Social Planning Toronto | Committed to diversity, social and economic justice, and active citizen participation in all aspects of community life.

Check out Social Planning Toronto’s Soundbites e-Bulletin for December 21, 2011

Posted on 21. Dec, 2011 by Jeremy.

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This issue:

On the table this week: libraries, swimming pools, youth outreach workers, child care centres, student nutrition programs, introduction of user fees for children and youth Priority Centres, public transit and cuts grants providing funding to many social services … the list goes on.What is the common denominator here? Children and youth.

Many of the items experiencing adjustments will directly affect children and youth, and the future of our city. These programs and initiatives provide opportunities for our young people to thrive. By continuing to offer these valuable resources, children are able to develop social skills, achieve academic success, enhance creative talents, improve self-esteem and build lasting relationships.

The proposed budget will disproportionately impact our most vulnerable and marginalized children. Cuts are more densely found in neighbourhoods with above average numbers of low-income households. These children and families require additional support to achieve a more prosperous future.

Children and youth are rarely heard. Nor are they always informed of the political agenda impacting them. Join others, including the Toronto District School Board, in voicing your opinion on the matter and standing up for our children’s needs.

How to get involved:

Contact your Councillor (click here to find out your ward and elected Councillor)
Contact your local Trustee (click here to find out who represents your area in the TDSB)
Write to the media (click here for a list of local media sources)
visit www.kidscount.ca for more information on the cuts to childrens’ services, and to send a message of concern directly to your city councillor.

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December 14 – Budget Committee Concludes Final Meeting of the Year

Posted on 14. Dec, 2011 by Beth.

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Budget Committee Concludes Final Meeting of the Year

Watch the Budget Committee’s December 13 meeting here

The Budget Committee held its second wrap-up session and final meeting of the year on December 13. The committee received several briefing notes, and postponed most substantive decisions on the budget until its final wrap-up date on January 9. Its January meeting will conclude the committee’s engagement in the budget. Recommendations for both the capital and operating budget will then be reviewed and voted on by the Executive Committee on January 12 and the final vote will come to City Council at its January 17-19 meeting.

On December 13, the following briefing notes were released:

Two new capital briefing notes on the TTC and Toronto Parking Authority
Eight new operating briefing notes on Parks, Forestry and Recreation re use of TDSB schools, emerald ash borer infestation, Committee of Adjustment applications caseload, using funding from the Toronto Waterfront Secretariat or from additional ice permit fees to keep the Thistletown Community Centre open, the climate change action plan, Toronto Fire Services response times, changes to new and existing user fees, and staffing trends in the Equity Office.

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“Cutting My Backyard” Report – Impacts of the City Core Services Review

Posted on 13. Dec, 2011 by Jeremy.

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In 2011, the City of Toronto appointed KPMG consultants to conduct a Core Service Review to determine which services in the City of Toronto are mandatory and which are discretionary. This exercise was undertaken in order to reduce the City’s expenditures to compensate for the projected budget shortfall of $774 million in 2012. The goal of the Core Service Review was to reduce or eliminate services that the City is not legally obligated to provide in order to balance the budget.

The purpose of this report is to outline the negative impacts the proposed service cuts would have on the City of Toronto. By highlighting the adverse effects of the service cuts, City Councillors as well as residents of Toronto will be able to make more informed and educated decisions on whether or not to accept the proposed cuts.

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December 12 – Councillors Host Budget Town Halls

Posted on 12. Dec, 2011 by Beth.

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Councillors Host Budget Town Halls

We are canvassing all of the Councillors’ offices to ask if they plan to host local town halls on the City budget for their constituents. Here’s the update so far …

Councillor Augimeri, Ward 9 York Centre: planning one for January
Councillor Bailao, Ward 18 Davenport: held her town hall on December 3
Councillor Cho, Ward 42 Scarborough-Rouge River: no plans at present, but if that changes info will be posted to his website www.raymondcho.com
Councillor Colle, Ward 15 Eglinton-Lawrence: planning one for new year
Councillor Crisanti, Ward 1 Etobicoke North: planning one, date to be announced
Councillor Davis, Ward 31 Beaches-East York: held her town hall earlier
Councillor De Baeremaeker, Ward 38 Scarborough Centre: not planning to hold one
Councillor Del Grande, Ward 39 Scarborough-Agincourt: held his town hall earlier
Councillor Di Giorgio, Ward 12 York South-Weston: not planning to hold one
Councillor Doucette, Ward 13 Parkdale-High Park: held her town hall on December 6
Councillor Fletcher, Ward 30 Toronto-Danforth: planning a tele-town hall for January
Councillor Fragedakis, Ward 29 Toronto-Danforth: planning one for January
Councillor Grimes, Ward 6 Etobicoke-Lakeshore: not planning to hold one
Councillor Layton, Ward 19 Trinity-Spadina: Thursday, December 15 from 7-9 p.m. at Trinity Community Recreation Centre, second floor, 155 Crawford Street (Queen and Ossington), RSVP: councillor_layton@toronto.ca or 416-392-4009
Councillor Lee, Ward 41 Scarborough-Rouge River: no plans at present, will inform us if this changes
Councillor Lindsay Luby, Ward 4 Etobicoke Centre: not planning to hold one
Councillor Matlow, Ward 22 St. Paul’s: Wednesday, January 11 from 7-9 p.m. at North Toronto Memorial Community Centre, 200 Eglinton Avenue West
Councillor McMahon, Ward 32 Beaches-East York: planning one for early January
Councillor Mihevc, Ward 21 St. Paul’s: Tuesday, December 13 from 7-8:30 p.m. at Hillcrest Community School, 44 Hilton Avenue – 2012 community budget meeting, followed by meet and greet/holiday gathering
Councillor Minnan-Wong, Ward 34 Don Valley East: held his town hall on December 1
Councillor Nunziata, Ward 11 York South-Weston: not planning to hold one
Councillor Palacio, Ward 17 Davenport: not planning to hold one
Councillor Parker, Ward 26 Don Valley West: planning one for mid-January
Councillor Robinson, Ward 25 Don Valley West: not planning to hold one
Councillor Stintz, Ward 16 Eglinton-Lawrence: not planning to hold one
Councillor Vaughan, Ward 20 Trinity-Spadina: planning one for early January