City of Toronto  
HomeContact UsHow Do I...?Advanced search
Living in TorontoDoing businessVisiting TorontoAccessing City Hall
 
Accessing City Hall
Mayor
Councillors
Meeting Schedules
   
   
  City of Toronto Council and Committees
  All Council and Committee documents are available from the City of Toronto Clerk's office. Please e-mail clerk@city.toronto.on.ca.
   

 

April 21, 1998



To:Strategic Policies and Priorities Committee

From:City Clerk

Subject:Summary of Deputations on 1998 Capital and Operating Budgets

Recommendations:

The Budget Committee on April 20, 1998, recommended to the Strategic Policies and Priorities Committee, and Council, that:

(1)as previously recommended, the funding requests for the Cedarvale and McCormick Recreation Centres and the Eatonville Library be considered in the context of the five-year Capital Plan and a report be submitted to the Budget Committee no later than October 1998;

(2)the grant requests for Serena Toronto and the Toronto Arts Council be referred to the Municipal Grants Review Committee; and

(3)all other issues referred to the report (April 17, 1998) from the Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer be received.

Background:

The Budget Committee on April 20, 1998, had before it a report (April 17, 1998) from the Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer summarizing the budgetary implications of responses from deputants to the Committee of the Whole of Council held on April 14 and 15, 1998.

City Clerk

Barbara Liddiard/rc/cp

Item No. 20

Attachment

 c.Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer

Chief Administrative Officer

Municipal Grants Review Committee

Mr. Shekhar Prasad, Finance Department.



(Report dated April 17, 1998, addressed to the Budget Committee from the Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer)

Purpose:

To summarize the budgetary implications of responses from deputants to the Committee of the Whole of Council held on April 14 and 15, 1998 for consideration of the Budget Committee.

Financial Implications:

Any funding changes made as a result of the information in this report would affect the 1998 Operating and Capital Budgets, respectively, as recommended by the Budget Committee at its meeting of March 31 and April 2 and 3, 1998.

Recommendations:

It is recommended that the Budget Committee consider the specific funding issues raised by deputants as contained in this report and make recommendations to Council through the Strategic Policies and Priorities Committee as it deems appropriate.

Council Reference:

During its special meeting of April 14 and 15, 1998, Council heard from deputants with respect to the 1998 Capital and Operating Budgets. Both budgets are scheduled to be before Council for formal debate at its meeting scheduled for April 28, 1998.

Discussion:

The Attachment to this report contains a brief synopsis of the issues raised by each of the deputants and an indication of the resolution or disposition of those issues in the context of the budgets as currently recommended by the Budget Committee. Specific funding recommendations made by the deputants and relevant background for the consideration of the Budget Committee is summarized below.

(1)Day Care Issues

The primary issue raised by the deputants with respect to child care issues is the re-investment of a $12 million Awindfall@ received by the former Metro back into the child care program. As well, certain deputants wished to expand the number of day care spaces by the filling of 2,000 vacancies, and expressed concern over the pressures facing the child care program, e.g. pay equity costs and the fact that per diems costs paid to operators had not been increased over the past several years.

During 1997, as a result of the Provincial change to Regulation 262, the former Metro received unanticipated financial relief totalling approximately $14 million. The Province would contribute a greater proportion of the child care program costs by virtue of the fact that Metro was now able to retain 100% of user fees (as opposed to having the user fees shared 80%:20% with the Province, as was previously the case). However, the Regulation also required that the City must maintain the number of subsidized fee spaces at 24,216.

As part of the 1997 Operating Budget process, approximately half of the $14 million was applied immediately to child care and used to fund some child care expansion in the Ontario Works program, to establish a child care capital reserve of $1 million, and to eliminate the arbitrary minimum user fee of $1.00 per day per child. While the balance was used to address budget pressures on the mill rate, Council nevertheless Areserved@ $7.43 million within the 1997 Corporate Contingency Account for possible child care uses later in the year. In fact, in September, Council approved a strategy to use these monies, which focused on one-time assistance to operators and providers of subsidized child care to provide help with program expenses and costs associated with property operators.

The 1998 funding for child care, as recommended by the Budget Committee, maintains the 1997 service levels and the number of child care spaces at the required 24,216.

(2)Request for Recreational Facilities

(1)Cedarvale Recreational Centre

(2)McCormick Recreational Centre

Mr. Kalevar addressed City Council advising of his petition from over 1,000 residents in support of building a recreation centre in Cedarvale Park. It was also suggested that at a minimum, a clubhouse and washrooms should be provided for local residents.

The recommended 1998 Parks and Recreation Capital Budget does not include any funding for the this project nor has this project been identified in future year projections. The Budget committee has recommended that the Cedarvale Recreation Centre be referred for consideration with the Parks and Recreation five-year capital works programme to be developed by September 1998.

Toronto Community Council, at its meeting of March 27, 1998, recommended that $350,000 for the design work for McCormick Recreation Centre be accelerated to 1998. The Budget Committee has recommended that the McCormick Recreation Centre project be referred for consideration with the Parks and Recreation five- year capital works programme requested for Budget Committee=s consideration in September 1998.

(3)Transportation / Cycling / Environment Issues

The primary issues raised in the above areas include that Council re-consider the $30 million request for the demolition of the east end of the Gardiner Expressway and the capital budget reduction of $500,000 for High Occupancy Volume lanes be re-instated in the 1998 Capital Budget.

Other issues expressed through the deputation process relate primarily to review of transportation systems and policies, which may not have immediate budget implications but which will require future consideration. Some specific concerns / issues raised include:



  • Introduction of toll roads for main highways;
  • Improvement to Public Transit;
  • Expansion of bike paths in the City;
  • Ensure pedestrian safety issues (ie sidewalk users, cyclist safety) are addressed through better education, improved signage;
  • Consider environmentally friendly alternatives in developing policies (ie promote walking, cycling, use of transit);
  • Support demonstrated for Toronto Atmospheric Fund=s arm=s length relationship with the City.

(4)Public Health Services

In summary, the majority of the deputants, commended the Budget Committee for not reducing Public Health services in 1998; and for expanding the Healthy Births, Healthy Parenting and School Food programs.

The Budget Committee was requested to recommend that Community Health Grants be maintained at 1997 levels; and, that future budgets maintain the current level of Health Services - the programs / services specifically mentioned were:

 

  • Dental Care for low income seniors
  • High Risk Pregnant Women
  • Mental illness
  • Disease & other prevention programs
  • Child nutrition
  • Aids and Sexual Health
  • Needle exchange
  • Enforcement of Food Regulations & Inspections
  • Wellness promotion

Grant to Serena Toronto - ($5,000) - Recommended Reduction Proposal

One of the deputants requested re-instatement of $3.5 thousand for Serena Toronto. Reduction proposal # 14 recommends that the $5,000 grant paid to Serena Toronto be discontinued in 1998. The grant was paid in-lieu of counseling services offered with respect to natural child births. Public Health staff have taken the position that this service is an enhancement to the counseling services already provided in-house and therefore brought it forward as a reduction proposal which could be supported.

(5)Animal Services

The issues raised included:

 

  • Giving the Toronto Humane Society Business Plan proposal fair consideration
  • Maintaining the status quo ie. in York and East York and allow for community input
  • Supporting an independent 3rd party review of animal services delivery in Toronto
  • No contracting out of services - maintain in-house
  • Do not allow for one provider of shelter services
  • Revisit policy respecting the (former) City of Toronto Park Patrol Service ($181,000)

The Animal Services 1998 Recommended Budget provides the necessary funds to maintain the status quo with respect to the operations of its animal shelters and the full year=s funding for the Toronto Humane Society Contract.

The issues noted above should be deferred for consideration with the independent report requested of the Chief Administrative Officer which will be reviewing animal services across the entire City

 (6)Housing

The primary issue raised by the deputants who spoke in support of the Housing program was the preservation of public housing (including maintaining service and funding levels), and the opposition to any sale/privatization of social housing units (a Provincial issue with respect to the potential privatization of 7,000 units). The deputants also requested that tenants be included in all decision-making processes.

The 1998 recommended budget for the Housing Program maintains services at the 1997 levels. Any recommended reductions have resulted from efficiencies (implementation of best practices, elimination of duplication upon amalgamation, restructuring), and are therefore not expected to impact operations.

(7)Cultural Grant to Toronto Arts Council

In keeping with the general understanding that the grants= programs for the City of Toronto will be maintained at the 1997 level, the 1998 grant level to the Toronto Arts Council, as recommended in the operating budget, for both the administration and the cultural grant component of the Cultural grants have been sustained at the 1997 level.

The Toronto Arts Council will assume the responsibility for providing grants to individual artists throughout the new City of Toronto. The TAC is requesting an additional requirement of $250,000 to provide the same service levels to individual artists throughout the new City of Toronto, beyond its former boundaries.

The issue of service levels must be determined in context with both priorities of the New City of Toronto and funding availability. The Municipal Grants Review Committee is in the process of reviewing current policies and practices of the former municipalities, in order to implement common principles for the municipal grants policies. In addition, given the current corporate pressures it is premature to allocate any additional funding.

It is therefore recommended that the TAC in consultation with appropriate City officials, review the issue of service leveling of grants to individual artists and report its findings to the Municipal Grants Review Committee and the Budget Committee, in September, prior to the commencement of the 1999 operating budget.

(8)Property Tax Issues

The deputants expressed their common concern respecting the impact of assessment reform and tax policy changes on the residential and commercial property classes. The points raised included favouring a tax freeze for all homeowners, repealing the Current Value Assessment (CVA) system, and creating new property classes to avoid significant shifts in taxes. Several deputants indicated their support of tax rebates for charitable organizations, and property tax relief for seniors.

An Assessment and Tax Policy Task Force has been established and is currently considering various tax policy options available to the City to deal with the tax impacts resulting from assessment reform. These options include the phase-in of increases and decreases, tax relief for low-income seniors and low-income disabled persons, tax rebates for charitable and similar organizations, as well as the recently introduced option of capping tax increases to 2.5 percent for the commercial, industrial, and commercial-residential property classes, and creation of new sub-classes of property.

Conclusions:

The deputants that appeared in front of the Committee of the Whole of Council on April 14 and 15, 1998 made a number of specific recommendations with respect to the 1998 Capital and Operating Budgets. Budget Committee will debate these items at its meeting on April 20, 1998 and will make recommendations as it deems appropriate for the formal Council debate on the budgets scheduled for April 28, 1998.

Contact Name:

Shekhar Prasad, 392-8095

W. A. Liczyk

Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer



 April 14, 1998Appendix

 

    Name  Issue  Resolution/Disposition
 2:00 - 3:00 p.m.      
 1  Eric Greenspoon

President, Noise Watch, Toronto

 Noise pollution/noise by-law enforcement. 1997 City level would mean $2.7million new City-wide  Funding consistent with 1997 level. Matters of policy Service Level is an issue for Corporation as a whole.
 2  Susan Serran, Co-Chair, Arts Vote Steering Comm., Toronto  Supports separate Culture Div., arms-length arts grants; flat line cultural grants  Grants sustained at 1997 level. The TAC who has responsibility of delivery grants, does have an arms length agreement with the city.
 3  Norman Seagram, Chair, Board of Directors, Harbourfront, Toronto  No risk, no art-no life . Does not want grants cut below last year=s level.

 

 Grants sustained at 1997 level.

     

 4  Angela Lee, Freelance Artist, Toronto  Maintain and build on the arts budget

 

 Grants flat-lined

  

 5  Martha J. Durdin, Board Member, Council for Business and the Arts in Canada, Toronto  Maintain current level of support for the arts.  Grants flat-lined

    

 6  Stephanie Lundy & Livine Solomon, Grade 11 Arts Advantage Media Class, Downsview Scondary School, Downsview  Without the arts our world could be as blank as the inside of a cardboard box.  Grants flat-lined.
 7  Paul Gross, Actor, Toronto  Protect the long standing support of Metro and the previous City of Toronto to the Arts.  Grants flat lined.
 8  Spyros Volonakis, Chair, Child Care Advisory Committee, Toronto  Pressure on Child Care Centres because of Provincial actions and freezing of the per diem rates by the former Metro. Wants $12 million put into contingency for child care purpose.  $12 million was a one time windfall in 1997 and most of that money was made available to the day care community in 1997 and is not available in 1998.
 9  William Doyle-Marshall, Toronto  In support of Carribana Festival.  Dealt at Council Meeting of April 16, 1998.
 3:00 - 4:00 p.m.      
 10  Cheryl MacDonald, Toronto Coalition for Better Child Care, Toronto  Wants 2000 vacant day care spaces to be filled. Wants savings in Social Assistance to be used for child care. Wants $12 million raised from user fees to be used for this purpose.  The user fee revenue is being used for Child Care purpose to maintain the same number of spaces and same level of city funding as last year.
 11  Steve Ellis, Toronto  Establish an office of assessment review board to help the provincial assessment office understand the problems.   
 12  Manny Drukier, Vice-President, Avenue Road Davenport Business Association, Toronto  Wants an advisory committee comprised of previous mayors to be setup to look at devolution of process and cut back on infrastructure spending .  Funding maintained at a level that maintains service levels pending review of restructuring and alternative service delivery options.
 13  Oudit Raghubir, Scarborough  Concerned about day care centres in schools and lack of funding for pay equity pressures and low level for the per diem.   
 14  Christine Taylor, Director, Kensington Day care Centre, Toronto  Per diem fees should be raised to cover real cost of day care. Wants the $12 million to be used for reinvestment in day care .  There is no $12 million available to be used towards the pressures identified.
 15  Ms. Virginia Thompson, Junction Day Care, Toronto  Make all budget meetings open to the public. Allow deputants at all budget meetings. Wants the City to take the provincial loan and grant and make available any available funds to the needy programs.  Budget meetings are public meetings, and there is a process for deputants.
 16  Ms. Karen Wirsig, Metro Network for Social Justice, Toronto  Absent   
 17  Dr. Marian Joppe, Chair, Heritage Toronto, Toronto  Value of volunteer sector pegged at $40 million. Do not sacrifice heritage. Find ways to help the volunteer sector.  Heritage issues continues to be a priority for the City.
 18  Ms. Elizabeth Ingolfsrud, Chair, Etobicoke Historical Board, Toronto  Absent   
 19  Mr. Joe Gill, Chair, The Friends of Fort York, Toronto  Absent   
 20  Mr. Tim Burns, St. Lawrence Neighbourhood Association, Toronto  Supports no increase in user fees for the Community Centres.  User fees maintained at last year=s level.
 4:00 - 5:00 p.m.      
 21  Mr. Dale Ritch, Toronto  In favour of a tax freeze for all homeowners.

How much extra money is the City getting from the removal of the business occupancy tax?

Use the 1997 assessment roll and mill rate to create the 1998 tax bills.

Reject CVA.

  
 22  Mr. Basil Mustafa, Cross-Cultural Communication Centre, Toronto  Stop funding cuts for anti-racism work.

Statistics indicate that racism is on the increase.

Need funding more than ever before, because in the year 2000, 54% of Toronto residents will be racial minorities.

  
 23  Ms. Salome Lukas, Women Working with Immigrant Women, Toronto  Concerned that programs for women and women of colour are being eliminated.

Concerned that access and equity to services is a right.

 Grant programs sustained at 1997 levels.
 24  Mr. Jim D=Orazio, Board Member, Metro Toronto Sewer and Watermain Contractors Association, Mississauga  Concerned with the standardization of service contracts.

Private industry supports the standardization of service contracts.

Recommendation: Use of ADR processes (equitable dispute resolution);

Use of best practices based on national and international standards.

 To be forwarded to the Engineering Working Group within Works and Transportation for consideration as a new standardized contract is being developed for the new City.
 25  Ms. Ann Fitzpatrick, Public Housing Fight Back, Toronto  Wants the preservation of public housing stock.

Support no sale of social housing.

Recommend Province stop its plan to sell off housing and scatter units.

Hold the Province to their promise to audit the social housing stock and to bring them up to a certain standard.

  
 26  Mr. Vance Latchford, Toronto  Concerned with the private management model for social housing.

Qualifications of the Management companies is uneven and therefore, the quality of services is uneven. We have a greater need for service in this area.

Council to endorse a communication mechanism to include tenants in decision making.

Communicate to the Province Council=s displeasure with their housing policy to privatize the 7000 additional housing units, which according to the speaker. We will end up with contracts which tenants have no control.

  
 27  Mr. Cliff Martin, Toronto  Community activist on public housing.

Budget include: front line staff for support programs ie recreation.

Include limited pay support for tenants that fall behind in their rent.

Does not want user fees for youth programs, etc.

 User fees maintained at last years' level.
 28  Ms. Julia McNally, Toronto  Housing crisis in Toronto.

Increase in waiting lists, homeless people.

Federal gov=t downloading to province to municipal.

Solid investment in housing is better than homelessness.

Listen to the tenants in the process of reform.

Provide adequate funds for housing.

Independent audit of social housing.

Maintain frontline services.

Ensure any savings from budget cuts to be put back into housing program.

Oppose the sale of public housing and oppose the privatization of 7000 housing units.

 Grants have been sustained at 1997 level.
 29  Mr. Michael Opera, Toronto  Toronto Property Tax freeze.

Wants mayor to keep election promise for all ratepayers on tax freeze.

City to send out tax bills on 1997 assessment and mill rates.

Deduct any shortfall from education portion we are giving the province.

  
 30  Mr. John Phillips Toronto  Absent   
 31  Mr. Millie Wallace, Toronto  Absent   
 5:00 - 6:00 p.m.      
 32  Ms. Amanda Platt, Toronto  Absent   
 33  Ms. Maria Martella, Toronto  Upper Yonge Village - family owned businesses.

Seeking separate tax class for small businesses.

Concerned with increase of taxes of 2.5% for three years and then uncertainty after that for the development of their business plans.

  
 34  Mr. Martin Ahermaa, Martin Ahermaa Editorial Services, Toronto  Toronto Public Library system

Library should not have budget cuts or user fees.

 All budget reductions and standardization of user fees were recommended by the Library Board, who confirmed that these measures do not result in any negative impact on service levels.
 35  Mr. Rhona Swarbrick, Protect Established Neighbourhoods, Etobicoke  Absent   
 36  Mr. John Banka, Environmentalists Plan Transportation, Toronto  Review and audit Wheeltrans and apply the savings to Wheeltrans budget before applying to TTC deficit.

 

  
 37  Ms. Natalie Litwin, Transportation 2000, Toronto  Urban cars produce most emission.

Do not build any more parking garages and charge more for parking.

Spend more on public transit.

Rescind former City of Toronto by law which requires theatres to provide parking.

  
 38  Mr. Ian Wheal, Toronto Field Naturalists, Toronto  Absent   
 39  Ms. Peg Lush, Feet on the Street, Toronto  Support the furthering of rights, safety and health of sidewalk users.

 

  
 40  Mr. Bill Brown, Pedestrian Issues Committee  Personally will receive assessment reduction relating to Metro Traffic policy.

$500,000 shortfall city subsidy to people who drive their cars.

Stop financing auto--review traffic policies. Support public transit.

  
 41  Ms. Andrea Rutty, Toronto  Absent   
 42  Ms. Joan Doiron, Toronto  Spok to Toronto=s wealth. Wealth in cities decline as people use more cars. Promote public transit and increase the city=s wealth. Decrease people=s use of cars.

Use budget to realize Official Plan objectives. Stop road widening. Stop subsidy to cars. Promote walking and cycling. Increase car parking fees, no new parking facilities. No subsidy to Island Airport.

  
 6:00 - 6:30 p.m.      
 43  Ms. Anne Collins, President, Toronto Arts Council, Toronto  City should hold the line on grants budget to give organizations some stability in difficult times. NO increase in their administration budget.

Would like to top up their grants budget by $250,000.

1,900 more artists would apply from outside the former City of Toronto boundaries. Without top up can=t deal with extra demand.

 The $250,000 is not included in the recommended budget because it would be an increase to the base funding given to TAC in 1997.
 44  Ms. Elizabeth Cinello, Toronto  Artist - Speak to $250,000 top up. Former City of York. Would appreciate access to $250,000 top up in grant.

 

  
 45  Ms. Wendy Lilly, Toronto  Artist-Former City of Etobicoke. Would appreciate access to this $250,000 top up in grant.   
 46  Ms. Jill McLean, Woodgreen Community Centre, Toronto  Single parent- Day care subsidies and student loans. Day care considers OSAP as income but not student loan. She now has to pay back the student loan with interest plus still paying day care.   
 47  Mr. Colin Hughes Chairperson, Metro Campaign 2000, Toronto  To end child poverty.

Eliminate users fees for recreation programs.

Maintain community grants.

Reinvest savings from decrease in welfare rolls to child care.

Set aside 2.5 M to extend healthy babies program.

Preventive services leveled up.

Designated child=s levy or fund to support children=s programs.

  
 8:00 - 9:00 p.m.      
 48  Ms. Joan Wood, Toronto  Absent   
 49  Mr. Mike Moraites, Toronto  Absent   
 50  Ms. Kathy Stephenson, Community Member, Woodgreen Community Centre, Toronto  concern regarding funding cut to

Centre

 Same level of funding as in 1997. Part of Facilities Budget.
 51  Ms. Elma Stephenson, Toronto  concern related to funding cut to Woodgreen Centre    
 52  Mr. Howard Tessler, Federation of Metro Toronto Tenants Foundation, Toronto  spokesperson on behalf of deputant.

telephone program - increased usage.

continue funding at last years= level.

$50 thousand - hotline, website, court action monitoring.

 

 purchase of service

 funding not purchase of services related to tenant issues to be referred to grant committee

 53  Ms. Gail Hawkins, Toronto  Toronto Humane Society -proposal should be given proper and fair review.

 

  
 54  Mr. Richard Griffith, Toronto Food Policy Council, Agincourt  Food Policy - continue grant  Grant maintained at last year=s level.
 55  Mr. Simon Cheng, Chinese Interagency Network of Greater Toronto, Toronto  CIN commend Council for not reducing services in 1997/98.

1998 maintain health related programs, especially related to low income seniors for dental care, food programs (grant from food council), for high risk pregnant women, seniors, and the mentally ill.

 Sustain grant at last years= level.

  
 56  Ms. Colleen Gray, Pape Adolescent Resources Centre, Toronto  10 - 19 years of age, provide child programs otherwise not provided from other groups.

- description of Youth and Care

 grants funded at last years= level.
 57  Ms. Dorothy Fletcher, Older Women=s Network, Toronto  S. Waters speaker.

concern with provincial government download. Subsidized housing: requirements exceed the availability of housing.

Tenant Landlord Act: difficulty paying for rent.

Continue to provide funds for non-profit housing. Seek clarification from the province as to the outcome of the Rental Act on those who are on fixed income.

  
 58  Ms. Marsha Watts, East End Community Health Centre, Toronto  Absent   
 9:00 - 10:00 p.m.      
 59  Mr. Brian Mayes, Serve Canada, Toronto  Serve Canada - youth support.

sustain grant to organization.

  
 60  Mr. Alvin Curling, MPP for Scarborough North  Absent   
 61  Mr. Brian Laurence, Toronto      
 62  Terry Venturino, Toronto  Toronto Humane Society - no further funding request.

Discussed proposal. Independent third party review.

 contract maintained as existed in 1997.

 Budget Committee recommending review.

 63  Mr. Ian Stuart, Etobicoke Humane Society, Toronto  Barb Tate

adopt Budget Committee recommendation, sustain York and East York to allow for community input.

 Committee adopt Board of Health budget, savings should be taken from seasonal parks control program for former city of Toronto.

  
 64  Ms. Ainslie Willock, Canadian Alliance for Furbearing Animal, Toronto  How the City will handle complaints related to animals.

Provider: mistake that the THS could handle sheltering for all. Should not reduce the providers to one - single provider.

adopt Budget Committee recommendation - sustain York/East York in 1998

 revised budget be maintained at $4 million, seasonal parks program specific to former city of Toronto

       recommendation in budget

   consistent with recommendation in budget

 65  Mr. Ron Monteigh, St. Lawrence Community Recreation Centre Advisory Council  Does not want user fees.   
 66  Mr. Chai Kalevar, Chair, Arlington Middle School Advisory Council and Students from Arlington Middle School  York - need for a recreation centre.

$58 million for parks & recreation, seeking per centage to implement centre in Cedarville Park.

 minimum club house with washroom.

 Budget Committee recommended that the request for a Recreation Centre be referred for consideration with the Parks and Recreation five year Capital Works Program.
 67  Ms. Linda Pitney, Canadian Coalition Against Fraud, Toronto  Absent   
 68  Mr. Jim Tsaparis, Municipal Citizen Alliance, Toronto  review user fee solution, including no fee increase for one year.   
 69  Mr. Bruno Racovaz, Toronto  Absent   
 69a  Mr. Ross

Snetsinger

Environment Planning Transportation

 Give priority to environmentally friendly alternatives.

Encourage people to leave cars at home.

Don=t wide the roads to increase road capacity.

Improve TTC and GO service.

Encourage business to use rail to move goods.

Plan transportation system.

  
 69b  Mr. Amish Wilson  Collect monies for Sheppard subway construction and put money into reserve fund for TTC to borrow.

Better to stop or delay Sheppard subway rather than starve the existing structure.

Toll roads - 427, DVP, etc.

Set higher tax rates for parking lots.

Lower tax rate for vacant space.

  
 69c  Ms. Zena Onan  Promote and design effectively for pedestrian safety.   
 69d  Mr. Paul Clifford, President of Hotels Association  Tourism will continue to be successful by maintaining services.

Union supports Olympic bid.

Dependent on high quality of day care.

No users fees for recreation programs.

Support Senior=s programs.

Maintain funding for housing. No privatization, no selling of units.

Increase community grants.

Public transit - no fare increase or service decrease.

Support fair wage program.

Support additional $150,000 for Carribana.

Support hotel room levy.

Support full funding of Tourism Toronto.

  
 69 e  Gary Dawson

  

 Consider amount of funding going directly to programs, not administration. Spend tax dollars towards programs. Look at alternative methods to fund programs, rather than tax dollars, eg Corporate funding, transfer of Federal funding directly to City, not through province..   
 69 f  Michael Kerr  City should recognize impact of cuts. spoke on the roundhouse Project   

  G:\GB\BUDGET\LETTERS\APR20\ITEM.20

April 15, 1998

 

    Name  Issue  Resolution/Disposition
 9:30 - 9:50 p.m.      
 70.  Mr. Lee Zaslofsky, Queen West Community Health Centre, Toronto  Citizens for Public Health.

 Thankful that budget for public health not gutted. Thank Council for modest cuts in administration but not in programming areas.

 Challenge is to come up with public health vision for next century i.e. disease prevention wellness promotion.

  
 71.  Ms. Debbie Field, Citizens for Public Health, Toronto  Support the modest expansion in public health budget.

 Continue to allow citizen participation on Board of Health.

 Continue to enforce food regulation and inspection.

 Cautious about cuts to senior mgmt. and administration.

 TAP fund- preserve it.

 Have direct grants to programs.

  
 72.  Mr. Tony Silipo, MPP for Dovercourt, Deputy Leader, NDP, Toronto  Absent.   
 73.  Ms. Maryanne Bedard, Ferncliff Day Care, Toronto  Why after three years of full enrolment continue to run deficit.

 Difference between full fee and subsidized child is $95 a week.

 Need more subsidy to continue to provide this service. Not putting the City=s resources in the right places.

 Direct more resources to areas more highly valued by the people i.e. child care.

  
 74.  Ms. Cheryl De Gras, Pat Schultz Child Care Centre, Toronto  Under threat under two fronts.

 Threat from Province for adult education.

 Threat from the lack of filling empty spaces. Return the $12 million to child care budget to help fill the 2,000 spaces.

 Early Childhood Education-Humber College (unknown deputant).

 Invest in child care so that students in this industry can continue to work in this industry.

  
 10:00 - 11:00 a.m.      
 75.  Mr. Bill Palander, President-Elect, Toronto Real Estate Board, Don Mills  Address property tax reform.

 Three guiding principles:

 (1) Remove uncertainty-people need to know true impact.

 (2) Need to identify those at risk.

 (3) That benefits and costs are not disproportionate for`any one class.

 Creation of new property tax classes could be answer-avoid significant shifts in taxes.

 Definition of small business tax classes is important.

 Should employ phase-in approach.

 Zero tax increases for property homeowners.

 Eliminate development fees.

 Long term solution for true reform is to use current value for current use rather than speculative value.

  
 76.  Ms. Sue Johnston, Co-Ordinator, Orde Daycare, Toronto  Absent.   
 77.  Ms. Susan McCrae Vander Voet, (METRAC), Toronto  Ask for support in continued funding for METRAC and community partners.   
 78.  Mr. Denis Casey, Acting President, CUPE Local 79, Toronto  Represents former City of Toronto and former Metro.

 Support Council=s goal of maintaining service levels to public.

 Staff reductions could jeopardize Council=s goals of maintaining service levels--front-line staff replaced by management staff.

 Urge Council to recognize the important role of staff.

  
 79.  Mr. Okezie Iroaga, Native African Inmates & Families Association, Toronto  Before Council votes on budget consider that access and equity is still not available in this community.

 Few resources available to assist people from minority groups to integrate in community. Please consider programs that help new comers settle in community.

  
 80.  Ms. Cassandra Wong, Director of the Community Development and Social Services Department, University Settlement Recreation Centre, Toronto  Absent.   
 81.  Ms. Marg Cox, Metro Association of Family Resource Program, Toronto  Service downloaded by Province.

 Thank staff in their role for smooth transition.

 Family resource programs have a little funding but do a lot of work. In the business of building healthy communities. Ask Council to advocate with the Province to ensure that they pay their fair share for funding support for family resource programs.

  
 82.  Ms. Elaine Prescod, Co-Chair, Community Reference Group, Scarborough  Recommend and advise that community services and programs not be cut but enhanced.

 That budget process be made accessible and that public be informed so that their input is meaningful.

  
 83.  Ms. Maureen Boulter, Equally Healthy Kids, Toronto  Nutrition programs for children important to learning. Breakfast Clubs help children. Faced decreasing core funding. Used fund raising. In 1998 fund raising goal is $42,000. Adequate and reliable funding is the answer for this child program. Asking Council to support cost sharing model and to fund 24% of the cost of this program.   
 84.  Yan My-Ma and Darleen Wilson, Community Parent, Dundas School Community Breakfast & Lunch Program, Toronto  Ask for Council support in funding food program.   
 85.  Ms. Cynthia Dumont, Scarborough Hunger Coalition and Director, Neighbourhood Services West Scarborough Community Centre, Toronto  Thank Council for $1.2 million commitment to child nutrition programs.   
 11:00 - 12:00 p.m.      
 86.  Ms. Cindy Anthony, East York Kids Community Breakfast Club, Toronto  Ask for stable funding from a number of partners. Thank Council for commitment of $1.2 million for child nutrition program.   
 87.  Mr. Matthew Knight, Student, Ontario Coalition for Student Nutrition, Toronto  Absent.   
 88.  Ms. Fiona Knight, Toronto Community Partners for Children Nutrition, Toronto  Ask to enhance and strengthen support so that no child goes hungry in this City. Applaud and congratulate support of $1.2 million.

 

  
 89.  Ms. Carolyn Egan, Sexual Health Network, Toronto  Overview of sexual health services provided by new City.

 Thank Budget Committee for recommending full funding.

  
 90.  Ms. Amina Rawji, Immigrant Women=s Health Centre, Toronto  Ruby -

Recognize Public Health support in assisting them in running their Drop-in Centres and Health Centres. Continue to fund Public Health and prevention programs.

  
 91.  Ms. Hazelle Palmer, Planned Parenthood of Toronto, Toronto  Absent.   
 92.  Mr. Michael Battista and Juanita Smith, AIDS Community Group - Key Partners Committee, Toronto  Support recommendation of Budget Committee to fund aids and sexual health programs.

Summarized why work is important.

Emphasize importance of continued support for ethno specific groups to allow citizens to access services they need.

  
 93.  Mr. Patrick Evans, Gay Men=s Educators Network (G-MEN), Toronto  Absent.   
 94.  Ms. Jane Cullingworth, Women=s Outreach Network, Voices of Positive Women, Toronto  Absent.   
 95.  Mr. Greg Robinson, AIDS Action Now, Toronto  Absent.   
 96.  Ms. Cheryl White, Harm Reduction Coalition of Ontario - HIV/AIDS Sub-Committee, Toronto  Asking for continued support for funding for needle exchange (drug users) and harm reduction program.   
 12:00 - 12:30 p.m.      
 97.  Mr. Michael Rosenberg, Toronto  Concerned that economic development does not produce economic growth. Doing more does not produce more. Over emphasis on investment and capital projects especially technology. Would like to see investment in housing and TTC.   
 98.  Ms. Andrea Bowker, Toronto  Co-chair Toronto City Cycling Committee.

 Introduce group to Council. Take care of citizen=s concerns over cycling. Committee will work on issues relating to all the former cities and expand their mandate.

Emphasized the importance of City staff to their committee.

  
 99.  Mr. Crowford Murthy, Etobicoke  Metro Separate School Board Rep. on Cycling Committee.

 Canbike Course should be available to all citizens. Bike safety education is important.

Need signage on curb lanes.

More education to taxis and buses.

Bike paths need to be maintained.

Extend the bike lanes. This would be traffic calming device.

Bike paths need to be connected (especially the 401) at a lesser cost than building or widening roads. Encourage bike use.

  
 100.  Mr. Greg Furlong, Song Cycles, Toronto  Business is based on Toronto=s continued support and promotion of cycling.   
 101.  Mr. Sean Wheldrake, Don Mills  Bicycle safety.

Outlined their goals and programs.

  
 2:00 - 3:00 p.m.      
 102.  Ms. Carol Smith, Coalition for Children & Youth, Scarborough  Encourage Council to make children a priority - nutrition, public health, child care, library services, etc. Maintain services at present levels, equalize access across City, add 2,000 spaces, reinvest $ from cuts or fees   
 103.  Mr. Antoni Shelton, Executive Director, Urban Alliance on Race Relations, Toronto  Partnership between City and Urban Alliance. Est. t of Toronto Equity Council; more focussed bureaucratic and political structures. Set aside $2m. from existing budget for related activities to Toronto Equity Council.   
 104.  Ms. Karen Mock, National Director, League for Human Rights of B=Nai Brith Canada, Toronto  Maintain access and equity programs  Grants have been flat-lined; Access and Equity functions (Corporate Services)...........
 105.  Ms. Farhia Ahmed, Community Worker, Deejinta Beesha, Toronto  Somalia Community - preserve resources and reaffirm City=s commitment to elimination of barriers. Increase multicultural programs.   
 106.  Mr. Bob Crawford, Executive Director, Spirit of the People, Toronto  Aboriginal Community - keep in mind representation of native people in making budget cuts.   
 107.  Ms. Priya Rana, Executive Director, Council of Agencies Serving South Asians, Toronto  South Asian Community - Pass by-law to exempt non-profit organizations from tax increases. Phase in increases over several years. Support multicultural grants and access and equity - do not cut these organizations.   
 108.  Mr. Duberlis Ramos, Executive Director, Hispanic Development Council, Toronto  Hispanic Community - involve community in decision-making and identification of issues to improve service delivery.   
 109.  Ms Jane Atkey on behalf of Ms. Janice Tait, Representative, Transportation Action Now, Toronto  Promotion of universal accessibility and availability of public transit. Increase Wheel-Trans budget, speed up acquisition of low-floor buses, speed up plans for handicapped access to subway stations, specific plan to accommodate those riders who cannot currently utilize Wheel-Trans, feasibility study with respect to fee increase on conventional system to cover shortfalls in Wheel-Trans, issue special licences to taxis for access for disabled.   
 110.  Mr. Keith Wong, Executive Director, Chinese Canadian National Council, Toronto  Support for maintaining current existing social services. AInvestment in People@ should be top priority.   
 111.  Ms. Carol Montagnes, Program Co-Ordinator, Ontario Native Council on Justice, Toronto  Absent.   
 111A  Ms. Madeline McDowell, Chair, Humber Heritage  Support for maintaining funding for heritage programs.   
 112.  Ms. Judy Prasad, Program Director, Cross Cultural Communication Centre, Toronto  Absent.   
 3:00 - 4:00 p.m.      
 113.  Ms. Karen Baldwin, Program Co-Ordinator, The 519 Victim Assistance Program, Toronto  Absent.   
 114.  Mr. M.S. Mwarigha, Project Co-Ordinator, Centre for Equality Rights in Accommodation, Toronto  Support for grants to community groups, particularly those involved in the elimination of discrimination in housing, and homelessness initiatives.   
 115.  Mr. Gilmar Militar, Executive Director, Parkdale Intercultural Association, Toronto  Support for Parkdale Intercultural Association.   
 116.  Ms. Charmini Peres, Executive Director, Ontario Council of Agencies Serving Immigrants, Toronto  Absent.   
 117.  Ms. Rita Kohli, Executive Director, Women in Transition, Toronto  Absent.   
 118.  Ms. Margaret Parsons, Executive Director, African Canadian Legal Clinic, Toronto  Support for access and equity, and anti-discrimination initiatives. Maintain current level of funding to the Access and Equity Centre.  Funding has been recommended at the 1997 level.
 119.  Mr. Kam Po Tong, on behalf of Ms. Avvy Go, Legal Counsel, Metro Toronto Chinese & Southeast Asian Legal Clinic, Toronto  Support for Social and Community Services, particularly maintaining funding for seniors/minorities/ immigrants.   
 120.  Ms. Eileen Morrow, Lobby Co-Ordinator, Ontario Association of Interval and Transition Houses, Toronto  Absent.   
 121.  Mr. Carmel Hili, Toronto Christian Resource Centre, Toronto  Support for community and social services/programs and agencies. Maintain funding/enhance funding for social programs.   
 121A  Mr. Jack Slibar, Toronto  Support of status quo for Toronto Humane Society to the end of 1998. Welcomes the review of what is the best option for the delivery of animal services in Toronto.   
 121B  Mr. Peter Leiss,

New Toronto Civic Employees Union, Local 416

 Wishes to be involved in budget process.   
 122.  Ms. Liz White, Animal Alliance of Canada, Toronto  Council adopt Public Health budget as recommended by Budget Committee at $4,295.6 thousand. Savings are not to be taken from staffing costs; rather, $181.0 thousand savings to be taken from the budget of the former City of Toronto Park Patrol Service, and the remaining savings to be taken from the Toronto Humane Society contract.

 Opposed to contracting out animal services.

  
 122A  Ms. Natalie Smith, 416 Drop-In Centre  In support of assistance/ housing for persons with mental health issues. In support of public health, particularly as related to mental health issues.   
 123.  Ms. Cheryl McDonald, Parent for Better Beginning, Toronto  Absent.   
 4:00 - 5:00 p.m.      
 124.  Ms. Pat Roblin, Committee on the Status of Women, Toronto  Support for day care and homelessness initiatives. Concerned about staff lay-offs, which may disproportionately impact on women.   
 125.  Ms. Rita Luty, Toronto  Increase spending on public health to 2% of overall spending.   
 125A  Mr. Dalton Chipway, Task Force to Bring Back the Don  Wants vision for lower Don River. Supports dismantling of the eastern portion of the Gardiner Expressway.   
 126.  Mr. George Panagapka, Citizens for Public Health, Toronto  Maintain funding for public health, especially the Aharm reduction@ program (e.g. needle exchange, drug user outreach support).   
 126A  Ms. Helen Smith, Riverdale Community

Seniors=

Centre

 In support of funding for seniors= community centres.   
 127.  Ms. Michelle Hewton, Jessie=s Centre for Teens, Toronto  Absent.   
 128.  Mr. Sam Lewkowicz, Toronto  Support for zero tax increase. Concerned about the increase in his property taxes as a result of Current Value Assessment.   
 129.  Mr. John Murphy, Serena Toronto, Scarborough  Reconsider deletion of funding for his organization ($5.0 thousand of funding was deleted in the 1998 Estimates; wishes re-instatement of $3.5 thousand).   
 130.  Mr. Larry Katz for Mr. Darin Jackson, Toronto Civic Employees Union Local 416, Toronto  Supports the provision of animal services through in-house staff; opposed to contracting out. Opposes the restructuring target of 1,278 positions.   
 131.  Ms. Deborah Sward for Ms. Lois Corbett, Toronto Atmospheric Fund, Toronto  Wishes to maintain the T.A.F.=s arm=s-length relationship with the City.   
 132.  Mr. Franz Hartmann, (Dr. Dennis MacDonald), Toronto Environmental Alliance, Toronto  Support for environmental protection.   
 133.  Ms. Janet May,

Toronto Environmental Alliance, Toronto

 Support for the elimination of the use of pesticides in parks and golf courses.   
 134.  Mr. John Wellner,

Toronto

Environmental Alliance, Toronto

 Support for environmental programs. Support for HOV lanes (requests that $500.0 thousand budget reduction be re-instated). Requests that $30 million for demolition of east end Gardiner Expressway be re-considered. Supports Toronto Atmospheric Fund. Support for City=s waste diversion policies.   
 5:00 - 6:00 p.m.      
 135.  Mr. Ed Drass, Toronto  Support for the capital budget of the Toronto Transit Commission.   
 136.  Mr. Michael Khoo (Mr. Jessop), Toronto  Support for Greensaver program and Toronto Atmospheric Fund.   
 137.  Mr. Bregman for Mr. Rich Whate, ICLEI, Toronto Environmental Alliance, Toronto  Support for Toronto Atmospheric Fund.   
 138.  Ms. Elizabeth Byce, Secretary, Labour Council of Toronto and York Region  Support for Budget Committee for no Toronto Transit Commission fare increases, review of user fee policies with public input, maintenance of grants at 1997 levels, and maintaining funding for nutrition for children.

 Opposes privatization and any major losses of City jobs.

  
 139.  Mr. Jim Buller, Toronto  Wants alternative approaches to property taxes.

 Opposes Current Value Assessment.

 Support for community agencies.

  
 140.  Mr. Gerard Van Deelen, Toronto  Wishes to maintain 1997 service levels for 1998, 1999, and 2000.   
 140A  Mr. Cameron Atkinson,

51 Division Community Police Liaison Committee

 Support for the replacement of 51 Division Building.   
 141.  Ms. Sarah Shartal, Toronto  Absent.   
 142.  Representative, Metro Youth Council  Absent.   
 143.  Representative, Rexdale Youth Council  Absent.   
 144.  Representative, Scarborough Youth Resource Centre  Absent.   
 145.  Ms. Penny Miller,

Representative, Toronto Young People Advisory Board

 Requests that youth be included in all aspects of municipal decisions.   
 6:00 - 6:30 p.m.      
 146.  Ms. Bronwen Morgan, Toronto  Support for the Toronto Humane Society proposal for the delivery of animal services in the new City.   
 147.  Representative, North York Youth Committee  Absent.   
 148.  Representative, Harriet Tupman Organization  Absent.   
 149.  Mr. Paul Clifford, President, Hotel Employees, Restaurant Employees Union Local 75, Toronto  Absent.   
 150.  Ms. Sonja Greckol, Women=s Municipal Coalition, Toronto  Opposes staff reductions; wishes Human Resources strategy of the new City to focus on access and equity issues.

 Concerned over day-care funding. Wishes to maintain services.

  
 8:00 - 9:00 p.m.      
 151.  Mr. Graham Baldwin, President, Community Social Planning Council of Toronto, Toronto  Leanne Regandanze...

grant $ are leveraged to get addition sponsorships, and by volunteerism - keep on giving.

  
 152.  Ms. Suzan Fletcher, East End Network, Toronto      
 153.  Jeff Beach, Youth Assisting Youth, Toronto  $17K new user fee - Police reference checks affects 70 at risk children.  Willing to provide barter to pay fee (admin support).
 154.  Mr. Michael Dear, President, West Scarborough Neighbourhood Community Centre, Scarborough  Consider consistency and certainty to allow planning of dependent agencies.

 Depend on Scar bldgs. ($8k), fleet ($5k), criminal reference checks ($4k), $6k other .

  
 155.  Ms. Ira Applebaum, President, North York Community House, North York  New immigrant settlement ask that other support programs continue unreduced (Welfare, Housing, etc.).

 

  
 156.  Ms. Jennifer Welsh, President, East York Meals on Wheels, East York  400 clients.....

Deficits in recent years.

 Aside-loading@ loss of rent-free civic space.

 New user fees (police) in kind support.

 Property tax increases re bus occ tax ($2k).

  
 157.  Mr. Mario Calla, Costi-IIas, Toronto  Training, counselling, new immigrant support services.

 Increased demand, other service cutbacks, bus occ tax exempt status for not for profit gone $58k; 40% tax rebate required for not for profit.

  
 158.  Representative, Scarborough Tenants Association, Scarborough  Health, property stds, fire & police dept. funding cuts jeopardize bldg. maintenance programs.

 Sched. inspections needed.

  
 159  Beth Wilson

Toronto Women=s Co-op

 Download of CMHC housing to municipality - risk of funding shortfalls and related program cuts - leave housing at Fed., CHF.   
 159b  Ms. Sandra Seaborn, Co-ordinator, Street Help Line Program, Community Information, Toronto  Absent.   
 160.  Ms. Marjorie Sutton, Mount Dennis Community Association, Toronto  Plead for continued support to re streetscaping etc. in York;

THS (SPCA) start recognizing tax funding.

  
 161.  Ms. Suzan Miner, Street Outreach Services, Toronto  Absent.   
 9:00 - 10:00 p.m.      
 161  Linda Pitney

Fraud Investigator

 Toronto Humane Society out of control: stop supporting them.   
 162.  Ms. Kamal Kipfer, Toronto  Absent.   
 163.  Ms. Pam Prinold, Rexdale Partners, Toronto  13 community based agencies

seniors...

 A newcomer... integration services are important.

 Suggest develop multi-year funding for community agencies.

  
 164.  Ms. Fatima Filippi, Rexdale Women=s Centre, Toronto  Absent.   
 165.  Ms. Hazel Webb, Rexdale Micro Skills, Toronto  Give priority to addressing poverty among women - e.g. training Rex Micro Skills .   
 166.  Mustapha Raji, Rexdale Youth Resource Centre, Toronto  Crime linkage to youth hopelessness; i.e. don=t cut support to this program.

 

  
 167.  Terri Noseworthy, Etobicoke North Community Information Centre, Toronto  Absent.   
 168.  Mr. Rick Kelly, Highfield Community Enrichment Project, Toronto  Absent.   
 169.  Ms. Salena Cicchirillo, East View Neighbourhood Community Centre, Toronto  Centre important to youth - asks that support be continued in 1998.   
 170.  Mr. Rod Hamilton, Kidney Foundation of Canada, Toronto  Absent.   
 171.  Ms. Margaret Morris, Toronto  Absent.   
 172.  Ms. Cindy Brown, YMCA First Stop, Toronto  Absent.   
    Unknown, President of Centennial Recreation Community Association  (1) underpass at bottom of Port Union Road (public health and safety).

 (2) continuation of Highland Creek trail.

 (3) Heron Park Arena - fix rink.

  
    Sylvia Langer, Greenist City program  Against reduction of Toronto=s atmospheric fund. Plea to keep these monies.   
    Elizabeth Holder  Senior citizen concerned with seeking a reduction in taxes. Council to consider either a deferral or reduction of taxes for senior citizens.

 CVA unfair to seniors.

  
    Doria Seville, small business owner in Ward 21  Many discrepancies and inaccuracies in CVA roles. Assessment should be based on square footage, location, and actual costs of services rendered by the City to the business owner.

 In allowing the assessment to stand, ghetto sections of the City will arise, revenues will not be realized and more people on social assistance.

 CVA should not be accepted.

  
    Romona Gunn, Women=s Centre for South Asian women  Continued support for community grants program and agency support services.

 Want to exempt non profit and charitable organizations from taxes.

  
    Mr. McCormack, McCormack Centre  To reinstate $350,000 in the 1998 capital budget to revitalize McCormack Play Centre.

 Petitions and letters from children supporting this.

 Recommend by the Budget Committee to be considered as part of the Five-Year Parks and Recreation Capital Works Program.

 G:\GB\BUDGET\LETTERS\APR20\ITEM.20

 

   
Please note that council and committee documents are provided electronically for information only and do not retain the exact structure of the original versions. For example, charts, images and tables may be difficult to read. As such, readers should verify information before acting on it. All council documents are available from the City Clerk's office. Please e-mail clerk@city.toronto.on.ca.

 

City maps | Get involved | Toronto links
© City of Toronto 1998-2001