Today, Mayor Olivia Chow and Councillor Shelley Carroll (Don Valley North), Chair of the Budget Committee, launched the City of Toronto’s 2024 Budget Consultations.
Mayor Chow and Councillor Carroll were joined by Councillors Lily Cheng (Willowdale), Chris Moise (Toronto Centre) and Gord Perks (Parkdale-High Park) to launch the fall consultations.
From November 1 to 30, Toronto residents are invited to share their ideas about the City’s 2024 Budget and Toronto’s future in virtual and in-person consultations and through an online survey available on the City’s 2024 Budget webpage.
The financial challenges faced by the City are real and impact the 2024 Budget and beyond. The City faces difficult financial decisions, including a projected $1.5 billion operating shortfall in the 2024 Budget and a $46.5 billion shortfall in the next ten years.
Urgent action must be taken to ensure a more stable and sustainable future for Toronto. That is why the City is at the table with the Province of Ontario and the Government of Canada to secure a new deal for the people of Toronto that will allow the City to build more affordable housing, improve the TTC and focus on Torontonians’ priorities now and for decades to come.
Participants are encouraged to register to receive reminders and notifications of any meeting changes. There are two time slots for each meeting and participants can choose their desired time during registration. To register, residents can visit the City’s 2024 Budget webpage.
Mayor Chow and Toronto City Council will use the feedback to help inform decision making at the City and to support discussions with the Province of Ontario and the Government of Canada to secure a new deal for Toronto.
The results will be presented to the Budget Committee when the 2024 Budget launches on January 10, 2024 and will accompany the Budget Committee’s recommendations to Mayor Chow for the Mayor’s budget, which will be released by February 1, 2024.
Once the November consultations conclude, Toronto residents will have additional opportunities to engage in the 2024 Budget process online and in person by writing to members of the Budget Committee, local Councillors and Members of Council, attending a local Councillor’s Budget Townhall and speaking to members of the Budget Committee January 22 and 23, 2024.
More information about the 2024 Budget is available on the City’s Budget webpage.
Quotes:
“I am opening City Hall and Toronto’s budget process for people to share their ideas. This feedback will help us work with the Province of Ontario and the Government of Canada on a new deal for Toronto and guide budget decision making, find new and creative ideas from every corner of the City and identify Torontonians who want to support Toronto’s efforts to ask the Province of Ontario and the Government of Canada to step up and support us. I want to hear what matters to Torontonians so we can work together to create a safe, affordable and caring city where everyone belongs.”
– Mayor Olivia Chow
“The City budget is a roadmap for the city we want to build together. I encourage every Torontonian to take part in this month’s budget consultations and share what matters most to you. Hearing your views, opinions and ideas will help us advocate best for Toronto and create a budget that reflects our shared priorities.”
– Shelley Carroll (Don Valley North), Chair of the Budget Committee
Toronto is home to more than three million people whose diversity and experiences make this great city Canada’s leading economic engine and one of the world’s most diverse and livable cities. As the fourth largest city in North America, Toronto is a global leader in technology, finance, film, music, culture and innovation and climate action, and consistently places at the top of international rankings due to investments championed by its government, residents and businesses. For more information, visit the City’s website or follow us on Twitter, Instagram or Facebook.