On January 24, the Budget Committee met for its wrap up meeting where it provided advice to the Mayor. (The Mayor is preparing to release her 2025 City Budget on January 30.) This advice was provided following the Budget Committee’s three-day review of all of the City’s divisional and agency budgets and two days of public deputation sessions where residents and community groups shared their priorities for the City. 

At its meeting, the Budget Committee provided advice to the Mayor through a series of motions which were supported unanimously by all committee members. The committee’s recommendations for the 2025 City budget focused on youth employment, the shelter system, and drop-in centres. The motions did not recommend any cuts to existing services or proposed enhancements included in the Staff-Prepared budget. Several members spoke positively about aspects of the Staff-Prepared budget, while also reflecting on the ongoing funding challenges of the city.

Motions Related to the 2025 City Budget

The Budget Committee: 

Recommended that the Mayor include funds in the 2025 Budget to expand youth employment and mentoring opportunities with a focus on equity seeking groups;

Recommended that the Mayor continue to invest in order to address the growing pressures in the shelter system, including access to food and safety within drop-in sites and shelters;

Acknowledged and thanked the tens of thousands of Torontonians who participated in pre-budget consultations, telephone town halls, Budget Committee deputations, and provided written submissions sharing their priorities for our City.

Motions to Advocate to the Federal and Provincial Government Regarding Investments in Mental Health and Addictions Recovery Services and A New Fiscal Framework

The Budget Committee: 

Recommended that the Mayor continue to advocate to the other levels of government for increased investments by both the federal and provincial governments in a robust mental healthcare system, including well-funded addictions recovery;

Recommended that the Mayor continue to advocate to both the provincial and federal governments for a new fiscal framework for the City of Toronto, including new revenue tools and / or long-term funding commitments for services which the other levels of government has downloaded onto the City.

Motions Related to the 2026 and Future City Budgets

The Budget Committee:

Recommended that the Mayor, as part of the preparation of the 2026 and future budgets, work with the City Manager to:

1. Realize service improvements and in-year savings from the implementation of the recommendations of the Audit of Parks Branch Operations;
   
   
2. Create a staffing model to support the expansion of the Toronto Public Library Open Hours Plan, in consultation with the Chief Librarian;
   
   
3. Create a multi-year complement-management plan for Toronto Paramedic Services;
   
   
4. Continue the Rolling Program Review to realize further in-year savings, and savings to mitigate any 2026 property tax increase; and
   
   
5. Work with the Toronto Transit Commission, to develop a multi-year operating budget that decreases the Toronto Transit Commission’s reliance on property tax increases by:
   1. Advocating to other orders of government for long-term sustainable funding;
   2. Updating the Fare Policy, Fare Collection Outlook, and Ridership Growth Strategy; and
   3. Implementing the recommendations of the Auditor General on fare evasion.

Recommended that the Mayor, as part of the preparation of the 2026 budget, work with the City Manager to:

1. Identify Development Charge funding for eligible growth-related components and other funding sources for a refresh of Mel Lastman Square with a report back during the 2026 budget process and move its revitalization budget above the line; and
   
   
2. Identify funding pathways to restore access to civic centres as vital public space for community and civic engagement in the 2026 budget.

The ball is in the Mayor’s court. Mayor Chow’s 2025 City Budget is expected to be released on Thursday, January 30. Toronto City Council meets on Tuesday, February 11 when Council will have the opportunity to vote on amendments to the Mayor’s 2025 City Budget.

Now is the time to keep up the pressure for a better budget for Toronto!

Here’s how you can make a difference:

Join us at FUND OUR CITY: 2025 Toronto Budget Rally

February 11, 

12 PM - 1 PM

Nathan Phillips Square

100 Queen St. W

City Hall, front doors

For more information, including accessibility accommodations, please visit: 

https://www.socialplanningtoronto.org/fund_our_city_toronto_budget_rally

A Note about Briefing Notes

Looking for more information about the City budget? Check out the City’s budget page for budget notes (budget breakdown for each City division and agency), City staff budget presentations, and most recently, briefing notes.

City staff have prepared a slew of briefing notes which provide further details on specific aspects of the City budget, including multi-tenant housing, climate projects, food security initiatives, the Toronto Tenant Support Program, community space usage at Civic Centres, and more! 

Find them by searching for “briefing note” on the City’s budget page.