Podcasts about city councillor

Greg Brady spoke to Parthi Kandavel, City Councillor about Toronto looking to cut down FIFA World Cup spending. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Greg Brady spoke to Parthi Kandavel, City Councillor about Toronto looking to cut down FIFA World Cup spending. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Napier residents will still be able to dance the night away. The City Council has rejected a proposal that would force bars to close an hour earlier – at 2am instead of 3. It was part of the city's draft Local Alcohol Policy. Councillor Richard McGrath told Heather du Plessis-Allan that though they had evidence that connected alcohol and trouble, there didn't seem to be a correlation between that and age. He says that in the same time period, there was roughly an equivalent amount of harm in a suburb with two alcohol licenses as there was in the suburb with the nightclub – an area that has up to 30 licenses. McGrath says that in his view, there's no evidence its the clubs and pubs causing the problems as opposed to off-licenses and house parties. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

UUP Cllr Jim Rodgers says "under no circumstances" they should be allowed to perform

A Wellington City Councillor says he's not holding his breath on 16-year-olds getting the vote. The Council has reaffirmed its support for letting them participate in local body elections, with only four councillors opposed. Councillor Ben McNulty says it was a quick vote - and he was in favour. But he says this Government's likely to ignore the call. "Whether LGNZ listens to Wellington, whether the Government then listens to LGNZ - who knows? It's purely symbolic." McNulty says symbolism is sometimes important in politics. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dunedin City Council is planning to keep existing speed limits around the city's schools in place, despite a directive from Government. The report being considered at Wednesday's council meeting will recommend all but one school keep its 30km per hour speed limit - with the remaining school only increasing to 50km during non-peak hours. The council has been asked to provide a list of speed limit reversals on 'specified roads' to the New Zealand Transport Agency by Thursday. Dunedin City Councillor Jim O'Malley says these speed limits have been in place for a long time - and many in the community don't want them to change. "We know that when another Government comes in, they'll want them back to where they were before, so it would pretty much be a futile waste of effort, to be honest." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A gang conflict warrant has been issued in the Hawke's Bay after shots were fired at homes in Wairoa on Tuesday, then again in Napier yesterday. It will give Police extra search powers for affiliates throughout the region. Napier City councillor and former police detective Keith Price talks to Tim Beveridge about the issue. LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's claims Portuguese millipedes are wreaking havoc in Wellington's Owhiro Bay - and should be declared a pest. The many-legged creatures have been invading homes in the small suburb at night. City Councillor Nureddin Abdurahman says he's heard the problem is spreading beyond Owhiro Bay to wider Wellington. He says if someone visits the nearby Red Rocks, millipedes could be taken into ecologically protected areas like Zealandia. "If it's impossible to eradicate then it needs to be contained." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Martin Horak is the Chair of the Council Resourcing Review Task Force and has information on how Londoners can have a say on London city councillor salaries and expense accounts.

Roy L Hales/Cortes Currents - A growing number of elected and former politicians in the North Island Powell River riding are calling upon the Conservative Party to withdraw their endorsement of Aaron Gunn, and demand he withdraw his candidacy. There were already 19 names on this jpoint letter when Cortes Currents spoke to the two women spearheaded this campaign.  “This has all happened within the last 48 hours. I believe (Bob Chamberlain) a former Vice President of the Union of BC Indian Chiefs who sent out the first call for Gunn to be removed. After that many other chiefs supported the call for him to step down,” explained Arzeena Hamir, a former Regional Director of Area B in the Comox Valley Regional District.  Wendy Morin, a City Councillor from Courtney, added. “When I saw the repeated posts of comments that Aaron Gunn has made, particularly that the experience of residential schools etc was not genocide, that's what really struck me as really harmful to First Nations communities in our region. Especially since the House of Commons unanimously stated that residential schools were genocide and, that was from all parties, including the onservatives. I thought, wow, this is someone who's a candidate who's not even aligned with the previous MPs in the House of Commons. I just felt that it was really important to show solidarity with the First Nations communities in our region, in the region where Aaron Gun is running.” Arzeena Hamir:  “As elected and former elected officials, we just wanted to support First Nations leaders in really emphasizing that call because it's just an unacceptable viewpoint.” Wendy Morin: “We felt that it was important to show leadership on this and to show that local leaders across all different backgrounds, we don't all agree with each other. We don't all vote the same way, but on this issue we were very united.” Arzeena Hamir: “She and I sat down and crafted the letter and then sent it out for everybody else to sign.” Robyn Mawhinney, from Area C was one of the recipients,   “I, as a director in the Stratcona Regional District know that within the administrative boundaries of the Strathcona Regional District, there are 11 First Nations and there are many more First Nations when you look at the entirety of the North Island Powell River riding. I believe that reconciliation is multifaceted and much more than only economic reconciliation. I have grave concerns with our riding being represented by someone who doesn't appear to take this full spectrum of reconciliation seriously. First Nations Leadership Council and many other First Nations leaders have expressed concerns with Aaron Gunn and I support them.” Arzeena Hamir:  “We're not asking for the conservatives to not put up a candidate because everyone has a right to representation, but that candidate obviously was not vetted properly. Apart from his very awful views on First Nations, there's just a long list of very disturbing comments that this person has made. We don't believe that people like that should take the platform of a candidate.” “I think many people who just vote Conservative normally, don't even realize what he stands for. So this part of this letter is to raise that awareness in people so that they know, and hopefully choose otherwise.”

A proposed pedestrian crossing's become a bit of a joke - after differing views were shared from two Christchurch community boards. The southbound lane of Deans Avenue, near Al Noor Mosque, has been approved for speed bumps - but not the lane heading north. It's the boundary between the Riccarton and Central City wards. Central City Councillor Jake McLellan's side will have a bump. He says it will look kooky - but it's better than nothing. "When you add a crossing but you don't actually do anything to make people safe while they're crossing, it can become quite dangerous." Riccarton Councillor Tyla Harrison-Hunt agrees it's better than the status quo. "At the end of the day, it's actually a massive, massive win for the Deans Ave residents - and a massive win for the everyday users of Hagley Park." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wellington City Council removed car parks near the botanical Gardens to create more space for cycleways, now they might be bringing them back. The council says residents were complaining after being unable to find parks to visit the gardens. Wellington City Councillor Diane Calvert talks to Ryan Bridge. LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of Transit Unplugged, Paul Comfort interviews Ryan Murphy, the Chair of the City Council's Transportation Committee in Brisbane, while riding one of Brisbane's famous CityCat ferries to talk about the vibrant and evolving transit system in this river city.Episode Highlights:CityCat Ferries: Discover the unique CityCat ferry service that operates along the Brisbane River, connecting 22 stations and carrying about 5 million passengers annually. Ryan shares how this service has become a beloved part of the city's tourism and commuter landscape.Innovative Metro Project: Learn about the groundbreaking Brisbane Metro project, featuring double articulated electric buses designed to alleviate congestion and enhance the capacity of the city's busway system. Ryan discusses the integration of these high-tech vehicles and their role in transforming Brisbane's public transport.Bus Rapid Transit (BRT): Ryan explains how Brisbane's extensive bus network, supported by dedicated busways, serves as the backbone of the city's transit system. He highlights the city's efforts to improve bus-to-rail connections and the significant reforms underway ahead of the 2032 Olympics.Historical and Future Growth: From its origins as a port city to its current status as a bustling metropolis, Brisbane's transit system has continually evolved. Ryan provides insights into the city's plans for future growth, including the Cross River Rail project and the ambitious goals set for the upcoming Olympics.And don't forget to catch Ryan, the city of Brisbane, and all the projects he talked about in the latest episode of Transit Unplugged TV on YouTube: https://youtu.be/M04d9d-xpzkHave your say in the Transit Unplugged listener survey! It only takes a few minutes and we greatly appreciate your help and feedback. https://transitunplugged.com/survey/00:00 Introduction to Ryan Murphy and Brisbane's Transport 00:38 Exploring Brisbane's Ferry System05:14 Brisbane's Bus Network and BRT System07:38 Personal Message from Paul...08:17 Brisbane Metro: The Future of Public Transport12:12 Rail Developments and the 2032 Olympics15:06 Ryan Murphy's Background and Vision16:21 Australia's Public Transport Priorities17:59 Coming up next week on Transit UnpluggedTransit Unplugged is brought to you by Modaxo https://www.modaxo.comHost: Paul ComfortProducer: Paul ComfortEditor and Writer: Tris HusseyExecutive Producer: Julie GatesSpecial thanks to:Brand design: Tina OlagundoyeSocial Media: Tatyana MechkarovaMarketing content, Transit Unplugged Newsletter, & transit puns: Tris HusseyIf you have a question or comment, email us at info@transitunplugged.com.Follow us on social media: LinkedIn - Twitter - Threads- Instagram - FacebookSign up for the...

Want to keep up with City Council but can't make it to meetings, whether in person or virtual? Tune into Council Catch-up with Mayor Paterson every Wednesday after a Council meeting! He shares the key takeaways on big topics. Find links to the meeting agenda and reports below so you can dig deeper into what matters to you. Agenda Addendum

In this interview with City Councillor Despina Sourias, we discussed several topics, such as the housing crisis, the restructuring of short-term rentals, and the OMHM partnership for the Darlington project buildings. We also included some light-hearted small talk to catch up a bit. Be sure to tune in to get informed and enjoy the interview—we certainly did!https://linktr.ee/_thedepmediahttps://projetmontreal.org/en/team/despina-sourias

Wellington housing valuations have taken a dive, with no suburb unscathed. QV valuations show house values have fallen 24.4 percent since 2021, with the average house value now sitting just under $1.1 million. Auckland valuations are expected to show little movement since 2021. City Councillor Ben McNulty says it won't change rates bills much. "The council has decided it needs 13 percent more money from rate-payers to run the city for next year, which means rates have to go up to meet that amount." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

One councillor's standing by a proposed fizzy drink ban, despite community pushback. Palmerston North City Council has proposed to include Central Energy Trust Arena in its sugary drinks ban - among other venues. The council says the draft policy's aim is to promote a healthy lifestyle. Councillor Brent Barrett says he knows pushing for the right thing isn't always popular. "We know there's a direct line between sugar and the kind of pressure that comes on our health system through rotting teeth, diabetes, obesity, etc... we want to see if there's community appetite for change." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A third major exhibition at Wellington's $180 million convention centre has failed to break even. The City Council is refusing to quantify the deficit for the Doctor Who event, which ran from last June to October. It also won't release specific visitor numbers, citing commercial sensitivity. Councillor Diane Calvert says ratepayers have a right to know the exhibition's actual cost against the budget. "Because if we don't deal with this openly, how can we look for improvements and how can we action those improvements that I'm sure we can do?" LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Greg Brady focused in on There are multiple reports now that Premier Ford will indeed be calling an early election and voters may need to line up in the snow to cast a ballot. Next, Ontario is suffering from a serious lack of housing starts. Mike Moffatt, Economist and Founding Director of PLACE Centre, joins us now to discuss the fact that Canada added half a million new households but had fewer than 250,000 housing starts. The math ain't working and it's leading to a serious struggle for the middle class. Also, Steve Munro, Transit Expert and Advocate, joins us now to discuss his fantastic piece: "You're Not Crazy: TTC Service is Worse".  Next, 30,000 City of Toronto workers could soon go on strike. David Miller, former Mayor of Toronto, joins us to discuss the concerns that many city workers are not being paid a living wage. Lastly, one City councillor called a constituent an inflammatory term, seemingly unjustified. Ben Mulroney, host of The Ben Mulroney Show on the Corus radio network, joins us now to discuss this unfounded accusation.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

City Councillor questions if going into Government is the correct decision for Fine Gael Outgoing Senator Seeking NUI Panel Seat in Seanad Galway lads take on Barcelona Marathon in memory of their friend Ronan Hynes

On Episode 68, we tell you about a London, Ont., city councillor sanctioned for saucy emjois; we explain what's wrong with a Conservative private member's bill aimed at protecting children online; and we tell why it may not make sense to shut down TikTok's Canadian office.Stories and cases discussed in this week's episode:London councillor should have pay suspended for 30 days for bullying city staffer: Integrity commissionerBill 241, Municipal Accountability Act, 2024TikTok seeks to block federal government's shutdown order with court challengeNoted Black novelist challenges London school board stance on N-word in booksPassenger in deadly Highway 401 wrong-way crash pleads guilty, released on probationJoanna Baron: The Liberal's approach to regulating the internet is a disaster. What comes next could be even worse No Cash For Hurtful SignageNot Reserving Judgment is a podcast about Canadian constitutional law hosted by Josh Dehaas, Joanna Baron, and Christine Van Geyn.The show is brought to you by the Canadian Constitution Foundation, a non-partisan legal charity dedicated to defending rights and freedoms. To support our work, visit theccf.ca/donate.

A city councillor says more can be done to stop Wellington's rates rising further. Draft council budget figures predict 15.9 percent rises for the 2025-26 financial year - with a portion for wastewater treatment included, dubbed the sludge levy. Councillor Tony Randle says there's still time to make cuts, or ratepayers will feel the pain. "This is just bad news for a council, really, that says it's trying to make hard decisions - but it hasn't made hard decisions." Mayor Tory Whanau is promising staff are aiming to reduce the increase. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

TUNE INTO THE TOWN: TTC PROHIBITS E-BIKES AND E-SCOOTERS ON VEHICLES DURING WINTER MONTHS  Libby Znaimer is joined by Karen Stintz, CEO, Variety Village, Jon Burnside, City Councillor for Ward 16 (Don Valley East) and Brett Chang, Co-Founder of The Peak. The TTC has banned e-bikes from the subway during winter due to fire risks and space issues. A staff report opposed a permanent ban, warning it could harm low-income delivery drivers. Critics argue the move benefits companies like Uber, which are accused of exploiting workers, while also questioning the city's cap on rideshare drivers. FOOD PRICES IN CANADA EXPECTED TO RISE BY 3 TO 5% IN 2025 ACCORDING TO NEW REPORT Libby Znaimer is joined by Kristina Kupferschmidt, a data scientist and professor at the University of PEI. A new report predicts food prices will rise by 3-5% in 2025, with Ontario seeing lower-than-average inflation. While some commodities like olive oil may drop in price, beef, citrus, cocoa, and coffee are expected to remain high. Beef prices alone have jumped 9.2% and could stay elevated for the next few years, especially with potential U.S. tariffs looming. AIR CANADA TO BAN CARRY-ON BAGS AND CHARGE SEAT SELECTION FEE FOR LOWEST-FARE PASSENGERS Libby is joined by Karl Moore, Airline Industry Analyst and Professor at McGill University and Dr. Gabor Lukacs, President, Air Passenger Rights. Starting January 3, Air Canada will charge for carry-on bags on its lowest-priced basic fares flights. The cost is C$35 for the first bag and C$50 for a second. Larger items like roller bags or duffel bags will incur a fee, though small personal items remain free. Basic fare passengers will also pay extra to change seats.

Greg Brady focused in on an explosive Auditor General's report and it does not reflect well on the Ontario Ford government with Jessica Smith Cross, Editor-in-chief of The Trillium. Next, Jamaal Myers, City Councillor for Scarborough North and Chair of the TTC. Why is this ban on e-bikes and e-scooters on public transit necessary? Lastly, former Toronto Mayor David Miller with his weekly check in and shared his views on the TTC, Metrolinx and the Eglinton crosstown LRT. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this new episode, Calen and Sam welcome Victoria City Councillor and documentary filmmaker Krista Loughton for an insightful discussion on homelessness and the challenges surrounding shelters in Victoria and other municipalities.Krista shares her experiences working at the intersection of policy and personal stories, offering a deeper look into the crisis facing vulnerable communities in Victoria. This episode explores the realities of homelessness, the complexities of shelter systems, and the urgent need for compassionate, sustainable solutions.

TUNE INTO THE TOWN: TTC CEO CALLS ON TPS CHIEF TO HELP GET RID OF ANTISEMITIC GRAFFITI  Libby Znaimer is joined by Toronto City Councillor James Pasternak of Ward 6 York Centre, Jon Burnside, City Councillor for Ward 16 (Don Valley East) and Alex Blumenstein, Co-Founder of The Peak. The TTC's CEO writes a letter to the Toronto Police Chief expressing concern around the issue of antisemitic graffiti on the transit system's property, a new report details how the City is falling behind its timeline targets for repairing potholes, and according to a Listening to Toronto survey, most Torontonians feel as though the city is not moving in the right direction. IMPACT OF CANADA POST STRIKE ON SMALL BUSINESS AND CONSUMERS Libby Znaimer is joined by Bruce Winder, a Retail Analyst and Daniel Tisch, President and CEO of the Ontario Chamber of Commerce. The Canada Post strike continues, and talks between the union (CUPW) and Canada Post have stalled. We get a sense of how this is all impacting small businesses and consumers. And, we continue the conversation around PM Trudeau's temporary GST tax relief plan. CAA STUDY ON CANNABIS IMPAIRMENT AMONG ROAD USERS + THEIR WINTER READINESS CAMPAIGN Libby Znaimer is joined by Michael Stewart, Community Relations Consultant for CAA South Central Ontario and Constable Brad Verspeeten of Toronto Police Traffic Services. Two things to talk about: first there's a new study from the CAA regarding cannabis impairment among drivers in Ontario. Meanwhile, the TPS, OPP and CAA are running a joint campaign to discuss winter readiness tips for drivers to stay safe as the weather changes.

There are fears big Wellington City Council budget cuts don't go far enough. The council yesterday voted in a mammoth meeting to make hundreds of millions of dollars of savings by slashing projects like cycleway spending, and demolishing Begonia House in the Botanic Gardens. Councillor Tony Randle told Mike Hosking the projects Mayor Tory Whanau managed to save, like the Golden Mile redevelopment and climate initiatives, should have been cut too. He claims they add more spending to the budget and says they now won't be able to make enough savings. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's frustration for some at Wellington City Council, as the city's Long Term Plan is laid out. Budget cuts were a big part of the discussions - as the city needs to bring in more money after the plan to sell the airport shares fell through. The Council's proposed demolishing the Botanical Gardens' Begonia House and they plan to chop upgrades for venues and a development of Frank Kitts Park. Wellington City Councillor Tony Randle says the Golden Mile project was spared - for the time being. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Elias Makos is joined by Justine McIntyre, Strategic Consultant and former City Councillor and  Akil Alleyne, Reporter and Commentator with extensive experience analysing legal, political, and social issues and Manager of the GemStar Circle of Excellence Scholarship Program on The Big 5. U.S. President-elect Donald Trump has pledged to impose sweeping tariffs on imports from Canada, Mexico, and China, escalating trade tensions with America's largest trading partners. Two-month GST holiday to combat "vibecession," says Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland.

Wellington City Council's 'highest-ever' investment in water infrastructure will see less than 1km of pipes replaced this year, Wellington Water claims. After a summer of leaks and taps running dry, the Council promised to increase spending on water infrastructure to address the damage. Wellington City Councillor Ben McNulty says it's up to Wellington Water to determine where that money goes. "The decision to do less than a kilometre sits very much operationally in their hands." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Greg Brady spoke with Shelley Carroll, City Councillor for Ward 17—Don Valley North about the budget consultation update and World Cup cutbacks. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Christchurch City Council is continuing to push back against KiwiRail's multimillion dollar safety improvement requirement, which has forced the closure of a cycleway. The freight transport company says a crossing on the Heathcote Expressway needs $6.5 million in safety upgrades because of the cycleway That could take two years. Councillor Aaron Keown told Mike Hosking he assumes they're referring to the gate systems. He says it's odd given the path doesn't cross there but runs beside the rail line. Keown says Mayor Phil Mauger has written to the appropriate ministers. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The votes are tallied and Ward 3 has a new city councillor. Greg Noseworthy joined us on the line to talk about the win, and the issues he plans to tackle while in the position.

RECOVERING POLITICIANS PANEL: ELECTION DAY IN THE U.S. Libby Znaimer is joined by George Smitherman, a former Deputy Premier and Health Minister of the Ontario Liberals, Cheri DiNovo, a former NDP MPP and Will Stewart, a Conservative Strategist and Senior Vice President with Enterprise Canada. It's election day in the U.S. Either Donald Trump or Kamala Harris will go to the White House, but which President will provide a better outcome for Canada? As mentioned yesterday, according to a Leger survey from this past October, 70 percent of Canadians are engaged in this election. Our panelists react to the latest on that.  ANTHONY FUREY ON WARD 15 BYELECTION OUTCOME  Libby Znaimer is now joined by Anthony Furey, who ran as a candidate for City Councillor for Ward 15 Don Valley West.  Anthony Furey joins the program to discuss the outcome of the Ward 15 Don Valley West byelection. Rachel Chernos Lin won with 55 percent of the vote, Furey getting 31 percent. He reflects on the race that was. MAYOR PATRICK BROWN WEIGHS IN ON PROTESTS IN BRAMPTON  Libby Znaimer is now joined by Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown followed by Robin Sears, a crisis communications expert and former NDP strategist.   Our guests react to the protests that have unfolded in Brampton in recent days. And Mayor Brown has proposed a bylaw that would prohibit protests at places of worship, which is to be voted on at the next scheduled city council meeting on November 13th.

Greg Brady spoke with Daniel Tate, organizer of the 30,000-signature petition against renaming Yonge Dundas Square and most recently door knocking for the Anthony Furey and his bid to win the open Ward 15 councillor seat in a byelection Monday.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As the US Election period enters its final days, how are Democrats feeling as the ballot day comes around the corner?Joining Kieran to discuss is Ed Flynn, Boston District 2 City Councillor.

Greg Brady spoke with Alejandra Bravo, City Councillor, Ward 9 – Davenport about Toronto's winter shelter plan won't meet need. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A Wellington city councillor says the Government's decision to send in a Crown observer was welcome news in council chambers. Labour Councillor Nureddin Abdurahman spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

There's scepticism from some as to whether a Crown observer will help Wellington City Council. Local Government Minister Simeon Brown is appointing an observer over concerns for the council's financial management. But councillor Tim Brown says many councillors think it will provide advice and help them work together better, but he's not convinced. Tim Brown says he thinks Simeon Brown's putting the observer there to undermine the council. "He's put somebody in the room so that they can go to him and say - hey Simeon, it's not working, let's fire these guys and move on." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's confusion over the size of Wellington City Council's fiscal hole. The council is scrambling to fill a $400-600 million shortfall in its 10 year budget to mitigate its insurance risk, amid threats of Government intervention. But Councillor Nicola Young told Mike Hosking the council doesn't have a clue how much money it actually needs. She says they've been told by council officers figures like $200, $400, and $600 million, so the council is aiming to find $500 million. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A Wellington City Councillor believes Government intervention is necessary. Councillors have met urgently this afternoon to discuss changes to the city's Long Term Plan. The budget needs revision after the Council backed out of selling its airport shares, leaving a funding hole worth hundreds of millions of dollars. Mayor Tory Whanau will talk with Local Government Minister Simeon Brown tomorrow. Diane Calvert says she thinks they need a facilitator. "It's taken us two years for this to sort of come to a boiling point, but we've seen it building up over a time." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A Wellington City Councillor is not convinced the Government will intervene - and is defending the Council. The Local Government Minister's taking advice on potential intervention. Councillors must find cost savings after u-turning on plans to sell the 34 percent stake in Wellington Airport - estimated to be worth hundreds of millions of dollars. Councillor Tim Brown says there is no ongoing dysfunction. "I would definitely bet a beer on them not intervening - but that depends on us being able to sort the problem ourselves. If we can sort the problem, why would they intervene?" LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's a feeling bad blood may linger in Wellington City Council. The council has voted to overturn its decision to sell the city's 34% stake in Wellington Airport after a process one councillor described as the “dirtiest politics” she's been involved with. Mayor Tory Whanau's suggesting the council will have to look at further cuts in the wake of this decision. Councillor Tony Randle told Mike Hosking he only agreed to sell the shares if it kept the millions of dollars as emergency funding. He says when they saw the Long Term Plan was going to spend this money, he withdrew support. Randle says it's been rough for everybody, and things have been said that will be hard to un-say, but the council needs to move on. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of Missing Middle, journalist Cara Stern is mad. A street in her neighbourhood in Toronto is trying to get an exemption to the city-wide garden suites rules. Cara and economist Mike Moffatt discuss the ongoing challenges of NIMBYism in Toronto, still supported by local city councillors, even when it's about the gentlest of gentle density.Links:How garden suites are dividing these Toronto neighbours (thestar.com)East-end residents worry they may lose garden suite zoning | CBC NewsCraven Road I – Leslieville Historical Society (leslievillehistory.com)Latest update from the CityCraven Road MapIf you want to let Toronto City council know you support more housing and that garden suites everywhere are part of that you can email:City Planner Alexa Legge:alexa.legge@toronto.caWard 14 City Councillor, Paula Fletcher:councillor_fletcher@toronto.caMayor Olivia Chow:mayor_chow@toronto.caHosted by Mike Moffatt & Cara Stern Produced by Meredith Martin This podcast is funded by the Neptis Foundation and brought to you by the Smart Prosperity Institute.

Morning Show reporter Darrell Roberts stopped by this year's Canadian Home Builders' Association' Housing Forum yesterday. After the show, he spoke with Curtis Mercer, president of K & P Contracting Limited, and St. John's city councillor Ron Ellsworth. They offered their thoughts on easing the housing crunch.

There's further calls for Government intervention in Wellington City Council after a rough TV interview from the mayor. Tory Whanau has faced criticism following a Q&A interview where she backtracked on why she sold her car, contradicted herself, and got confused on questions. Local councillor Diane Calvert has been calling for a Crown facilitator on the council. She now says people have lost trust in the council. "A lot of people have rung me, texted me, or stopped me in the street - we're really sad about what's happening in our city. It needs some leadership and it's not there." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Want to keep up with City Council but can't make it to meetings, whether in person or virtual? Tune into Council Catch-up with Mayor Paterson every Wednesday after a Council meeting! He shares the key takeaways on big topics. Find links to the meeting agenda and reports below so you can dig deeper into what matters to you. View the agenda View the addendum

There's outrage in parts of the capital over the price-tag of a new bike rack.  Ratepayers have forked out $550 thousand to install a two-tier bike rack in central Wellington.  Independent Wellington City Councillor Diane Calvert told Mike Hosking she's gobsmacked the project became so expensive.  Calvert says costs snowballed due to work on the footpath, installation of CCTV, and wiring electricity to the bike rack.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A Dunedin City councillor has apologised for causing offence but is standing behind comments about Māori that breached the council's Code of Conduct. Our Otago/Southland reporter Tess Brunton has the story.

A Christchurch city councillor hopes the discovery of remains in police's year-long search for real estate agent Yanfei Bao will bring some closure to a case that's gripped the community. Anna Sargent reports.