Additional policy positions and views of THE TORONTO PARTY.

• Mayor Miller and his supporters have imposed a new garbage collection scheme for the City. We are opposed to the new garbage scheme since it merely represents another tax grab on residents and places an unfair burden on large families. We believe that the new garbage collection scheme will result in higher administration costs and more government bureaucracy. If the Mayor is serious about reform in the area of garbage collection, he must permit the contracting out of garbage pick up throughout Toronto and permit an open debate on the introduction of waste-to-energy facilities in Toronto.

• We support an open tendering process with respect to the operation and management of Casa Loma

• We support the efforts of area residents opposed to the narrowing of Lansdowne Avenue, between Bloor St. West and College St.

• We support the efforts of community residents in the Don Mills area who are trying to preserve the character of their community. You can visit their fight at www.DonMillsFriends.org.

• We support the efforts of community residents in Scarborough who are fighting City Hall to preserve a 5-acre woodlot that is home to a variety of plant and animal life against development. Although Mayor Millers talks about preserving green space and the environment, with respect to this piece of land, he has been dubbed by The Toronto Sun as "Chainsaw Miller". For more information about the fight of the Manse Valley Community Association, please visit www.wood-green-ravine.ca.

•  The party questions the efficacy of the City to ban the use of plastic bags or to charge businesses for the use of plastic bags. The City's position on this issue has not been clearly articulated. Studies show that grocery bags do not cause litter problems since they are recycled for home use. Studies also show that alternatives such as a return to paper bags would lead to more environmental pollution because of the processes involved in the paper industry. In addition, levies already exist on plastic bags to help pay for the Blue Box program. In Mississauga, a local businessman recycles plastic bags for resale. Currently his demand is higher than the supply.

• We oppose any move toward banning the use of gas-powered or electric powered lawn mowers and leaf blowers. A proposed ban on the use of these garden tools to permit residents and commercial businesses to maintain their properties is absurd and contrary to the best interests of maintaining a healthy and beautiful city.

• We are also monitoring the issue of licensing fees on landlords. Our preliminary view is that such a feee in unnecessary and that it will be harmful to tenants. A better solution would be to enforce the laws that currently exists.