Time to Amalgamate GTHA Transit Authorities and Systems.

In the face of a persistent transportation crisis in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area (GTHA), it is evident that the current fragmented and politically influenced transit system is unable to meet the growing demands of our communities. This proposal advocates for the amalgamation of all GTHA public transit authorities into a robust Regional Transit Authority, aiming to establish a streamlined, efficient, and impartial approach to transit planning, funding, and operations.

Current Challenges:

Metrolinx, as a Provincial agency, faces inherent biases in its funding decisions, which are exclusively determined by the Province. Over the past four decades, various political parties and career politicians across all levels of government have failed to effectively manage and fund our transportation infrastructure. The absence of GTHA city Mayors on Metrolinx's Board further hampers the agency's ability to coordinate regional transit needs adequately.

Proposal for Amalgamation:

The proposed GTHA Regional Transit Authority would bring together the operations and systems of GO, TTC, Halton, Peel, York, Durham, and HSR into a unified and strategically managed entity. This amalgamation would facilitate a cohesive and integrated approach to addressing the region's diverse transit challenges.

Representative Board Structure:

The Regional Transit Authority's Board of Directors must include elected representatives from various levels of government to ensure balanced decision-making. This includes two representatives each from the Province and the Federal government, as well as Mayors from key cities like Mississauga and Toronto. Additionally, elected representatives from Halton, Peel, York, Durham, and the Mayor of Hamilton would contribute to comprehensive regional oversight.

Leadership Qualifications:

The CEO and COO leading the Regional Transit Authority should possess professional qualifications in transportation gained from both private and public transportation systems globally. This ensures a leadership team with the expertise required to navigate the complexities of regional transit planning and operations.

Dedicated Funding through Corporate Levy:

To secure lasting financial commitment for public transit, a dedicated 1% or 2% transit levy on corporations is proposed. This funding stream, backed by legislation from both provincial and federal governments, will exclusively finance transit initiatives, ensuring a stable and reliable source of funds to address the region's transit needs.

Conclusion:

Amalgamating GTHA's transit authorities into a Regional Transit Authority with a representative and expert leadership structure, coupled with a dedicated corporate levy, will empower our transit system to evolve and meet the challenges of the future. It is time for a transformative approach that prioritizes seamless regional integration, efficient operations, and sustainable funding to build a transit system that truly serves the people of the GTHA, in my view.

Child Prostitution and 'Slavery' Crisis at the US Border

Over half (51.6%) of the criminal human trafficking cases active in the U.S. were sex trafficking cases involving only children.

In the U.S., child trafficking is aggravated by four main factors: the porous southern border, predatory social media use, pornography, and broken families

The Biden administration must follow existing laws and seal our porous southern border. Much more must be done, but that is a critical first step.

The facts are frightening:

• On average, a child enters the U.S. sex trade at 12 to 14 years old. Many are runaway girls who were sexually abused as children.
• Most of the time, victims are trafficked by someone they know, such as a friend, family member, or romantic partner.
• Predators can rent a child for a single sex act for an average of $90. Often, that child is forced to have sex 20 times per day, six days a week.
• Trafficking usually occurs in hotels, motels, online websites, and truck stops in the U.S.
• About 50,000 people, primarily from Mexico and the Philippines, are trafficked into the U.S. annually.
• According to the Federal Human Trafficking Report, “In 2018, over half (51.6%) of the criminal human trafficking cases active in the U.S. were sex trafficking cases involving only children.”
• Traffickers use social media platforms to recruit and advertise victims of human trafficking, according to anti-trafficking advocates.

The USA Southern Border

The crisis at the southern border is directly linked to an increase in child trafficking in the United States. In April, a whistleblower told Congress’ House Judiciary Committee that the “United States federal government has become the ‘middleman’ in a multibillion-dollar human trafficking operation targeting unaccompanied minors at the southern border.”

In May, U.S. Customs and Border Protection encountered an average of 435 unaccompanied minors per day. One study suggests that drug cartels and traffickers will exploit 60% of these children in prostitution, forced labour, and child pornography. To make matters worse, in June alone, the Biden administration released 344 kids to non-related adults in the U.S.—most of whom already had multiple children in their care. These children are prime targets for traffickers—for sex or labour.

Notably, half of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s “most wanted” criminals for child trafficking are from Mexico.

Statistics of Human Trafficking Worldwide

Human trafficking statistics reveal a very sad reality for many individuals. Behind every stat is a person – someone’s mother, father, brother or sister. These stats provide insight into the severity of the issue. 

• Today, there are 49.6 million people in modern slavery worldwide, and 12 million of them are children. (ILO, United Nations)
• 54% of those trapped in modern slavery are women and girls. (ILO)
• Sex trafficking is the most common type of trafficking in the U.S. (Polaris) 
• There were 88 million child sexual abuse material (CSAM) files reported to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) tip line in 2022. 
• Child sex trafficking has been reported in all 50 U.S. states. (NCMEC) 
• Human trafficking is a $150 billion industry. (UNICEF) 
• Human trafficking is the second most profitable illegal industry in the U.S. (UNICEF)

https://ourrescue.org/education/research-and-trends/human-trafficking-statistics

https://www.cbp.gov/frontline/border-crisis-cbp-fights-child-exploitation

https://www.foxnews.com/video/6345280433112

https://www.heritage.org/crime-and-justice/commentary/us-top-destination-child-sex-trafficking-and-its-happening-your

https://www.aei.org/op-eds/the-10-worst-things-biden-did-in-2021/

Public Protests and Civil Disobedience

Masked protesters during demonstrations must be outlawed, labelled as shirkers, idlers, attempted wreckers of democracy and considered as a possible terrorist action under the criminal code.

The issue of masked protesters during demonstrations raises significant concerns, necessitating a thoughtful approach that balances public safety with the right to peaceful assembly. Acts of violence and disruption by individuals within student unions have become a growing concern in the USA, Canada, and Europe.

Instances of masked hooliganism, where protesters storm intersections, bridges, airports, or other public and private properties, are indeed unlawful and criminal. It is crucial to address these actions as acts of violence against the community, residents, students, and public or private property.

While acknowledging the right to express dissent, it is equally important to differentiate between peaceful demonstrators and those engaging in criminal behaviour. Acts of domestic terror, involving violence to coerce or intimidate for political or social objectives, must be treated as serious criminal offences, and prosecuted accordingly.

Gangs of masked political activists and hooligan student union protesters storming and disrupting, intersections, bridges, airports or other public or private property and university classes are an unlawful and criminal act of violence against the community, residents, students and public or private property.

In the USA, Canada and across Europe these increasing acts of lawlessness by delinquent juveniles and socially harmful elements with the student union membership have been dangerously increasing and continue unabated by politicians, law enforcement and the courts within the justice system.

These increasing acts of attempted domestic terror by masked criminal perpetrators from within student unions by professional protesters, hooligans, vicious fascists, and other socially harmful elements within the student body across Canada must no longer be condoned by our politicians and appointed judges.

Such lawlessness must not continue to be referred to by today’s socialistic mainstream media as mischievous pranks, a hoax, or amusing acts by likable scoundrel scamps.

This anti-social behaviour by such undesirable elements within or outside of the membership of the student unions must be labelled for what they realistically represent.

Acts of Domestic Terror using violence against persons or property to coerce or intimidate the student body, the government and or the civilian population in furtherance of political or social objectives.

They are villainous enemies of student unions and hostilely dangerous habitual offenders who must be considered and labelled as social outlaws, shirkers, idlers and disruptive wreckers of democracy.

Policymakers, law enforcement, and the justice system need to address these concerns promptly. Rather than condoning such behaviour, there must be a concerted effort to label these actions accurately. This includes refraining from dismissing them as mere pranks or amusing acts.

Individuals engaging in disruptive and violent actions within, or outside student unions must be recognized for the potential harm they pose to democratic principles. Designating them as civic terrorists, social outlaws, shirkers, idlers, and disruptive elements emphasizes the seriousness of their actions and encourages appropriate legal responses.

There must be no place or excuse for not addressing, prosecuting, or condemning actions that pose a threat to public safety and democratic values.

The Current Rent Geared to Income System Perpetuates Poverty

Lack of Uniformity Across the Province:

The disparity in maximum income limits per household, as stipulated by the HSA (Housing Services Act) for eligibility, creates an unjust scenario across different regions. This lack of consistency results in unequal rights for residents. For instance, an individual on the RGI waiting list in Toronto who relocates to Kingston faces substantially lower maximum income limits per household. Consequently, the eligibility of the person diminishes upon moving, leading to inequality across the province. This discrepancy potentially constitutes a violation of constitutional principles under the Canadian Constitution Charter, demanding a reassessment of the current system.

Challenges Faced by Couples in RGI Mixed-Income Communities:

Couples residing in RGI mixed-income communities encounter precarious situations, especially in the unfortunate event of the death of one partner. In buildings that combine both market rent and RGI units, surviving spouses may grapple with untenable financial burdens. For instance, if one spouse passes away, the surviving partner may face exorbitant market rent prices, despite having no immediate medical or pressing issues. Existing city policies place them in a situation where they are no longer financially equipped to maintain their current living arrangement in the market rent unit due to a reduction in income following the death of a partner.

Proposed Solutions:

To address these critical issues, we implore the Province under the HSA to establish a uniform eligibility criterion across the province. Additionally, swift and decisive steps are needed to safeguard the rights and well-being of residents, particularly surviving spouses. We propose that the Province institute policies and procedures facilitating the immediate transition of surviving spouses from market rent units to available RGI units within the same building based on income eligibility. This compassionate and practical solution aims to prevent further upheaval in their lives during an already challenging time. For example: In 2022, the Official Poverty Line for a single person is estimated to be approximately $27,343, with the deep income poverty threshold set at $20,508. For a couple, the poverty income is calculated as $54,686, and the deep income poverty for couples is $41,014. Notably, in Kingson, the allowable income for a one-bedroom unit is restricted to $36,000, whereas in Toronto, it is $58,500 for a one-bedroom unit for a couple.

Call to Action:

It is imperative to protect and support those who have contributed to our community. Therefore, we urge the swift implementation of these changes to demonstrate our commitment to the well-being of residents and reinforce the sense of unity and compassion that defines our community. Acting promptly will ensure that vulnerable surviving spouses are not left in financial distress and can continue to call our community their home as opposed to the present system of having a surviving spouse put on the waiting list for 5 to 10 years for an RGI unit.

The proposed reforms will contribute to a more equitable and compassionate RGI system across the Province for all municipalities and Cities.

PS Today, across Ontario there are more than 200,000 thousand on the RGI waiting list province-wide and most likely far more.