Mel Lastman on past choices

Toronto's outgoing Mayor reflects on political life and on legacy he leaves the city

Toronto Mayor Mel Lastman spoke with us of his political career, his memories, his few regrets and many satisfactions. During the interview Lastman expounded on his mayoralty, but also on his complex personality. He mentioned the councillors he would have gladly avoided and the people he would gladly forget ever meeting.

After so many years in the political arena, do you think that Mel Lastman's real personality has been understood?
"No, I don't. I don't think that the media understands and actually I don't think they even bothered to try and understand."
Why don't you explain yourself now?
"I think that the best person for that would be my wife. I don't believe that anybody knows me just as well."
How would you like to be remembered?
"As Toronto's first mayor and as a person who really kept the city's interest at heart. The person who created an organization to make Toronto an even greater city."
Your decision is irrevocable. However, is there anything that could change your mind and make you run again?
"No, there isn't. There will be no second thoughts. I feel fine, I have no doubts about this."
When did you make up your mind?
"Last summer. I thought that, apart from some final details I had yet to arrange, the future of Toronto is safe."
What were those details?
"I needed to make sure that some Federal funds would arrive."
Did you succeed?
"Yes, I did. I received two letters from the Prime Minister."
Are you happy with the support you received?
"It was hard. However, with all the battles I fought in the past five years I managed to obtain some $3.5 billion for Toronto, split between Queen's Park and Ottawa. I think that raising one's voice can pay, don't you agree?"
Did you get enough?
"I don't think so. Last year the two levels of government took from Toronto $10 billion more than they returned. They could have left us another billion dollars and solved our problems. We'd have avoided so much fighting and dealt with so many problems, starting with the homeless."
Relations were strained, I see.
"Things are different today. For instance, the Federal government earmarked $76 million, and after many calls and controversies they sent us, just a few weeks ago, only $62 million. We're still waiting for the other $14 million."
I see so many photos on the walls of this office. Which one will you make sure you keep?
"All of them, but one in particular: the one with Pope John Paul II. I met His Holiness several times, the last one here in Toronto with my wife. That was a special meeting. Just think that he received Prime Minister Jean Chrétien and Premier Ernie Eves for 10 minutes each, while he spent 20 minutes with my wife and me. What moved me most was that when we entered the room, despite his weakness, he stood. I felt guilty, I didn't find it right that the Pope should stand for my wife and me. That meeting was unforgettable for me as well as for my wife, especially when he caressed her cheek."
Is there a photo you would rather leave?
"The one with Nick Nolte."
Why is that?
"He's a great actor and I admire him a lot, but he's crazy."
What did he do?
"Well, he wore a very expensive leather coat; you know what he wore underneath it?"
What?
"His pyjamas. That's how he was dressed when I met him at a theatre."
Who's the politician you admire most?
"Actually, there's two of them, for different reasons. The first was Pierre Trudeau. I always admired him. The other is Mike Harris. He gave me problems, but I admire him because he keeps his word."
You had some rather brutal exchanges.
"He gave us big problems, but he kept his word. When he promised us money we could count on it, the money arrived with no need to remind him. He phoned me while I was going to announce my retirement."
What would you like to say to your successor?
"I'm thinking about it. I'm trying to solve our financial problems so that begging the various governments becomes unnecessary. Anyway, I hope that the next mayor will be very careful in budgeting. I hope that she or he will understand that Toronto is made up of people from 170 different countries. Because of them, Toronto is a special city, and it must stay this way, as this is our strength."
Any regrets about North York or Toronto?
"As Mayor of North York I was perfect. I did so many things, such as creating the downtown, that many people deemed impossible. And we did it."
What about Toronto?
"I would have liked to see the subway reach all the way to Scarborough Centre."
Just that?
"Better media relations. Perhaps I did not give them enough information about everything they wanted. I can do nothing about this. My job was not to keep journalists happy, but to work for the citizens."
How did the citizens respond?
"They were fantastic, they realized that I was working for them."
Did Italian-Canadians support you?
"They were among my most faithful supporters. Fantastic people. They were always close to me and I really appreciated that."
Let's talk about the councillors. Is there anyone you wouldn't have missed?
"Sure, several of them! Don't ask me to name names, though. This is a very efficient council, anyway."
Who were your closest collaborators?
"I wouldn't like to name names here, either. I'll only mention Betty Disero, a smart lady who works hard and knows what she does; or Joe Pantalone, a person I like a lot, good and sincere. You always know what he thinks. I hate those who break their word. The same goes for Case Ootes. But there are others."
Who will you support as your successor?
"I think I'll reveal that in August or September."
Maybe you could anticipate something...
"For sure I won't support anyone who will try and destroy what we built, forgetting the jobs that can be created for Torontonians, especially for young people."
Can you illustrate?
"The link with the Island Airport. I worked a lot to obtain this result, and I won't support anyone who would destroy that link. I won't support those who would stop the development of the Harbourfront, an initiative that will create thousands of jobs. Some people would destroy what we built. Toronto needs nothing of the kind."

Publication Date: 2003-01-26
Story Location: http://tandemnews.com/viewstory.php?storyid=2283