Ward 6, City budget information meeting, Jan. 9, 2013 at 7:00 pm. Speaker is Councillor Shelley Carroll
Following message is from Michael Craig of Sixth Street
Dear Friends of Social, Recreational and HUMAN Services in South Etobicoke,
Because we love our city and south Etobicoke, we must take action collectively to convince City Council, and Councillor Grimes in particular, NOT to balance the city budget on the backs of our most vulnerable citizens.
We invite you to attend a
Budget Information Meeting
Wednesday, January 9 at 7:00 p.m.
East Hall at the Assembly Hall
1 Colonel Samuel Smith Park Drive
(Kipling Ave. & Lake Shore Blvd. W.)
Also, please publicize the meeting by sending this email and flyer to everyone you know and work with in Ward 6.
So why is this important?
The 2013 City Budget debate has been raging at City Hall for the past month. Although the projected deficit or budget shortfall is not as scary as it was a year ago, many provisions of the proposed budget will have an extremely negative impact on services in Ward 6 and across Toronto.
For example:
- TTC – the budget foresees an increase in fares (already among the highest in North America) and no improvement in service to south Etobicoke.
- The budget for affordable housing has been cut in half, with a 16% funding cut for shelter, support and housing; meanwhile at least 70,000 people are on waiting lists for subsidized housing.
- For the third year we face a funding freeze on CPIP (Community Partnership and Investment Program) grants; to match inflation $2.8 million more is needed for CPIC.
- Cuts to recreation programs (called $3 million in “efficiencies”) will reduce quality and access.
Come out on January 9 to learn about sensible alternatives to budget cuts for social services.
Our speaker Councillor Shelley Carroll, the former budget chief will be informative and engaging. Councillor Mark Grimes has been invited to attend, though he declined to co-sponsor this event. For further information, please call me.
Michael Craig
56 Sixth Street
Toronto, ON M8V 3A2
416-723-5691
I note with pleasure the meeting on Janaury 9, 2013 at the Assembly Hall.
I also note that the budget for affordable housing has been chopped. That is quite a setback, considering all of the social problem contained within any community housing, more specifically the public housing within the City of Toronto.
Community Housing also needs advocates to bring in social workers to handle the festering problems contained therein: metal illness, ageism, accessibility, nursing homes, etc. Where does the city think the money is coming from?
Alan
I’m pleased to know there is interest in this meeting.
I’m looking forward to attending.