On Wednesday, January 4, Councillor Pam McConnell co-hosted a town hall meeting with Councillors Kristyn Wong-Tam (Ward 27) and Adam Vaughan (Ward 20) on the City’s 2012 Budgets.  Over 120 residents filled the Council Chamber to learn about the City’s Operating and Capital Budgets and to discuss the impact on our communities.

Residents expressed concern about the affects of arts and culture cuts to the economic development and liveability of Toronto, service reductions to the TTC making it more difficult to get to work or school, new user fees creating barriers to accessing recreation programs, and cuts to library hours and collections.  Cuts to child care, affordable housing, student nutrition programs, and community grants were also brought up in the discussion and in the feedback forms.  While everyone agreed that it was important to find efficiencies and ensure that tax dollars are well-spent, cuts should not be made at the expense of children and the vulnerable.

Residents insisted that the City must improve its revenue stream.  Participants talked about the need to retain the Municipal Land Transfer Tax and to increase property taxes to pay for programs.  Many brought up the need to reinstate the Personal Vehicle Tax, which Council repealed in 2010, and to find more ways to raise revenues. 

View the PowerPoint presentation on the Budgets.

Read the handout from the meeting, outlining some of the service reductions.

Everyone was encouraged to talk with friends, relatives, and work colleagues about their vision for Toronto and the services and programs that are necessary to build a healthy city.