Premier Doug Ford claims the move to shrink Toronto city council will save taxpayers $25 million over four years. But what about the cost to taxpayers to impose this change in the middle of an election? The move resulted in city and provincial lawyers battling in court, while the government recalled the legislature for several days — including a weekend and overnight session — towards implementing legislation a judge ruled unconstitutional.To date, the premier has not explained where the $25 million in savings will come from, and the city disputes this figure, saying the changes would result in savings of less than $6 million over four years. Read more:Court hearing Tuesday could decide future of upcoming Toronto election — for nowTories’ Toronto council bill clears hurdle after lively all-night debateOpinion | Martin Regg Cohn: With Doug Ford in the premier’s office, why bother with democracy?While the true figure is up for debate, it is also unclear how much the public is on the hook for the ensuing fight.Here’s what we do and don’t know about the costs:Cost of changing the ward boundaries in the middle of the election:Last month, the city clerk Ulli Watkiss estimated it will cost $2.5 million more over the current budget of $14.9 million, to move from the 47- to 25-ward model in time for the Oct. 22 municipal election. Watkiss told council last week her office has “hit a tipping point,” and it’s “becoming virtually impossible” for staff to carry out the election on the planned date.Legal costs:Both the City of Toronto and the Attorney General of Ontario have several lawyers on the file.City spokesperson Tammy Robbinson said the city’s legal department has not hired outside lawyers and staff lawyers, who are on salary, don’t get paid overtime.In a statement to the Star late Monday night, Ministry of the Attorney General spokesperson Brian Gray said in-house government counsel & ...
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