Ward 4 (Toronto) Budget Town Hall – January 18, 2022 – 7:00pm : Message from Ward 4 Councillor Gord Perks

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I subscribe to email updates from Ward 4 Councillor Gord Perks’s Ward Office. Below is a recent message from the Councillor’s Ward Office:

Ward 4 Budget Town Hall – January 18th, 7:00pm

Yesterday, the City released the proposed 2022 Operating and Capital Budgets. Staff presentation is available here: https://bit.ly/staffpresbudget2022 and full meeting can be viewed here: https://bit.ly/budgetjan132022

With the full text released just yesterday there are still a lot of details to be examined over the next couple of days. At first glance, this is yet another austerity budget, with priorities that do not match those of our community. While Toronto Police Services is receiving an above inflation increase, there is no additional funding for Vision Zero, to make our streets safer. We are not making the investment necessary to replace our ageing bus fleet, ignoring the climate goals we set just last month. For the fourth year in a row, the Housing Commissioner has not been funded.

Despite the pandemic, the City must move forward, and this budget does not do that. The transit crisis, the shelter crisis, the affordable housing crisis, and the lack of movement on our environmental goals are not being properly addressed.

If, like me, you think changes need to be made, there are many opportunities to let your voice be heard. First, I’d like to invite you to my Community Budget Town Hall on Tuesday, January 18 at 7:00 pm. At this meeting we will be going over what is proposed, what is not included, and how you can be involved in moving the conversation forward. To register, please visit: https://bit.ly/Budgettownhall

You can also share feedback on the staff-recommended budgets with the Budget Committee by registering to speak at its meetings on January 24 and 25, or by submitting written comments by email or mail. Speakers are asked to register by 4:30 p.m. on January 21 by emailing buc@toronto.ca or call 416-392-4666.

More information about the City’s budget, details on meetings and reports as well as how you can get involved is available at Toronto.ca/Budget