Mayor Miller talks at PPCO forum

Mayor Miller talks at PPCO forum

TORONTO – City of Toronto Mayor David Miller touched on important issues of the Filipino community when he spoke as featured guest during the Philippine Press Club- Ontario (PPCO) roundtable held November 8, 2006, 6 p.m. at Cusina Restaurant.

After briefly discussing the achievements of his first term of office, and announcing his programs, he ably responded to even the most sensitive questions from the media.

In response to a police-related question, Miller said that “it’s very important to support our police,” but quickly added that it is also important to recognize that problems exist.

“Very sadly in the Jeffrey Reodica case, we learned some very important lessons,” Miller said. He revealed that at the last Police Services Board meeting, the Board had decided to bring forward the Coroner’s inquest recommendations to the Chief of Police Bill Blair. He said that the Police Chief was asked to respond to these recommendations at the Board’s next meeting. Miller also stated that it is important to ensure that there is no racial profiling,and the proper work be done in establishing good police- community relations.

On immigration

“We’re proud that in the past few weeks we signed an immigration agreement with Ottawa and Queens Park which will allow us to advocate changes to policies that will allow people to settle with more resources and to ensure that people who bring professions and trades from their homelands can actually use them in Canada. I think that’s essential in our City.”

“I’ve also advocated very strongly, and I’m going to keep up this fight that landed immigrants be allowed to vote in municipal elections. And this for the simple reason that municipal governments provide basic services that people should have a say about — child care, affordable housing, public transit, our parks and recreation programs, all of that.”

On equal opportunity for all

“Finally, there are neighbourhoods in the city that have people not getting the opportunity they should. We’ve been working very strongly with the provincial and federal governments, the United Way, and the private sector to create training, education and jobs…to ensure that everyone has a real chance.”