Is Ford a complete idiot?

[ilurkthereforiam]

He wants the gravy train to stop, but wants to build a 35,000 seat stadium for the Argos.

Where does he expect to get the money from?

[pierrelebel]

"Where does he expect to get the money from?"

Like his subway: he expects residents of the rest of Ontario and Canada to pay for it through provincial and federal taxes while maintaining no tax increase in Toronto.

[stevephinn2012]

YES!!!

Next question?

[ilurkthereforiam]

The subways I understand but not the football stadium.

All cities get money from federal and provincial governments to improve infrastucture.

[stevephinn2012]

Quebec was asking for millions for a hockey rink and there were some that thought that was OK.

[pierrelebel]

"All cities get money from federal and provincial governments to improve infrastucture."

Yes, and they are expected to contribute money (by raising taxes locally) to pay for part of it.  Ford does not want to raise taxes.  He want everyone else to pay.

The property taxes in Toronto are already so low - when compared to the rest of the province for the same value - that it is ridiculous.

Why should I and everyone else in Ontario pay twice the property tax rate Torontonians pay?

[nuvistors]

The rest of the province has subsidized Toronto for years.   It is about time  the residents of Toronto started paying their fair share of property tax.

[art-in-the-making]

Actually the Quebec City situation is as bad as it gets.

The arena cost is supposed to be $400 M. Somewhere I saw Winnipeg got similar for $120 M

Some combination of mostly city and provincial governments are putting up the cash. Part and parcel of it all,  a guy who might be described as a separatist Harpercrat (what a combination!), Pierre Karl Peladeau, set up a sweetheart deal to name, rent and run the barn in a 25-year deal. He'll pay rent of 2.5 or 4.5 M a year, depending on whether there is an NHL team. As the major shareholder of Quebecir and Sun Media, Videotron and TVA television network this deal will put Quebecor on an equal footing with Bell and Rogers should there be a team in Quebec.

Some kind of deal cooked up for Quebecor to run the joint, no doubt at an ample profit... (even if the biggest game to ever be played there is a peewee tournament)

Unbelievable when you think about it.

[prior-of-verity*shake-hands-with-your-devil]

I've never quite understood this passion, even fanaticism for certain sports, even though I played them. Many of the major sports have a violent equation to them. You never hear "lets build a massive building to teach children classical music".

But anyhow.............back to the original question. Is Ford an idiot? No, he has a narcissistic personality disorder. 

[ilurkthereforiam]

If they want to build a stadium for the Argos then I want a massive lake but so I can compete in sports fishing.

[pierrelebel]

"Is Ford an idiot? No, he has a narcissistic personality disorder. "

And that will not stop the good folks of Toronto from re-electing him next year.

And life does go on.

[stevephinn2012]

if he manages to get enough Federal and provicial money to build it without costing the Taxpayers of Toronto any money, then who are the idiots???

[ilurkthereforiam]

I just find that it is hypocritical of him to talk about the gravy train and then look for others to fund a pet project lind a football stadium for the Argos.

[pierrelebel]

Ford is a politician.  What do you expect?

[stevephinn2012]

and if he manages to get away with it--a VERY SMART man!!

[ilurkthereforiam]

I expect him to not be a hypocrite, because he has so many other faults.