Sunday WATER, Monday TTC, Tuesday ???

Yes, we're hearing a lot all of a sudden from our multi-term DVE MPP after he seemed to go into hiding after resigning his seat in McQuinty's Cabinet. He seems to be poking a finger into the mayoral campaign_ and is it intentional?

Today's report (in Star) has him wanting to make the TTC an essential service (and revoke the union strike option). He says people do not want to see service disruptions. Maybe, somewhat. But why is he pressing this just after the city budget comes out (with a major TTC subsidy by Toronto's taxpayers) and the recent fare increase, and customer service concerns?

Is David making noise as a step back into cabinet? Is he trying out something for McQuinty as the Ontario Liberals prepare for the next provincial election?

But if so, he is ignoring the city financing concern of Toronto taxpayers, including TTC ridership. The city costs and user fees for the TTC go up with seemingly unstoppable union settlement increases as well as those for police, fire and the city staff_ regardless of the city ability to pay and of the questionable need to pay the highest rates because we are the largest city in Canada. They are creating the "structural deficit" that without last year's surplus, would have required well over a 12% tax rate increase to balance the books, instead of the 4% for residential property( without the hidden surplus and questionable service cutbacks, err inefficiencies who would have the guts to seek a 20% property increase to the lowest rates in the GTA according to the other David?).

The province has no money to hand out for the TTC, nor his bill 237 "water services". ( Is the thought: "Let the municipalities work out the money from their taxpayers"?)

And, at the same time with things like Caplan's bills is not building a policy on how to tie city employment settlements to the city's financial reality. Arbitration evidence indicates the employee union gets the favourable treatment, not the taxpayer.

So as Caplan does some brand building and kite flying, what is the bottom line?

What will Tuesday bring? With ex-cabinet seatmate Smitherman running, we shouldn't see Caplan dropping his name in the hat for mayor. Will he propose a bill to gut the OMB's power over land use in Toronto?

He is likely aware that along Sheppard Ave E., near Brian a certain developer has snubbed McQuinty's government and the city by seeking OMB approval to build more residential condos on prime land zoned as employment centre only.