Ford is the next "hitler" according to some posts in left-wing media sites. They say democracy is at risk and the people are going to suffer, etc... When I lived in Toronto, I never once really cared about councilors - 47 or 7, no difference to me.
I don't understand the point of having these roles in the first place and I certainly don't get why Toronto has to have almost the same amount as NYC!?
I'm no politician but I'd manage the city differently and make sure there's a "global" or city-wide system for things like the TTC so decisions are made for the better good of the overall city (and partnership with GTA). Citizens should have no say in things like transit planning and certainly not a bunch of stupid politicians, this has to be done by a fully agnostic committee. I think some sort of committee that only gets paid if they are successful, some sort of ROWE style contract.