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Miller clears the air

Rating: NNNNN


ON ROAD TOLLS FOR THE DVP AND GARDINER

What Miller says: “I’m not going to impose tolls, because I said I wouldn’t [during the election]. In my view, you run to do certain things in an election. You tell people what you’re going to do and then you do it. That one I was clear about. One of the reasons we need the City Of Toronto Act from the province is that we have very limited powers on this stuff. One of the things the act will allow us to do is be a bit more creative.”

In other words: If the pressure gets really big on this one I might consider it when I run again.

ON CLOSING DOWNTOWN TO CARS DURING SMOG ADVISORIES

What Miller says: “I’m more for building our network of designated streetcar and bus lanes.”

In other words: I haven’t yet accepted that smog is an emergency, so I feel I have time to work at some of the longer-term transit issues.

ON MAKING TRANSIT FREE ON SMOG DAYS

What Miller says: “We’ve done a few things with Metropasses. Once you get a pass in people’s hands, they tend to take transit much more. That’s why I’ve focused my efforts on creating the weekly pass and making the Metropass transferable, because that makes people much more regular transit users.”

In other words: I can’t really get the energy up to confront the financial implications of waiving fares.

ON INTRODUCING A SURCHARGE ON PARKING TICKETS TO PAY FOR FREE TRANSIT ON SMOG DAYS

What Miller says: “First time I’ve heard of that idea. I don’t even know if it’s legally possible, but it’s an interesting, creative idea that’s worth considering.”

In other words: It’s an interesting, creative idea that’s worth considering.

ON BANNING ALL TRUCKS AND LARGE DIESEL-POWERED VEHICLES IN THE CORE ON SMOG DAYS

What Miller says: “I don’t know how we’d do it, but I think we really do have to look at the amount of large, diesel-powered vehicles in the core on smog days. The idea of finding a policy that addresses that makes sense to me.”

In other words: Business will howl, but I’m feeling a bit behind the curve here – think I’ll do some boning up.

ON BANNING THE USE OF GAS-POWERED LAWN AND GARDEN EQUIPMENT AND ALL CITY FUEL-FIRED STREET WORK ON SMOG DAYS

What Miller says: “We’re already trying to do that within the city. A number of the things you’re suggesting are in effect. If you’re saying the city’s smog plan should be made into bylaws to require everybody to behave, I think the situation is serious enough that we should have a very strong look at that.”

In other words: I don’t have an argument here. It sounds too reasonable.

ON MAKING IDENTIFIABLE NEIGHBOURHOOD PEDESTRIAN-ONLY ZONES

What Miller says: “The city has not abandoned its policy to set up pedestrian zones. We’re trying to create more opportunities to have car-free areas in the city more often. I think what happened with Kensington Sundays is that Kensington Market changed its mind at the last minute and therefore ran afoul of the political process. They originally didn’t want to renew the request (for pedestrian-only Sundays), then changed their minds. It’s an evolutionary plan. People like it. Businesses in some neighbourhoods are concerned. Quebec City made a whole area a pedestrian mall and it was a complete disaster. It became a very unfriendly place to go.”

In other words: There are a lot of interests to balance here. What a headache. I’m going to take my time, thank you very much.

ON EXPANDING THE BIKE NETWORK

What Miller says: “We’ve virtually doubled funding for the bike network.”

In other words: I suspect NOW doesn’t think that’s good enough.

ON SEPARATED BIKE LANES TO ENCOURAGE THOSE WHO DON’T RIDE BECAUSE THEY’RE AFRAID OF TRAFFIC

What Miller says: “I think that would only be possible where we’re reconstructing roads, but even then it would be very difficult financially. We already have a $1.1 billion deficit.”

In other words: Dream on.

ON EXCLUSIVE BIKE RIGHT-OF-WAYS ON MAJOR NORTH-SOUTH AND EAST-WEST ROUTES ON SMOG DAYS

What Miller says: “It’s an interesting idea.”

In other words: I can only imagine the mess negotiating with shopkeepers on this one.

ON INCREASING THE NUMBER OF BYLAW OFFICERS TO TICKET MOTORISTS WHO IDLE

What Miller says: “We’ll keep doing blitzes. That’ll be the approach. I haven’t read the bylaw recently, but I don’t think we’re giving a pass on very hot days, because every time I take a cab on a hot day [the drivers are] complaining about the idling bylaw.”

In other words: This is just too sticky an issue to tackle head on.

ON ASKING BUSINESSES TO ADOPT A CASUAL DRESS POLICY

What Miller says: “Businesses need to have smog plans as well. Casual dress may be part of it. Encouraging and facilitating carpooling may be another.”

In other words: It’s the least employers can do.

ON THE CITY BREAKING ITS PROMISE TO BUY 25 PER CENT OF ITS ELECTRICITY FROM GREEN POWER SOURCES LAST YEAR

What Miller says: “I’ve made some inquiries. Obviously, we need to be doing better. It’s just not good enough.”

In other words: Hell, yeah. I’m embarrassed, too.

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