Mayor’s executive committee approves 2018 budget

By Momin Qureshi and News Staff

The mayor’s executive committee met on Tuesday to put the final touches on the 2018 budget, before it’s sent to city council for approval next week.

Mayor John Tory is promising this budget will include millions in new spending, while keeping taxes at the rate of inflation.

“We have to do our part to keep the city affordable while at the same time we are adding 20,000 new rec spaces, we are investing millions of dollars more in the transit system, we are investing millions more in child care, all of our poverty reduction initiatives are funded, we are introducing a low income transit fare.”

The members were asked to adopt the new tax rates, which include a 2.1 per cent increase to residential taxes and a 1 per cent commercial tax rate increase. As well, they approved an additional special general tax levy dedicated for priority transit and housing capital projects.

The almost $12-billion budget will have $9-million to improve traffic measures, including $2-million for traffic wardens.

“I think when we actually deploy these traffic wardens into the streets, which will happen this spring, that it will make a difference,” Tory said.

“We wouldn’t be doing it if it wouldn’t make a difference.”

But while Tory is singing the budget’s praises, some councillors continue to be critical, saying it’s holding the city back.

Advocates for the city’s homeless said that while there is money in the budget for shelter spaces, it’s not enough to deal with the city’s ongoing crisis and more action needs to be taken now.

Top Stories

Top Stories

Most Watched Today