Markham needs Direct Democracy

The community of Markham, one of the largest within the greater Toronto area (population 300,000) could use the principle of Direct Democracy to resolve some big problems about to surface. The Unionville Ratepayers Association (a smaller unit within the Markham community) is an active group. Recently a large number of its citizens questioned the likelihood of its town of greatly expanding the developable area within its boundaries. Very many within the association believe that the town is too big already and permitting a huge zoning change at the northern end, now almost all a farming area, would be very harmful to the community. Some of the elected councillors seem to agree. Under the Ontario Municipal Act a council can bring a referendum to a vote within the community - but only if it follows special timely guidelines. But, it seems that the councillors did not get the process before their council on time. Many other councillors seem to prefer to use procedural rules to delay the passing of the needed motion. Therefore such referendum is not likely to be forthcoming. One will not truly know the wishes of the citizens.
If Direct Democracy was in place in Ontario, the citizens themselves, if enough signed a properly worded petition, could require that such referendum take place.
This is a very important bit of business to a great many ratepayers. It is just too bad that they cannot now require that a vote be taken upon the issue. Maybe some time soon such referendums will be allowed via citizen initiatives in Ontario, as in some 24 states in USA and within several countries in Europe, especially - Switzerland. But laws permitting such must be enacted by the provincial parliament.
Check out the previous ten missives within this blog to see just some recent examples , or get my book - YOU Can Control Your Government. Ontario should get itself up-to-date . Democracy should be what it originally meant - Rule by the People; not Rule by a few "elites".