Ward 27 group questions Section 37 transparency Wong-Tam stands by decision to allow political group at Pride

Duncan McDonald –

The ABC Residents Association (ABCRA) hosted its annual general meeting on Oct. 8.

The ABCRA is a non-profit group that advocates on many issues pertaining to municipal development and planning. The members are deeply concerned with the intensification of their neighbourhood as bounded by Bloor St., Yonge St., Avenue Rd. and the CPR tracks. Issues like condo development, increased traffic and maintenance of local parks and heritage sites receive a lot of their attention and resources.

Cynthia Lewis, Sam Vise and Tracy Warne were elected as directors for 2014-2015.

Part of the AGM was given over to a debate for the candidates running for councillor of Ward 27. The discussions focused mainly around city-wide development issues like allowing jets at the Island Airport, cycling lanes and the Scarborough subway expansion. There was an overwhelming support for the subway expansion among the candidates with sitting councillor Kristyn Wong-Tam supporting the proposed LRT system and Rob Wolvin advocating for a Downtown relief line.

The discussion became more heated when more local topics such as Section 37 spending and the politicization of the Pride Parade were broached.

Wong-Tam elaborated that a lot of money was being accumulated through Section 37 and was finding its way into the local communities. Jordan Stone responded strongly, expressing that those same communities were frustrated and did not see the money being used for development.

The other candidates agreed that Section 37 remains the least transparent policies within municipal politics.

Some of the candidates blasted Wong-Tam for her alleged support of the group Queers Against Israeli Apartheid and their inclusion in the Pride Parade, stating that the organization was anti-Semitic. Wong-Tam responded that she would never support any hate group. But she did emphasize that Pride is more than a cultural celebration. For her the sexual liberation movement has always been political at its core, and Pride remains an extension of that movement.

For more information, visit www.abcra.ca.