavy Lifting; It is Now Time for Hamilton to Act (June 15, 2009)
Mady Development in Winona (June 5, 2009)
NDP Impotence is Costing Hamilton Federal Support (June 2, 2009)
Metrolinx Appoints New Board (May 29, 2009)
Accountability and Transparency Committee Misses the Mark (May 27, 2009)
Mourning Randy Steele (May 25, 2009)
Success at Hess Village? (May 22, 2009)
Boosterism or Realism: these should not be the options for the City of Hamilton! (May 20, 2009)
Council's Role and the NHL (May 14, 2009)
Sundry Spring Thoughts (May 8, 2009)
Is the City of Burlington Hamilton's Friend or Rival? (May 5, 2009)
The Church of the Universe and Hamilton Politics (April 29, 2009)
Pandemic Response: Is Hamilton Ready? (April 27, 2009)
Ambassador Robert Fowler’s Hamilton Connection (April 23, 2009)
Healthcare and Hamilton Politics (April 21, 2009)
Administrative Changes Continue in Hamilton (April 17, 2009)
Devastating Earthquake in Central Italy (April 13, 2009)
Waste Management and the City Budget (April 7, 2009)
GoTransit and Metrolinx Merger: Benefits and Implications (April 1, 2009)
Ontario’s Budget: A Risky Proposition or a Sure Thing? (March 30, 2009)
Environment Hamilton: Methinks the group doth protest too much? (March 26, 2009)
Term Limits: Pros and Cons (March 23, 2009)
Tim Hudak: Leader in Waiting? (March 18, 2009)
The Winds of Change (March 9, 2009)
Planning Matters: An Interesting Planning Committee Discussion (March 6, 2009)
Mourning The Steel Company of Canada (March 4, 2009)
Marketing Our City: Tourism Hamilton’s Excellent Adventure (March 3, 2009)
Media Crisis Hits Hamilton Hard (February 27, 2009)
King of NIMBY Fights City Hall (February 23, 2009)
Impoverishing the Future (February 20, 2009)
Of Roasts and Toasts And Politics And Such (February 17, 2009)
Pan-Am Games: Should Hamilton Participate? (February 12, 2009)
The Affordable Connaught: Lessons Learned (September 21, 2009)
Do Canadians Want A Federal Election? (September 17, 2009)
Amalgamation Revisited (September 14, 2009)
Whither or Should that be Wither the Connaught? (September 11, 2009)
Hamilton- a City of Philanthropists (September 8, 2009)
Who is Canada's Political Lion(August 31, 2009)
Bloggers Beware: you are not as invisible as you think!(August 28, 2009)
Redeemer College University: A Deserving Member of Hamilton’s Education City (August 24, 2009)
What's New About the NDP? (August 19, 2009)
Is Neighbourhood Planning the Art of the Possible?(August 12, 2009)
Integrity Commissioner’s First Investigation: Much Ado About Nothing (August 10, 2009)
Et Tu Hamilton? Did our city just throw Balsillie’s hopes under a bus?(August 5, 2009)
A Fine Finesse or a Fine Mess? The Opening of the Financial Floodgates (July 31, 2009)
The Politics of Floods (July 28, 2009)
Sundry Summer Thoughts, 2009 (July 23, 2009)
James Street Revitilization and Rev. Ron Burridge (July 21, 2009)
A Review of My New Year’s Predictions (July 13, 2009)
Transformers in Winona: Revenge of the Changelings (July 10, 2009)
The Virtues of Tax Increases (Or Not!) (July 9, 2009)
Council’s Plan for Future Development (July 2, 2009)
Hamilton's Self-Esteem (June 26, 2009)
Da Rally, Da Media and Di Manno (June 22, 2009)
Balsillie Has Done the Heavy Lifting; It is Now Time for Hamilton to Act (June 15, 2009)
Mady Development in Winona (June 5, 2009)
NDP Impotence is Costing Hamilton Federal Support (June 2, 2009)
Metrolinx Appoints New Board (May 29, 2009)
Accountability and Transparency Committee Misses the Mark (May 27, 2009)
Mourning Randy Steele (May 25, 2009)
Success at Hess Village? (May 22, 2009)
Boosterism or Realism: these should not be the options for the City of Hamilton! (May 20, 2009)
Council's Role and the NHL (May 14, 2009)
Sundry Spring Thoughts (May 8, 2009)
Is the City of Burlington Hamilton's Friend or Rival? (May 5, 2009)
The Church of the Universe and Hamilton Politics (April 29, 2009)
Pandemic Response: Is Hamilton Ready? (April 27, 2009)
Ambassador Robert Fowler’s Hamilton Connection (April 23, 2009)
Healthcare and Hamilton Politics (April 21, 2009)
Administrative Changes Continue in Hamilton (April 17, 2009)
Devastating Earthquake in Central Italy (April 13, 2009)
Waste Management and the City Budget (April 7, 2009)
GoTransit and Metrolinx Merger: Benefits and Implications (April 1, 2009)
Ontario’s Budget: A Risky Proposition or a Sure Thing? (March 30, 2009)
Environment Hamilton: Methinks the group doth protest too much? (March 26, 2009)
Term Limits: Pros and Cons (March 23, 2009)
Tim Hudak: Leader in Waiting? (March 18, 2009)
The Winds of Change (March 9, 2009)
Planning Matters: An Interesting Planning Committee Discussion (March 6, 2009)
Mourning The Steel Company of Canada (March 4, 2009)
Marketing Our City: Tourism Hamilton’s Excellent Adventure (March 3, 2009)
Media Crisis Hits Hamilton Hard (February 27, 2009)
King of NIMBY Fights City Hall (February 23, 2009)
Impoverishing the Future (February 20, 2009)
Of Roasts and Toasts And Politics And Such (February 17, 2009)
The Affordable Connaught: Lessons Learned (September 21, 2009)
Do Canadians Want A Federal Election? (September 17, 2009)
Amalgamation Revisited (September 14, 2009)
Whither or Should that be Wither the Connaught? (September 11, 2009)
Hamilton- a City of Philanthropists (September 8, 2009)
Who is Canada's Political Lion(August 31, 2009)
Bloggers Beware: you are not as invisible as you think!(August 28, 2009)
Redeemer College University: A Deserving Member of Hamilton’s Education City (August 24, 2009)
What's New About the NDP? (August 19, 2009)
Is Neighbourhood Planning the Art of the Possible?(August 12, 2009)
Integrity Commissioner’s First Investigation: Much Ado About Nothing (August 10, 2009)
Et Tu Hamilton? Did our city just throw Balsillie’s hopes under a bus?(August 5, 2009)
A Fine Finesse or a Fine Mess? The Opening of the Financial Floodgates (July 31, 2009)
The Politics of Floods (July 28, 2009)
Sundry Summer Thoughts, 2009 (July 23, 2009)
James Street Revitilization and Rev. Ron Burridge (July 21, 2009)
A Review of My New Year’s Predictions (July 13, 2009)
Transformers in Winona: Revenge of the Changelings (July 10, 2009)
The Virtues of Tax Increases (Or Not!) (July 9, 2009)
Council’s Plan for Future Development (July 2, 2009)
Hamilton's Self-Esteem (June 26, 2009)
Da Rally, Da Media and Di Manno (June 22, 2009)
Balsillie Has Done the Heavy Lifting; It is Now Time for Hamilton to Act (June 15, 2009)
Mady Development in Winona (June 5, 2009)
NDP Impotence is Costing Hamilton Federal Support (June 2, 2009)
Metrolinx Appoints New Board (May 29, 2009)
Accountability and Transparency Committee Misses the Mark (May 27, 2009)
Mourning Randy Steele (May 25, 2009)
Success at Hess Village? (May 22, 2009)
Boosterism or Realism: these should not be the options for the City of Hamilton! (May 20, 2009)
Council's Role and the NHL (May 14, 2009)
Sundry Spring Thoughts (May 8, 2009)
Is the City of Burlington Hamilton's Friend or Rival? (May 5, 2009)
The Church of the Universe and Hamilton Politics (April 29, 2009)
Pandemic Response: Is Hamilton Ready? (April 27, 2009)
Ambassador Robert Fowler’s Hamilton Connection (April 23, 2009)
Healthcare and Hamilton Politics (April 21, 2009)
Administrative Changes Continue in Hamilton (April 17, 2009)
Devastating Earthquake in Central Italy (April 13, 2009)
Waste Management and the City Budget (April 7, 2009)
GoTransit and Metrolinx Merger: Benefits and Implications (April 1, 2009)
Ontario’s Budget: A Risky Proposition or a Sure Thing? (March 30, 2009)
Environment Hamilton: Methinks the group doth protest too much? (March 26, 2009)
Term Limits: Pros and Cons (March 23, 2009)
Tim Hudak: Leader in Waiting? (March 18, 2009)
The Winds of Change (March 9, 2009)
Planning Matters: An Interesting Planning Committee Discussion (March 6, 2009)
Mourning The Steel Company of Canada (March 4, 2009)
Marketing Our City: Tourism Hamilton’s Excellent Adventure (March 3, 2009)
Media Crisis Hits Hamilton Hard (February 27, 2009)
King of NIMBY Fights City Hall (February 23, 2009)
Impoverishing the Future (February 20, 2009)
Of Roasts and Toasts And Politics And Such (February 17, 2009)
The Affordable Connaught: Lessons Learned (September 21, 2009)
Do Canadians Want A Federal Election? (September 17, 2009)
Amalgamation Revisited (September 14, 2009)
Whither or Should that be Wither the Connaught? (September 11, 2009)
Hamilton- a City of Philanthropists (September 8, 2009)
Who is Canada's Political Lion(August 31, 2009)
Bloggers Beware: you are not as invisible as you think!(August 28, 2009)
Redeemer College University: A Deserving Member of Hamilton’s Education City (August 24, 2009)
What's New About the NDP? (August 19, 2009)
Is Neighbourhood Planning the Art of the Possible?(August 12, 2009)
Integrity Commissioner’s First Investigation: Much Ado About Nothing (August 10, 2009)
Et Tu Hamilton? Did our city just throw Balsillie’s hopes under a bus?(August 5, 2009)
A Fine Finesse or a Fine Mess? The Opening of the Financial Floodgates (July 31, 2009)
The Politics of Floods (July 28, 2009)
Sundry Summer Thoughts, 2009 (July 23, 2009)
James Street Revitilization and Rev. Ron Burridge (July 21, 2009)
A Review of My New Year’s Predictions (July 13, 2009)
Transformers in Winona: Revenge of the Changelings (July 10, 2009)
The Virtues of Tax Increases (Or Not!) (July 9, 2009)
Council’s Plan for Future Development (July 2, 2009)
Hamilton's Self-Esteem (June 26, 2009)
Da Rally, Da Media and Di Manno (June 22, 2009)
Balsillie Has Done the Heavy Lifting; It is Now Time for Hamilton to Act (June 15, 2009)
Mady Development in Winona (June 5, 2009)
NDP Impotence is Costing Hamilton Federal Support (June 2, 2009)
Metrolinx Appoints New Board (May 29, 2009)
Accountability and Transparency Committee Misses the Mark (May 27, 2009)
Mourning Randy Steele (May 25, 2009)
Success at Hess Village? (May 22, 2009)
Boosterism or Realism: these should not be the options for the City of Hamilton! (May 20, 2009)
Council's Role and the NHL (May 14, 2009)
Sundry Spring Thoughts (May 8, 2009)
Is the City of Burlington Hamilton's Friend or Rival? (May 5, 2009)
The Church of the Universe and Hamilton Politics (April 29, 2009)
Pandemic Response: Is Hamilton Ready? (April 27, 2009)
Ambassador Robert Fowler’s Hamilton Connection (April 23, 2009)
Healthcare and Hamilton Politics (April 21, 2009)
Administrative Changes Continue in Hamilton (April 17, 2009)
Devastating Earthquake in Central Italy (April 13, 2009)
Waste Management and the City Budget (April 7, 2009)
GoTransit and Metrolinx Merger: Benefits and Implications (April 1, 2009)
Ontario’s Budget: A Risky Proposition or a Sure Thing? (March 30, 2009)
Environment Hamilton: Methinks the group doth protest too much? (March 26, 2009)
Term Limits: Pros and Cons (March 23, 2009)
Tim Hudak: Leader in Waiting? (March 18, 2009)
The Winds of Change (March 9, 2009)
Planning Matters: An Interesting Planning Committee Discussion (March 6, 2009)
Mourning The Steel Company of Canada (March 4, 2009)
Marketing Our City: Tourism Hamilton’s Excellent Adventure (March 3, 2009)
Media Crisis Hits Hamilton Hard (February 27, 2009)
King of NIMBY Fights City Hall (February 23, 2009)
Impoverishing the Future (February 20, 2009)
Of Roasts and Toasts And Politics And Such (February 17, 2009)
Pan-Am Games: Should Hamilton Participate? (February 12, 2009)
Governing in Tough Economic Times (February 9, 2009)
Winter Blahs and Wow Factors (February 4, 2009)
Municipal Service Centers: Unifying the City has a cost (February 2, 2009)
The Federal Budget Deserves Support (January 28, 2009)
NDP Hypocrisy Hurts 50,000 York U Students (January 26, 2009)
Appearances Can Be Deceiving: the Case for the Elfrida Node (January 22, 2009)
"Events, Dear Boy, Events" (January 19, 2009)
The Burdens of Office (January 13, 2009)
Federal NDP Caucus Lets Hamilton Down (January 12, 2009)
The South Pole and Anti-Business: A Relationship? (January 9, 2009)
Hamilton's Future Fund: A Success Story (January 7, 2009)
Forecasts for the Year 2009 (January 2, 2009)
New Year's Resolutions for Local and World Leaders (December 30, 2008)
NDP Convention May be a Barn-burner! (December 26, 2008)
Peak Oil and Airport Lands Development in the City of Hamilton (December 23, 2008)
A Christmas Story (December 19, 2008)
Hamilton Economic Summit and Hamiltonians For Progressive Development: A Tale of Two Approaches To Hamilton's Economic Future (December 17, 2008)
Hamilton Mourns Chester Waxman (December 15, 2008)
The Politics of Division At City Hall (December 12, 2008)
Sundry Thoughts: On Local, Provincial and Federal Issues (December 10, 2008)
The Recurring City Hall Debate: And It's Not Even Ground Hog Day Yet! (December 8, 2008)
On The Precipice (December 5, 2008)
How to Slay the Budget Dragon in the City of Hamilton (December 2, 2008)
Ottawa's Constitutional Crisis May Be Good News For Hamilton (December 1, 2008)
It is Time to Consider Changes to How Council Meetings are Chaired (November 27, 2008)
It's The Economy, Stupid (November 24, 2008)
From Business to Drive-Thrus: Everything is Connected (November 17, 2008)
Hamilton and the N.H.L: An Impossible Dream? (November 13, 2008)
The Role of Media in the City of Hamilton (November 10, 2008) UPDATED NOVEMBER 18 2008
Leadership Politics at the Municipal, Provincial and Federal Levels (November 5, 2008)
The City Hall Dilemma (November 4, 2008)
Ward Boundaries Revisited (October 30, 2008)
Should the Province Bail Out Hamilton? Again? (October 23, 2008)
Post Election Analysis (October 22, 2008)
A $48M Dollar Bonanza For Hamilton (August 29, 2008)
Branding the City of Hamilton (August 21, 2008)
The Area Rating Debate (part 2) (August 14, 2008)
Harmony or Fairness: The 'Area Rating' debate (Part One) (August 8, 2008)
The Royal Connaught: Crucial to Downtown Redevelopment (August 1, 2008)
Hamilton Politics and the Dark Side of the Internet (July 22, 2008)
Oily Politics in the City of Hamilton (July 7, 2008)
The Lister Re-Born? (July 2, 2008)
Council Moves Hamilton Towards the Future (June 25, 2008)
Soccer Fever As a Canadian Metaphor (June 23, 2008)
Tolling roads in Ontario (June 18, 2008)
Who Will Lead Downtown Renewal? (June 11, 2008)
The Scourge of Cancer Among Us (June 4, 2008)
Hamilton's Downtown Renewal (May 30, 2008)
A Rapid Transit System for Hamilton (May 20, 2008)
Hamilton's Economic Summit 2 (May 13, 2008)
Hamilton's Economic Summit (May 5, 2008)
The Flamborough Slot Revenue Debate (April 24, 2008)
The Caledonia Dispute Reaches Hamilton (April 21, 2008)
The Sad Saga of Lost Opportunities: How We Lost the Maple Leaf Pork Processing Plant (April 17, 2008)
Hovercraft Services For Hamilton? (April 9, 2008)
VIA Rail Part 2: We've Been Fooled Again! (April 3, 2008)
VIA Rail: Easy Come, Easy GO!!! (March 31, 2008)
Who Should Be Hamilton's Next City Manager (March 25, 2008)
How Elusive is Council Consensus? (March 17, 2008)
Glen Peace: A Man of Integrity (March 5, 2008)
Sundry Winter Reflections (February 28, 2008)
A Day and An Eternity: On Leaving the City for a Week (February 6, 2008)
An Integrity Commissioner and Integrity: Both Are Needed (February 6, 2008)
The Amalgamation Demon Raises Its Uncomfortable Head (February 1, 2008)
The Groundhog Day Debate: What to do about City Hall (January 25, 2008)
Hamilton Mourns Conrad Furey (January 24, 2008)
For Whom the Bell Tolls: Should the Red Hill Valley Parkway be Tolled? (January 17, 2008)
The Lister Saga Continues (January 8, 2008)
Out with the Old, in with the New (December 31, 2007)
Sprawl: Myth and Reality (December 18, 2007)
Towards Sustainable Transportation (December 13, 2007)
Assessment Growth and Job Creation (December 7, 2007)
On Transit, Bag Limits and the Running of City Meetings (December 1 , 2007)
The Importance of Public Transit (November 28, 2007)
Some Pre-Christmas Thoughts (November 26, 2007)
Airport Employment Growth District (November 15 , 2007)
The Red Hill Parkway (November 5 , 2007)
The Value of Mission Statements: the Impossible Dream or Doable Objectives? (November 2 , 2007)
The Toronto Act, More Taxes and the City of Hamilton (October 30, 2007)
Council Looking to Increase the Size of Council (October 23, 2007)
Ontario's Election: An analysis of the Local Reaction (October 16, 2007)
A New Stadium for the City of Hamilton? (October 7, 2007)
The Mid Peninsula Corridor and the City of Hamilton (September 27, 2007)
The Carpenter's Union And the City of Hamilton (September 21, 2007)
Provincial Election: The Local Scene (September 17, 2007)
Provincial Election: Some Early Observations (September 12, 2007)
Philanthropy is Changing the Face of Capitalism (September 10, 2007)

______________________________

LARRY'S CORNER- Hamilton's Former Mayor Speaks

former Mayor of Hamilton, Larry Di Ianni Governing in Tough Economic Times

By Larry Di Ianni
(posted February 9, 2009)

Several months ago, the Prime Minister told us that Canada’s ‘fundamentals’ were strong and our country would avoid a recession. He also predicted surplus budgets for the foreseeable future. Similarly, the Premier of Ontario, at a fundraiser I attended in Hamilton, also issued reassuring words to our community. “We will be ok”, he intoned soothingly. Although his prognosis wasn’t as rosy as the PM’s, it was also not alarmist.

We listened to their words and have been watching the economy devolve.

Now, one can’t turn on the radio, open a paper, or put on the TV without there being news items of layoffs, shutdowns, reductions and economic stagnation of the worst possible order. Everywhere one turns, the prognostications go from bad to worse.

What is the impact of this new economic reality to those who are in governing or leadership positions?

Bob Rae told me not too many months ago, as he was seeking the leadership of the Liberal party, that he had learned from his experience as the NDP premier of Ontario during the last big downturn in the ‘90’s. Then, he saw revenues fall through the floor, sending a feeling of dread among all government and bureaucratic circles of the day. He decided to confront the bad economic news and decreasing finances by sharing a bit of pain among all Ontario’s public service through his Social Contract policy. He was quickly assailed for an approach which, on reflection, was quite humane. His government went down to defeat at the hands of the Harris Tories.

Mike Harris’ approach was quite different from Mr. Rae’s. Premier Harris slashed taxes for corporations and decimated spending on social programs. Health, Education and Social Services took the brunt of his government’s axe. Nurses were laid off. Doctors left in droves for American cities, the most marginalized were made to do with less through reduced welfare availability; and municipalities took the brunt of increased spending because of the downloaded services from Mr. Harris and his neoconservative colleagues. His government too was ousted from office after several terms.

And now, after a period of unprecedented growth we are staring into the abyss of a severe recession, nearing another global depression. World markets have tumbled leaving savings at an all time low. The banking system seems to have failed in many countries, except Canada’s which did not succumb to the deregulation madness that gripped other jurisdictions, thanks to then Prime Minister Chretien’s rebuff of the international trend.

How are governments responding? At the federal level the Conservatives have instituted a massive spending budget to help stimulate the economy. The province is in the process of tightening its belt on the one hand, but also participating in stimulus spending along with the federal government. Municipalities are always the most vulnerable. They are the ones who deliver programs and have only the property tax base to go to for revenue, as well as whatever largesse the other levels of government transfer to them.

When I attended provincial mayor’s meetings, the topic of discussion always gravitated towards finances. Mayors and Regional Chairs were always petitioning senior levels of government for a greater share of the wealth created in our communities. This petitioning led to the Gas Tax contributions at the federal level and the redressing of the Social Services download at the provincial level. We always reminded the senior partners that we needed more to deliver programs in good times and to be ready for the inevitable downturn.

That time has now come. The city’s social services rolls are swelling as are the other ‘safety nets’ operated at the three levels of government: welfare, social housing, employment insurance etc. The unfortunate thing for cities is that as the economy heads south, the social assistance needs head in the opposite direction. Mix into this situation the inability to pay because of reduced dollars and the governance triage becomes truly difficult.

Hamilton’s response thus far seems to be recognizing the dilemma we face. To some extent the city is putting its eggs in the stimulus package announced in the various budgets. The provincial budget should help bring more focus to our situation, as well as the eventual decision on the yearly bailout request of social services cash.

However, as we face a looming $1Billon under-funding in capital needs, and as we have listed, but not financed, big ticket items such as the Lister building the Pan Am Stadium, the Light rail experiment and the Education Center, the new fiscal reality is asking our leaders to complete a needed priority-setting process. The question to be answered is “What do we really need; and what will enhance our economy in the future?” before we decide how to spend the $100’s of millions in the next few years.

Similarly, as we look at the billion-dollars-plus operating budget, we need to come to grips with efficiencies and real or perceived duplication, as well as a hard analysis of service levels which drive the operational side of the city’s equation. Hard questions must be asked; and even harder answers and messages must be provided if we are to survive the hard times.

I have said before that the next election will be won or lost on the question of taxes. Right now, the city is seen as being irresponsible about its spending and not serious about reining in its profligate desires. Fair or unfair, that is what people seem to be saying. Our grasp needs to be shorter than our reach so we can pursue more ambitious dreams for our city; but now is the time to also temper these wishes with a dose of cold, fiscal reality as we move through the challenging times ahead.

BACK TO LARRY'S CORNER

HOME

BLOGS

Read Chris Ecklund's Blog, Chris' Corner, right here! Chris makes frequent posts about issues of importance to Hamiltonians.

Larry's Corner- commentary and insights by former Hamilton mayor Larry Di Ianni. Exclusive to this site!
Read Larry's blog

BOOKS

Books written by Chris Ecklund Chris Ecklund has written two books about Hamilton waterfalls and their remarkable history, and commissioned the creation of supporting merchandise such as postcards and calendars. Read more and place an order here.

COMPANIES

Chris Ecklund is President and CEO of two prestigious litigation support companies and a search engine marketing firm. Read more

CURRENT PROJECTS

Chris Ecklund has commissioned and sponsored websites for the community causes and events that he supports. These include the City of Waterfalls site, Bring the NHL to Hamilton, and Maddie's Wish Project. Read more

PAST PROJECTS

Learn about causes and projects that Chris Ecklund has supported in the past, such as Ice Storm relief, Kosovo refugee sponsorship, and Operation Clean Sweep. Read more

PHOTO GALLERY

View photos of public events that Chris has sponsored or made an appearance at. Read more

LINKS OF INTEREST

View links to sites for government offices, businesses, and individuals.