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. www.youtube.com/watch?v=9HA3...
The meeting begins with Mayor Olivia Chow at the lectern, paying tribute to Vivian Perks, the mother of Councillor Gord Perks. She died recently. "Viv will be remembered for improving the lives of those around her with warmth and kindness," the mayor says.
The Speaker reminds Council of the rules of this meeting, which changed with the "strong mayor" legislation. Councillors can propose amendments to Chow's budget, but there won't be a vote on whether to approve the budget as a whole. It'll be deemed adopted following the end of the meeting.
Budget deliberations begin with Councillor Holyday, who has questions. He gets the TTC to confirm there's a $35 million reserve draw in their budget. Holyday then suggests this reserve draw wouldn't be necessary if TTC just increased fares and reversed policies like fare capping and kids-ride-free.
CFO Stephen Conforti says there's about $1.7 billion in reserve draws in this budget, about $400 million more than last year. Conforti says that $400 million is driven by FIFA and election costs and provincial funds for shelter costs that were temporarily stashed in a reserve fund.
Pasternak asks the burning question: why hasn't the province formally taken over ownership of the Gardiner and the DVP yet? It's been a couple of years. City Manager says "due diligence" is done, but "final uploading of this will take some time." There are "operational issues" to work through.
Some news: City Manager Paul Johnson says a contribution agreement from the province to provide $97 million for FIFA costs is "headed my way today" and he'll be signing it shortly.
Pasternak thanks the police for their "great work" then asks about protests in the city, which have cost the cops $44 million in recent years. "This doesn't sound like peaceful assembly," says Pasternak. "Can we keep hiding behind the charter while this is going on on our streets?"
"I would hardly characterize us as 'hiding behind the charter'," says police rep in response to Pasternak. "But rather protecting the charter. And respecting the charter."
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.
Councillor Shelley Carroll asks the police about their budget increase. The cops say the entire 7% increase is going to their multi-year hiring plan and paying for costs related to their collective bargaining agreement. "90% of the police budget is labour."
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."
Myers asks the TTC about their "fare evasion target." TTC rep Josh Colle says the TTC "recaptured" about $14 million in revenue via their fare enforcement strategy last year, total annual estimated "lost revenue" down to $121 million, from $141 million at time of last audit a few years ago.
Councillor Burnside asks how much it would cost the city to have a city-wide snow removal service. Staff say a complete snow removal contract was estimated at $130 million a year, but that estimate was based on ~55 cm of snow per season and we've had 90 cm so far this winter.
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.
Councillor Colle asks about the city's development charge reserves, noting that some developers have been "crying the blues" and saying the city is "sitting" on big reserves. CFO says, indeed, there's $2.5 billion in the reserve, but $6.5 billion in projects that need to be funded with DCs.
"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.
"I can speak specifically to Taylor Swift," says CFO Stephen Conforti. He means in terms of her economic impact. He's not calling her up. Conforti notes the Eras tour concerts in T.O. brought in $40 million in tax revenue, but Toronto only got ~$500K.
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.
Conforti offers an example: over the last 9 years, the average Toronto household's income tax payments increased by about $ 9,000. Their property tax payments grew by $914.
Mayor Chow is up to speak on her budget. She recounts a tale of going grocery shopping with a resident named Natasha, and seeing her struggle with the prices. "We were told the number one priority from the residents that we represent is that they need this budget to make their life affordable."
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
Moving on, Chow notes that she recently gave PM Carney a card for the Chinese New Year with a house on it. Inside, she wrote a message about building fast. (It's the year of the horse, and horses are fast, she explains.)
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 Holyday requests that the City Clerk install a red warning light on the desks of councillors. "I want that red light to show that the gas tank is empty. We're running on fumes. That's the fuel warning light — that we're drawing down on reserves to make the budget appear as it does here."
On behalf of Deputy Mayor Malik, who is not in the chamber, Councillor Morley moves to add $450K to fix up the Amsterdam Bridge on the waterfront, and $2.125 million to revitalize Victoria Memorial Square. Both funded via dev fees.
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.
Council is back. Councillor James Pasternak moves to remove $4 million in near-term funding for a new homeless shelter on Wilson Avenue, saying the project needs more time for consultation.
"We're the leading producer of housing in this country, yet we were cut by $10 million from the Housing Accelerator Fund based on a petty dispute over sixplexes," complains Pasternak.
Pasternak ends by apologizing to the police for his earlier question about "hiding behind the charter." He says he has "high regard for them and high respect for their work."
Bravo asks Pasternak if he's concerned that his motion could delay the opening of the Wilson Ave shelter by 12-18 months, and/or force the city to break design and construction contracts, and/or cost $340K per month as the city is forced to shelter people in hotels. Pasternak is not concerned.
Here's my ongoing motion tracker for this city budget debate, if you want to play along at home. I'll update it with motions as they come and the results of the votes when we finally get there. datawrapper.dwcdn.net/GqDUo/2/
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."
"There have some people that are saying, 'OK, the police budget, why did you increase it?'" notes Councillor Mike Colle. "And I say, 'Where the heck have you been?' The policework has meant there's a significant decrease in criminal activity in Toronto."
Councillor Parthi Kandavel moves a pair of motions: one to accelerate playground and splashpad construction at Bluffer's Park, and one to speed up a rec centre project.
Councillor Bradford moves to move some capital dollars up to speed up the Main Square Community Centre project.
"Mayor Chow is using one-time reserve draws to paper over operating costs. The same operating costs that she has ballooned since taking office," says Bradford. "It's not that we've never used reserves — it's to the extent and what we are using them for."
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.
Before Council voted on the budget motions, Councillor Mike Colle declares a conflict of interest on any TTC-related portions and says he won't vote on those parts. His son Josh works for the TTC.
Councillor Stephen Holyday's motion to cancel the TTC's new fare capping program FAILS 3-21.
Holyday's motion to change TTC policy so kids under 12 have to pay fares FAILS 1-23.
Councillor James Pasternak's motion to delay funding for the new Wilson Ave shelter FAILS 5-20.
Councillor Bradford's motion to accelerate the Main Square Community Centre Redevelopment Design project CARRIES 25-0.
And that completes the debate on the mayor's budget. Unless Chow vetoes any of the amendments — and she won't — it'll be deemed adopted shortly. But we're not done yet. There's still the not-so-small matter of approving the tax rates. secure.toronto.ca/council/agen...
On the tax rate item, Councillor Carroll moves an expected motion to increase the tax break for small businesses from 15% to 20%. The money will be offset by a larger increase to larger businesses in the commercial property tax class.
Carroll also moves for the City Manager to continue with his rolling review of programs to look for more savings. And for the feds to continue funding youth violence programs. And for a review of eligibility for the small biz tax class.
"We promised that we would work on paying the COVID bill, and then we would stabilize. And as a result, you have one of the most reasonable property tax increases anywhere in the GTHA. Others are not finished paying their COVID bill!" says budget chief Shelley Carroll.
"If you're worried about our reserves, I don't think the public should come away from watching this little TV show on YouTube without remembering we have almost $10 billion in reserve. Almost 10 billion dollars!" says Carroll.
Councillor Myers moves for a report as part of next year's budget on ways to improve the working relationship between the TTC and City Hall. He says that could include the city attaching KPIs to the operating subsidy, and the TTC formalizing requests for what they need to meet those KPIs.
The budget motion tracker has been updated with the vote results. datawrapper.dwcdn.net/GqDUo/5/
Councillor Josh Matlow moves for the City Manager to start negotiations on getting the city a share of the HST. He doesn't offer a speech, though. I guess it speaks for itself.
Councillor Morley moves for reports on ways to improve drop-in sites for homeless people and options for providing better snow-clearing for seniors and people with disabilities.
Councillor Pasternak has FOUR motions. ("It was a late night," he says.) 1. Report on creating a "Major Gifts Office" 2. Accelerate design for Downsview Community Centre 3. Report on DVP/Gardiner negotiation status 4. "Vigorously" oppose $10 million cut to the federal Housing Accelerator Fund
Councillor Burnside moves to ask the TTC to consider increasing fares by ten cents, with the extra revenue going toward providing better service and expanding eligibility for the low-income Fair Pass.
Councillor Bradford moves to increase the tax break for small businesses to 25%. "I don't think small businesses want half measures. I think they deserve our whole-hearted support."
Councillor Bravo has a VERY interesting motion. She wants the police to report on how much the Toronto Police have saved via moves like the establishment of the community crisis service and the transfer of the crossing guard program from the cops to city hall.
Councillor Anthony Perruzza continues his annual tradition of asking the provincial government if Toronto can just keep the education portion of the property tax. Running up that hill.
Immediate loud GROANS from councillors as Councillor Stephen Holyday stands up and moves to bring back mechanical leaf collection.
Credit where it's due: "Guy who is skeptical of every single government service except the truck that drives around with a big vacuum to suck up the leaves" is a good, unique character for this drama.
Councillor Paula Fletcher moves for a report on a "long-term, sustainable future" for the Applegrove Community Centre.
Councillor Crisanti moves for a report on offering discounted off-peak and weekend rides for seniors using Wheel-Trans.
Time to vote! The end is night. But there are lots of motions, so council takes a five-minute recess to let the clerk get everything in order.
(The end is NIGH, I meant. But "the end is night" seems kind of poetic? Eh, I'll leave it.)
Councillor Brad Bradford's motion to increase the small biz property tax break to 25% (instead of 20%) FAILS 5-20.
Councillor Carroll's motion to increase the small biz property tax break to 20% CARRIES 23-2.
Councillor Matlow's motion requesting the City Manager start negotiations on getting Toronto a slice of HST revenue CARRIES 24-1.
Councillor Morley's motions to report on ways to improve conditions at drop-in sites and offer better snow clearing services for seniors CARRY 24-1.
Councillor Pasternak's motion to tell the federal government that the city "vigorously opposes" the $10 million cut to the Housing Accelerator Fund that came following council's refusal to legalize sixplexes citywide CARRIES 22-3.
Councillor Bravo's motion requesting the police explain the budget impacts of various moves in recent years to transfer services from the cops to city hall CARRIES 23-2.
Councillor Perruzza's motion requesting the province let the city keep the education portion of property tax revenue CARRIES 22-3.
Councillor Holyday's motion calling for the mayor to consider bringing back mechanical vacuum leaf collection FAILS 9-16. Getting closer.
Councillor Myers' motion to report on formalizing and strengthening the relationship between City Hall and the TTC CARRIES 24-0.
Councillor Burnside's motion requesting the TTC board consider a ten-cent fare increase, with the extra revenue going toward providing more service and expanding eligibility for the low-income fare pass, FAILS 3-20.
Councillor Crisanti's motion for a report on providing seniors with discounted Wheel-Trans rides during off-peak periods CARRIES 19-5.
The property tax rates for 2026, including a 2.2% overall residential increase, are APPROVED by council 21-4.
There was some confusion over what that vote was all about, so council opts for a re-do. On a re-vote, the 2026 property tax rates are APPROVED 19-5.
Budget recommendation to suspend the Toronto Parking Authority's income share agreement, so that all net parking income will now flow direct to City Hall, CARRIES 20-4.
Budget recommendation to request the TPA look at increasing parking rates for 2026 CARRIES 20-4.
Budget recommendation to expand a program offering air conditioners to low-income seniors CARRIES 23-1.
And that's it. The FINAL budget of the 2022-2026 council term is in the books. It's all downhill from here. If you enjoyed this thread and found it illuminating, show your gratitude with a subscription to my newsletter, City Hall Watcher. It keeps me going. toronto.cityhallwatcher.com/subscribe