From Friday’s Globe and Mail

Toronto sports leagues for children and teens are getting a one-year reprieve on new fees imposed by the city that blindsided groups with hefty charges for using city fields.

The 11th-hour decision came as councillors prepared to debate the controversial fees this coming Tuesday. It followed a series of meetings in the mayor’s office Thursday afternoon, including one half-hour sit down with councillors Janet Davis and Sarah Doucette. The two councillors – both vocal critics of the new charges – say they had the support of the majority of councillors for a motion to cancel the fees for this summer.
Tapinder Singh from the Toronto & District Cricket Association was relieved to hear of the mayor’s support. Several parents told him they couldn’t afford an increase and would be pulling their children out of the game. Mr. Singh would like the mayor to make further concessions.
“First of all, the fees should never have been raised without talking to the impacted parties,” he said. “But leaving that aside, what we really need is to see a reduction in fees or an increase in the quality of service.” The grass on the fields is not cut short enough to meet cricket standards, he said.
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