David Miller (Canadian politician)

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For other people named David Miller, see David Miller (disambiguation)

David R. Miller (born December 26, 1958) is a Canadian politician. Elected in 2003, he is the 63rd mayor of the city of Toronto, Ontario, and second of the merged megacity. He is the first Toronto mayor to be formally affiliated with the left-wing New Democratic Party (other mayors have had ties to the NDP, but have never been members). He succeeded former North York and Toronto mayor Mel Lastman.

File:David Miller with veteran.jpg
David Miller (left, wearing the Mayor's Chain of Office) marching with veteran Gene Dorotheo Sr. in Toronto's March of Remembrance.

Background

Miller was born in San Francisco, California, USA. His American father, Joe Miller, died of cancer in 1960, at which time his English mother Joan returned with her son to Thriplow, south of Cambridge.[1] Miller spent his formative years in England, and returned to Canada with his mother in 1967. He attended Lakefield College School on a scholarship at the same time Prince Andrew was a student.[2]

Miller completed a four-year undergraduate degree at Harvard University, where he graduated magna cum laude in Economics. He then earned a Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of Toronto Law School. Before entering political life, he was a partner at the prominent Toronto law firm Aird & Berlis for ten years, specializing in employment and immigration law and shareholder rights.[3] He married fellow lawyer Jill Arthur in 1986, and the pair have two children.

Miller is well known as a social activist and for being on the left-wing of the political spectrum. He supports the New Democratic Party (NDP), and has a picture of Tommy Douglas upon the wall of his office.[4] He lost a parliamentary election in Parkdale—High Park as a federal NDP candidate in 1993, and narrowly lost a provincial by-election in York South—Weston in 1996 as a candidate of the New Democratic Party of Ontario in a bid to succeed the departing Bob Rae. The winner on the latter occasion was Liberal Gerard Kennedy, who later became the provincial Minister of Education.

Councillor

Miller first ran for the Municipality of Metropolitan Toronto council in 1991, but lost to rival candidate Derwyn Shea. He ran again in 1994 after Shea's retirement from council, and was elected. One of his opponents on the latter occasion was Tony Clement, later a provincial and federal cabinet minister. He was elected to the new City of Toronto council in 1997, and was returned for Ward 13 (Parkdale-High Park) in 2000 over fellow city councillor Bill Saundercook, a Mel Lastman ally who would later take over Miller's seat in the 2003 election.

In the November 2000 issue of Toronto Life magazine, he was given an A+ in a list of Toronto city councillors, described as "the best of the bunch, hands down."[5] Although a relative unknown in Toronto until his candidacy for mayor, Miller led the push to expose Toronto's MFP computer leasing scandal.[6]

Major city committees and agencies he served on include the Administration Committee, the Humber York Community Council, the Ethics Steering Committee, the Immigration and Refugee Issues Working Group, Labour Relations Advisory Panel, the Oak Ridges Moraine Steering Committee, and the Toronto Transit Commission.[7]

Mayor

In the 2003 mayoral election, Miller's primary campaign promise distinguishing him from his competitors was his pledge to block a proposed $22 million bridge to replace ferry services to the Toronto City Centre Airport. He argued that the bridge was symptomatic of a political culture at City Hall that put the interests of developers and lobbyists ahead of the public. Miller used a broom as a prop in this campaign, symbolizing his commitment to cleaning up Toronto both literally, in terms of litter, and metaphorically, referring to the shady dealings at City Hall.[8]

Miller's campaign organization in the 2003 election was diverse. Although he received support from New Democrats and social activists, his top campaign strategists included veteran Conservatives such as John Laschinger and Liberals such as Peter Donolo. He has described himself as a political centrist.[9]

Bridge and airport policy

Soon after his election, Miller led council to reverse its previous support for the Toronto City Centre Airport bridge. He argued that the bridge was detrimental to the regional environment, was unwanted by most local residents, and would prevent a more comprehensive renewal of the waterfront economy. Supporters of the bridge argued that it would make airline service more efficient, and would provide a financial benefit to the city. The vote, held on December 3, 2003, was 32-12 in favour of withdrawal.[10] There were subsequent threats of legal action against the City by the Toronto Port Authority and developer Robert Deluce, but these were settled in 2005 when the federal government agreed to pay $35 million in compensation. Shortly after the settlement, Miller announced that he would seek the repayment of $27 million in back taxes from the Port Authority to the city.[11]

The cost of the federal payout was controversial among both supporters and opponents of Miller's government. Liberal Member of Parliament (MP) Tony Ianno, who defended the settlement as providing fair compensation to those with legitimate claims, also argued that it invalidated Miller's promise that the bridge could be cancelled without incurring additional expenses.[12] Miller's allies, including NDP leader Jack Layton, responded by arguing that the federal payout was overly generous, and did not reflect the true costs of cancellation.[13]

In early 2006, Deluce announced plans to construct up to twenty planes in the Downsview area of Toronto in an apparent bid to expand the island airport service. This plan has proven to be extremely controversial in the city. Opponents of expansion argue that increased flight services will result in greater noise pollution for downtown residents, as well as preventing other economies from flourishing in the waterfront region. Miller has argued that the city may soon have to face the choice of "an industrial or revitalized waterfront".[14] Some supporters of expansion have suggested this is a false dichotomy, and have argued that expansion can be integrated with a larger revitalization plan.[15] Deluce's proposal has won support from both business interests and Canadian Auto Workers leader Buzz Hargrove, who has argued it will create new jobs for workers in the region.[16] A Toronto Star report from early February 2006 indicates that most Toronto residents oppose expansion.[17]

The bridge and airport debates are reflective of a more general division between Miller's supporters and the Toronto Port Authority, a federal body created by Liberal MP Dennis Mills, who had his own plans for waterfront revitalization and who is widely considered an opponent of Miller. The city has no direct control over the Port Authority, and can do little to block its airport policy[18]. In early 2006, longtime Miller ally Olivia Chow called for the newly-elected Conservative government of Stephen Harper to turn control of the Authority to the city.[19]

Police policy (2004)

After assuming office, Miller became involved in the long-standing and polarizing debates over Toronto's police budget. Previous councils had approved large increases, and the force's 2004 request was for $691.4 million, an increase of $57 million from the previous year.[20] After a lengthy and sometimes heated debate, the council approved $679.1 million on April 21, 2004.[21] In the course of these discussions, police chief Julian Fantino argued that the city's initial budget plans (later revised) would jeopardize essential services.[22]

Apart from the budget debate, the content of Miller's police policy was also controversial. His plans for community outreach programs in neighbourhoods affected by crime were opposed by some police and councillors as ineffective against serious criminals.[23]

Fantino, whose relationship with Miller was cool at best, apologized to the mayor after discovering that an article criticizing his policies had been posted to the official police service website.[24]

A separate controversy developed later in the year. A serious police corruption scandal unfolded in April 2004, in which a small number of officers were charged with aiding figures connected to the Hell's Angels biker gang.[25] On April 29, Miller was overheard saying "Is your police force in jail? Mine is" in a private aside to the Lord Mayor of London, who was in Toronto to announce a new partnership between the cities. Miller later explained that he was introducing the scandal to his guest after an awkward press scrum, which the Lord Mayor left following several questions about the local controversy. He also apologized for his comment, saying "[t]he allegations are serious and I shouldn't have referred to them with humour".

After the mayor's initial comment, Julian Fantino was quoted on the CablePulse 24 program The Chief as saying, "I feel like someone has driven a stake through my heart". He later accepted Miller's apology, and issued a press release on April 30 saying, "The matter is now over".[26] Despite extensive discussion in media outlets such as the Toronto Sun and CFRB radio, the controversy did not hurt Miller's popularity. A public opinion poll taken shortly after the comment showed him with an 82% approval rating.[27]

In June 2004, the deadlocked Toronto Police Services Board voted not to renew Fantino's contract as chief. The following month, city council rejected a motion from Fantino's supporters which could have overturned the decision. After Miller turned down calls for a formal debate, some Fantino supporters on council accused him of acting in an undemocratic manner. The mayor's position was that such a debate would have violated the Police Services Act.[28]

Some journalists have speculated that Miller played an influential role in the board's decision to remove Fantino, notwithstanding the mayor's official denial.[29] Ontario Finance Minister Greg Sorbara was also critical, saying that Miller "has to assume officially the responsibility" for Fantino's contract not being renewed, and should "not keep pretending that he has nothing to do with it".[30] Some of Fantino's supporters tried to establish a protest movement in support of the dismissed chief, though this was largely unsuccessful.[31]

When the council voted to uphold Fantino's removal, the right-wing Toronto Sun tabloid ran a cartoon comparing Miller to Adolf Hitler over his handling of the issue. Miller described the cartoon as "despicable", and it was also condemned by a representative of the Canadian Jewish Congress. The paper's editor refused to apologize.[32]

Police policy (2005)

In March 2005, Miller asked the Police Services Board to be granted a participatory role in the selection of the next police chief. He argued that he could provide "a voice that represents all Torontonians rather than that of a particular stakeholder", and claimed he would recuse himself from formal deliberations and the final decision. Board member Case Ootes argued that it amounted to political interference, and said there was "some contradiction" between the request and Miller's earlier refusal to engage in public debate over Fantino's removal.[33] The Board turned down Miller's request.

Fantino was replaced on a temporary basis by Mike Boyd, a retired deputy chief who had worked closely with Miller when the latter was still a councillor.[34] In April 2005, the board chose Bill Blair as Fantino's permanent replacement. There was some media speculation that the mayor's office favoured the more left-leaning Boyd for the position, though Miller has denied this.[35]

Miller awarded Fantino, who had been appointed Ontario's Commissioner of Emergency Management, with the Key to the City on April 14, 2005. Many journalists interpreted this as an attempt to bury previous hostilities. Miller described Fantino at the ceremony as "a man of integrity who has done tremendous work to help keep Toronto safe".[36]

Miller announced in August 2005 that Toronto would hire an additional 150 police officers in 2006. This announcement followed an increase in shooting fatalities throughout the summer of 2005, and occurred against a backdrop of increased concern about gang-related violence in the city. In making the announcement, Miller also called on the Toronto business community to create more job opportunities for disaffected youth. Some councillors, including Michael Thompson, have argued that Miller had waited too long before reacting to reports of increased violence. Case Ootes praised the initiative to hire more officers, but expressed doubt that Miller would follow through on it.[37]

Later in the same month, Miller dismissed a proposal from Thompson to allow city police officials to stop young black men in areas of high violence.[38] It should be noted that Thompson is himself black, and rejected the idea soon after suggesting it.[39] A poll taken by Ipsos-Reid in October 2005 gave Police Chief Bill Blair and the Toronto Police Services a C average grade, followed by community leaders (C-), Mayor David Miller (D+), City Council (D), The Attorney General of Ontario (D), and the Judges and Justices of the Peace (D-)[40].

The Police Services Board's initial strategy for hiring new officers was strongly opposed by the Toronto Police Association. The board, led by Pam McConnell, wanted to raise the necessary revenues by clawing back existing rates of retention pay and eliminating lunch-hour pay for officers on inactive duty[41]. The police association criticized the proposals as reigniting an exodus of officers and forcing officers to work an additional 40 hours[42]. After a series of acrimonious meetings, negotiations broke down in late 2005 and the association entered a work-to-rule campaign, refusing to patrol or hand out fines.[43]

During the course of this dispute, the association printed full-page advertisements in the Toronto Star and Toronto Sun, asking the mayor to become personally involved through his role as a board member.[44] The association issued an open letter asked if he wanted to be remembered "as the mayor who was tough on crime, or the mayor who was tough on cops".[45] On October 31, Miller informed the media that he was working to bring both sides together.[46]

Later negotiations were more productive, and a tentative deal was signed in early November with reports indicating that the board had compromised on retention pay. One published report suggests that Ralph Lean, a leading Miller fundraiser, played an instrumental role in ending the dispute through private negotiations with former association head Craig Bromell.[47]

Transit policy

Miller is a strong supporter of the Toronto Transit Commission, the city's public transit system. He has endorsed the creation of a controversial streetcar right-of-way through St. Clair Avenue, a six-lane arterial within the city. Supporters of the proposal argue that it will make public transit more efficient, and set an important precedent for public transit expansion in the city. The plan has been opposed by local businesses, as it will reduce customer parking and potentially harm stores that rely upon affluent customers for revenue.[48] Other opponents, including the Canadian Automobile Association[49] have argued that the right-of-way will increase automobile congestion, as the proposal bans a left-turns and will likely divert some traffic to neighborhood streets. Supporters have questioned this claim, pointing to the success of a previous right-of-way implemented on Spadina Avenue.[50].

A local residents' group called Save-Our-St. Clair (SOS) took the case to the Ontario Superior Court in 2005, and a panel ruling in October forced a halt to the project.[51] The city later cited a potential bias on the part of one of the judges, and asked that this ruling be discarded. The panel subsequently voted 2-1 to recuse themselves in early November, thereby overturning the previous ruling.[52] On February 21, 2006, the Ontario Divisional Court ruled against the SOS, giving the city authority to proceed with the project.

Miller was more successful in his push to implement the Ridership Growth Strategy, a plan which aims to increase ridership and reduce overcrowding on the TTC.[53] Phase One is currently in implementation, while later phases will have to wait until funding is allocated. Miller also took part in negotiations with the federal and provincial governments in 2004, which saw one billion dollars in additional funding allocated for the cash-strapped TTC over five years.TTC

Fiscal policy

In late 2005, Miller endorsed a policy which shifted a portion of the property tax burden in Toronto from businesses and commercial operators to homeowners. Acknowledging that this was a difficult decision, Miller argued that it was necessary to prevent an exodus of jobs from the city. The decision was endorsed by the Toronto Industry Network.[54]

Miller clashed with Toronto Board of Trade President and CEO Glen Grunwald at a February 2006 budgetary consulation meeting, after Grunwald presented a number of policy measures designed to cut Toronto's budget expenditures, to solve a budget shortfall of around $212 million. The Board of Trade's presentation was one of only three out of thirty-seven at the consultation meeting which advocated spending cuts. Grunwald's recommendations included reducing spending on non-priority items, increasing user fees, privatizing some services and implementing approximately 800 recommendations from the auditor general.[55] Miller criticized the suggestions as "poorly researched", and said that the Board of Trade presentation "didn't befit they role the have as city builders." Toronto Star columnist Royson James criticized Miller as disproportionately harsh and potentially alienating some business interests.[56]

Miller has argued that cost downloads implemented by the Mike Harris government in the 1990s have burdened his government with disproportionately high costs for housing and social services, and has asked the provincial government of Dalton McGuinty to re-asumme responsibility for some of these expenses. Provincial politicians has shown some sympathy to this position, but they criticized the "single-minded focus [on provincial uploading] as a way to mask Toronto's reluctance to get tough on itself", noting that a fiscal self-examination was overdue while new programs were constantly being added instead of curbing spending[57].

The Canadian Taxpayers Federation, a conservative organization promoting lower levels of taxation, has criticized Miller for his spending policies.[58] They proposed a reduction in cultural spending in favour of filling potholes and hiring more police[59]. Jane Pitfield, Miller's only declared opponent for 2006, has promised to hold off on future tax increases and has adopted the slogan, "Always think like a taxpayer".[60]

Garbage disposal policy

When Miller was elected mayor, Toronto's garbage had for several years been shipped to a landfill in Michigan, USA through a contract with the firm Republic Services. This arrangement has been criticized by politicians in both Michigan and Ontario, and opponents of the contract have argued that it may not be sustainable. Some politicians in Michigan have attempted to block the garbage shipments through legislation.[61]

Miller opposed John Tory's alternate proposal for local incineration during the 2003 election, citing both cost concerns and a threat to the environment.[62] In 2005, he led the city in renewing its contract with Republic.[63]

Some municipal politicians from smaller communities in and around the Greater Toronto Area have expressed concern that they could be required to store Toronto's garbage. In 2004, Miller met with a group of small-town mayors known as the Southwest Ontario Trash Coalition, and assured them that the city's contract with Republic guarantees against this option. A newspaper report of the meeting indicates that if the Michigan site becomes inaccessible, Republic is required to find alternative American locations.[64]

Toronto has also expanded its Green Bin recycling program under Miller's watch, a composting project designed to reduce the amount of waste that Toronto ships to landfills. The project was initiated in Etobicoke in 2002, Scarborough joined in June 2003, and the other areas of Toronto have been added since Miller's election as mayor. Green Bin became city-wide in October 2005 when North York was included in the program. In marking the achievement, Miller described Toronto as "a North American leader in recycling and composting programs".[65]


Popularity

Despite increased media scrutiny throughout 2005, Miller remains popular in Toronto. A Strategic Council poll issued on November 9, 2005 shows him with a 69% approval rating.[66] Part of this success can perhaps be attributed to his attempts to reach out to ordinary residents, such as his monthly hour-long appearances on Toronto's local news station CP24 to answer questions from viewers.

Preceded by
Mel Lastman
1998–2003
Mayor of Toronto
since 2003
Succeeded by
Incumbent

Electoral record

Municipal politics

Election for Mayor, City of Toronto, 2003 municipal election. 1926 of 1926 Polls Reporting
Candidate Total votes % of total votes
David Miller 299,385 43.26%
John Tory 263,189 38.03%
Barbara Hall 63,751 9.21%
John Nunziata 36,021 5.20%
Tom Jakobek 5,277 0.76%
others . .
Total valid votes 692,085 100.00

For full results, see Results of 2003 Toronto election.

Ward 13, Council, 2000 Toronto election
Candidate Total votes % of total votes
(x)David Miller 11,274 61.71
(x)Bill Saundercook 6,995 38.29
Total valid votes 18,269 100.00
Ward 19, Council, 1997 Toronto election (two members)
Candidate Total votes % of total votes
(x)David Miller 13,665(E) 27.64
(x)Chris Korwin-Kuczynski 13,115(E) 26.53
Connie Dejak 8,267 16.72
David Hutcheon 7,437 15.04
Alex Chumak 3,931 7.95
Ed Hooven 1,336 2.70
Walter Melnyk 1,085 2.19
Jorge Van Schouwen 599 1.21
Total valid votes 49,435 100.00

Electors could vote for two candidates in the 1997 election.
The percentages are determined in relation to the total number of votes.

Ward 19, Metro Toronto Council, 1994 Toronto election
Candidate Total votes % of total votes
David Miller 7,950 38.03
Andrew Witer 6,845 32.74
Tony Clement 4,722 22.59
Caryl Manning 1,390 6.65
Total valid votes 20,907 100.00
High Park, Metro Toronto Council, 1991 Toronto election
Candidate Total votes % of total votes
(x)Derwyn Shea 13,706 58.75
David Miller 8,079 34.63
Kaqoob Khan 1,544 6.62
Total valid votes 23,329 100.00

The 1991 results are taken from a Toronto Star newspaper report on November 13, 1991, with 192 of 196 polls having reported. The final results were not significantly different. All other municipal results are taken from official summaries made available by the City of Toronto.

Provincial and federal politics

Template:Canadian politics/party colours/Liberal/row
Ontario provincial by-election, May 23, 1996: York South
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Gerard Kennedy 7,774 39.22

Template:Canadian politics/party colours/NDP/row

New Democratic Party David Miller 6,656 33.58

Template:Canadian politics/party colours/Progressive Conservatives/row

Progressive Conservative Rob Davis 5,093 25.69

Template:Canadian politics/party colours/Independents/row

Independent David Milne 151 0.76

Template:Canadian politics/party colours/Libertarian/row

Libertarian George Dance 77 0.39

Template:Canadian politics/party colours/Independents/row

Independent Kevin Mark Clarke 70 0.35
Total valid votes 19,821 100.00
Rejected, unmarked and declined ballots 264
Turnout 20,085 51.38
Template:Canadian politics/party colours/Liberal/row
1993 federal election: Parkdale—High Park
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal (x)Jesse Flis 22,358 54.36

Template:Canadian politics/party colours/Reform/row

Reform Lee Primeau 6,647 16.16

Template:Canadian politics/party colours/Progressive Conservatives/row

Progressive Conservative Don Baker 5,668 13.78

Template:Canadian politics/party colours/NDP/row

New Democratic Party David Miller 3,855 9.37

Template:Canadian politics/party colours/National/row

National Stephen A. Biega 1,320 3.21

Template:Canadian politics/party colours/Green/row

Green Richard Roy 430 1.05

Template:Canadian politics/party colours/Natural Law/row

Natural Law Wanda Beaver 371 0.90

Template:Canadian politics/party colours/Libertarian/row

Libertarian Haig Baronikian 264 0.64

Template:Canadian politics/party colours/Independents/row

Ind. (Communist) Miguel Figueroa 105 0.26

Template:Canadian politics/party colours/Abolitionist/row

Abolitionist Thomas Earl Pennington 60 0.15

Template:Canadian politics/party colours/Marxist-Leninist/row

Marxist-Leninist André Vachon 53 0.13
Total valid votes 41,131 100.00
Rejected, unmarked and declined ballots 416
Turnout 41,547 66.37

The provincial electoral data is taken from Elections Ontario, and the federal data from Elections Canada.

Notes and sources

  1. ^ Michael Posner, "Miller time?", Globe and Mail, 8 November 2003, M1.
  2. ^ 125th Anniversary Commemorative Edition (Lakefield)
  3. ^ Posner, "Miller time?".
  4. ^ http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/ArticleNews/TPStory/LAC/20041022/CITYHALL22/TPNational/Toronto
  5. ^ Toronto Life, November 2000. The relevant section of the article is quoted on this website.
  6. ^ Jack Lakey, "Council to probe lease deal", Toronto Star, 16 January 2002, A01.
  7. ^ http://www.davidmiller.org/aboutdavidcommittees.asp
  8. ^ Royson James, "There's a new sheriff in town", Toronto Star, 11 November 2003, A01.
  9. ^ Linda Diebel, "Miller: A candidate 'clear on who he is'", Toronto Star, 11 October 2003, A01.
  10. ^ Vanessa Lu, "Decision puts ball in Ottawa's court", Toronto Star, 4 December 2003, A01.
  11. ^ John Spears, "Port settlement gets mayor's eye", Toronto Star, 5 May 2005, B05.
  12. ^ John Barber, "Toronto's own Bridge of Sighs", Globe and Mail, 4 May 2005, A17.
  13. ^ John Barber, "Stop this plane, we want to get off", Globe and Mail, 4 February 2006, M1.
  14. ^ Jennifer Lewington, "Plane order reignites island-airport feud", Globe and Mail, 2 February 2006. [67]
  15. ^ "It's smart to expand Toronto's island airport", Globe and Mail, 3 February 2006, A16.
  16. ^ Gabe Gonda, "Airline launches into protests", Toronto Star, 3 February 2006, B01.
  17. ^ Christopher Hume, "Snatching defeat from the jaws of victory", Toronto Star, 4 February 2006, B01.
  18. ^ John Barber, "Politicians muddy waterfront squabble", Globe and Mail, 5 May 1998, A10.
  19. ^ John Barber, "Stop this plane", Globe and Mail, 4 February 2006, M1.
  20. ^ Kerry Gillespie, "The high price of law and order", Toronto Star, 21 February 2004, B04.
  21. ^ Catherine Porter and Paul Moloney, "$679 million police budget passes muster", Toronto Star, 22 April 2004, B05.
  22. ^ James Cowan, "Reducing police budget could endanger city, Fantino warns", National Post, 19 February 2004, A9.
  23. ^ James Cowan, 'Group hug' not enough: councillor", National Post, 25 February 2004, A14/front.
  24. ^ Katherine Harding, "Mayor gets Fantino's apology", Globe and Mail, 21 February 2004, A18.
  25. ^ Allan Woods and Shannon Kari, "Four Toronto officers charged with corruption", National Post, 27 April 2004, A2.
  26. ^ Peter Kuitenbrouwer, "Miller apologizes for joking about police", National Post, 1 May 2004, A8.
  27. ^ Katherine Harding, "Miller's approval rating sky-high, poll show", Globe and Mail, 13 May 2004, A13.
  28. ^ Katherine Harding, "Council won't budge on Fantino", Globe and Mail, 22 July 2004, A8.
  29. ^ Rosie DiManno, "Miller should fess up on role in chief's ouster", Toronto Star, 26 July 2004, A02.
  30. ^ http://www.nowtoronto.com/issues/2004-07-08/news_story2.php.
  31. ^ Katherine Harding, "Support for Fantino ‘tepid,' poll finds", Globe and Mail, 18 August 2004, A8.
  32. ^ Katherine Harding, "Hitler cartoon is ‘despicable,' Miller says", Globe and Mail, 24 July 2004, A9.
  33. ^ James Cowan, "Mayor denied role in hiring police chief", National Post, 9 March 2005, A10.
  34. ^ Linda Diebel, "Looking for a police chief most perfect", Toronto Star, 20 February 2005, A05.
  35. ^ Joe Friesen, "Blair noses out Boyd as new police chief", 7 April 2005, A1.
  36. ^ "Former top cop's work to keep city safe rewarded with key to Toronto", National Post, 15 April 2005, A13.
  37. ^ Vanessa Lu, "Create jobs for youth to curb violence, Miller urges", Toronto Star, 16 August 2005, A18.
  38. ^ "Toronto Rejects Contentious Idea To Curb Gun Violence", Dow Jones International News, 17 August 2005, 16:54 report.
  39. ^ Royson James, "Politician sorry remark backfired", Toronto Star, 26 August 2005, F01.
  40. ^ Nicholas Kohler, "66% back curfew for children, National Post, 26 October 2005, A1/front.
  41. ^ Melissa Leong, "Police to begin job action", National Post, 12 October 2005, A9/front.
  42. ^ Unnati Gandhi, "Don't wear uniforms at rally, Blair says", Globe and Mail, 2 November 2005, A17.
  43. ^ http://www.torontocopsaretops.ca/index.cfm?pid=15403
  44. ^ http://www.canada.com/national/nationalpost/news/toronto/story.html?id=24078b8e-6af9-4e70-9969-948379781cd4
  45. ^ Jennifer Lewington and Oliver Moore, "Hope glimmers in police talks", Globe and Mail, 1 November 2005, A14. See also [68]
  46. ^ John Duncanson and Tracy Huffman, "Police contract costs city $60M", Toronto Star, 9 November 2005, A01.
  47. ^ Kevin McGran, "Streetcar plan getting rough ride", Toronto Star, 14 April 2004, B03.
  48. ^ http://www.torontoalliance.ca/urban_challenges/regional_transportation/articles.asp?articleID=156
  49. ^ http://www.eye.net/eye/issue/issue_10.20.05/op/editorial.html
  50. ^ Unnati Gandhi, "Panel puts brakes on streetcar plan", Globe and Mail, 12 October 2005, A14.
  51. ^ Jennifer Lewington and Oliver Moore, "City can seek new hearing over St. Clair streetcar line", Globe and Mail, 4 November 2005, A1.
  52. ^ Kevin McGran, "Getting back to a better way", Toronto Star, 4 June 2005, E04.
  53. ^ Jennifer Lewington, "$1-billion for TTC seen as shot in arm", Globe and Mail, 30 March 2004, A7.
  54. ^ Jennifer Lewington, "Council gives green light to tax hike", Globe and Mail, 29 October 2005, A21.
  55. ^ Tasha Kheiriddin, "'New deal' needs closer scrutiny", Toronto Star, 28 June 2005, A15.
  56. ^ "Jane Pitfield to take on Miller", CTV Toronto, 29 November 2005, 19:52 report. [69]
  57. ^ Paul Moloney, "City, board of trade clash on budget", Toronto Star, 17 February 2006. [70].
  58. ^ Royson James, "How to lose a business friend", Toronto Star, 17 February 2006. [71] See also David Nickle, "Mayor changes tune on public's right to say", Inside Toronto, 23 February 2006. [72]
  59. ^ Jennifer Lewington, "McGuinty, city officials set to discuss ‘budget gap'", Globe and Mail, 20 February 2006, A10.
  60. ^ http://cbc.ca/cgi-bin/templates/view.cgi?category=World&story=/news/2001/03/09/to_trash010309
  61. ^ Jack Lakey, "Waste disposal fires up debate", Toronto Star, 5 November 2003, A07.
  62. ^ John Barber, "Sanity prevails as council renews garbage contract", Globe and Mail, 19 May 2005, A12.
  63. ^ John Barber, "Everyone's jumping on the garbage bandwagon", Globe and Mail, 10 August 2004.
  64. ^ http://wx.toronto.ca/inter/it/newsrel.nsf/0/6a831b9f5e6fb376852570a6004c78a9?OpenDocument
  65. ^ Jennifer Lewington, "David Miller passing the test", Globe and Mail, 10 November 2005, A18.

Some information is taken from Miller's biography page on the Mayor of Toronto website, available here.