Screaming match at city hall budget meeting: so this is why city council meetings aren’t catered

We’re filing this under “gift to the media,” right between Adam Giambrone and Mildred’s Temple Kitchen’s Valentine’s Day promotion. Earlier this week, at a meeting about the city’s budget, a shouting match erupted over school food when a resident went to the podium to suggest to councillor Paula Fletcher a deputation on the budget plan. Concerned about tax increases, the resident said that certain programs don’t need to be funded by taxpayers, adding that he works for private organizations that provide breakfast programs to schools. It all goes downhill from there.

Fletcher asked the man, “Are you aware the food in the schools is funded 12 per cent from the city, 12 per cent from the province, and the rest of it by community? Are you aware of that?”

“I’m not aware of those precise percentages, no,” he replied.

“That’s right. And are you—would you suggest we cut—would you suggest we cut our 12 per cent?” Fletcher said.

The Star provided a transcript of the argument, and the Post uploaded the video in all its glory, complete with Fletcher yelling the following challenge to the resident: “Oh, come and run against me. Come on down, baby!” Fletcher later apologized for her behaviour.

The only thing that would have made this a complete viral sensation is if a food fight had broken out. Maybe our politicians are saving that for Discussions at the Bistro.

• City budget meeting turns into screaming match [Toronto Star]
• City Councillor Apologizes For Angry Outburst [CityTV]