Toronto Council meets today! It's budget time. This year, the mayor has backed a low residential property tax increase (just 2.2%!) so it's not clear what council will argue about, but I'm sure they'll find something.
The meeting stream is here. I'll post happenings. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9HA3i--_jqc
Councillor Saxe asks if there's a hidden "gravy train" at city hall — waste that could be cut without cutting service.
"There are not hundreds of millions of dollars of 'waste'," says City Manager. But he notes city is always looking for ways to be efficient. $135 million in savings this year.
Noting the cops have been hiring a lot, Carroll asks, "What's new about this year? Do we now move into being able to add supervision that is badly needed?"
"Yes," says the chief. "This budget, as part of the multi-year hiring plan, is going to focus on supervision where we need it the most."
Noting there's been "impressive numbers in terms of reduction of crime" recently, Councillor Michael Thompson asks the police chief what his "crystal ball" tells him about crime rates in 2026.
Demkiw says it's "very hard to speculate," but he's committed to driving the numbers down.
"So for every dollar in taxes a Toronto resident pays, nine cents goes to the city, 91 cents goes to the big fat feds and the big fat provincial guys?" asks Councillor Mike Colle.
The CFO confirms that the majority of tax revenue goes to other levels of gov.
Colle: Do we ever tell Toronto residents that most of their money goes to the big fat feds and the big fat Queen's Park?
Nunziata: Can you ask a question on the budget? We're not talking about the big fat feds.
Colle: Well they ARE the big fat feds.
After Chow makes her pitch, Councillor Holyday asks Chow about the use of reserve funds in the budget.
Chow says this budget is the result of "prudent fiscal management" where the city saved money over the last few years for things like FIFA, collective bargaining agreements, and shelters.
"How do we face the public knowing that our expenses will continue to go up, and we won't have reserve funds to offset those costs?" asks Holyday.
Chow says reserve funds will continue to grow. She's hopeful the federal gas tax contribution to municipalities will increase, which will help even more
"Will you commit that if you are re-elected, you will deliver next year's budget also at the rate of inflation?" Councillor Brad Bradford asks Chow.
Chow runs out the clock talking about reserve funds and affordability. She notes Bradford advocated for using reserve funds in recent years.
"You are effectively trying to buy Torontonian's votes with this budget," says Bradford. "Do you know how much you'll have to raise taxes to replace the $550 million draw you're raiding from the reserves this year?"
Chow rejects the premise. Again points out Bradford tried to use reserves last year
Budget Chief Carroll has A LOT of motions, including:
- $6.2 million to offset fed funding for youth violence prevention, if necessary
- $355K for rat response and coyote coexistence
- $300K for youth hub in Scarborough
- $150K for Scarborough food scene pilot
More Carroll motions:
- $200K for free school field trips to the zoo
- $100K for Cecil Street Community Centre
- $32K for Neighbourhood Climate Action Grants
- $30K for Weston Area Emergency Supports
- $75K for Weston Community Association
- $35K for fireworks at Mel Lastman Square
Even more Carroll motions:
- $45K for banners in Little Iran
- $80K for Malvern community initiatives
- $15K for vehicle theft prevention pilot
- $150K parks in Don Valley West
- $100K for drop-in centres
- $185K for legal services for tenants
And yet more motions from Carroll:
- $7K for Thorncliffe Park Sports
- $50K for micromobility in Greektown
- $90K for pest removal at Toronto Seniors Housing.
"There's nothing there! Nothing but the hiring plan and the collective bargaining agreement," says Carroll of the police budget increase. She says that's also true of many other departments.
"I hope you will keep that in mind and not plunder these budgets," she adds.
Councillor Holyday has three motions, all in service of reducing draws on reserve funds:
- Eliminate the new fare capping policy on TTC
- Start charging fares for kids under 12
- Increase TTC fares
Councillor Mike Colle takes a moment to encourage people to visit their local Italian bakery.
And that, appropriately, brings us to lunch. Back at 2 p.m. to polish off this budget debate.
Councillor Lily Cheng laments that "every year I have to advocate for economic and cultural investments" in North York Centre.
She warns that without those investments, the North York Centre Secondary Plan and resulting population growth will turn the area into a "vertical suburb."
Bradford calls Chow's budget "financial malpractice."
"This budget is mortgaging the city's future to make an election-year budget look better on paper today."
"I do have an announcement for everyone — it's raining!" says Councillor Fletcher, metaphorically. "We have somebody south of the border creating a lot of storms!"
She points to tariffs and the economic situation as reasons to prioritize affordability in this budget.
Matt Elliott
