The 2023 City Budget will officially be launched on Tuesday, January 10. But Mayor John Tory has made a few preliminary budget announcements this week — $2 billion to address the city's housing crisis, a $48.3 million (4.3%) increase for Toronto Police Services, $53 million and a 10-cent-per ride fare increase for the Toronto Transit Commission, a $21 million (7.1%) increase for paramedic services, and $523.9 million for fire frontline services.
As usual, the devil is in the details. We are digging into the numbers and will have more analysis next week.
With the current state of the city and recent pieces of legislation eroding local democracy, it’s more important than ever that we come together to analyze the proposed budget and discuss what communities need moving forward. We’ve got two virtual budget events planned to do just that.
Join us on January 9 (5:30–7:30pm) to learn more about Toronto’s budget, the budget process, and how the budget affects the services you use every day — such as affordable housing, transit, community programs, libraries, and recreation.
We’ll cover the basics of the 2023 budget process, key dates, and how you can make your voice heard on the services and priorities important to you.
Hear from newly elected City Councillor Alejandra Bravo about the recent "strong mayor" change and how it affects Mayor Tory's and Councillors' powers, as well as the power communities have to create change.
This event is an opportunity for you to ask questions, and to share ideas on how to mobilize your communities to advocate for a budget that improves life in Toronto.
ASL and Mandarin interpretation will be available. Auto-captions will be enabled. If you need any additional support to attend, please contact Jonella Evangelista, [email protected].
Please register to secure your spot.
For decades, we’ve been offering budget town halls to translate complex budget documents for community organizations, groups, and residents so they can more effectively shape the City Budget.
Join SPT and partners on January 16 (2–4pm) to hear our analyses of Toronto’s 2023 City Budget. We’ll talk about what’s in the budget and offer insights on its impact on critical programs and services, then hold a dialogue on collective priorities and action.
If you require any support (i.e., ASL interpretation) to attend the event, please contact Jonella Evangelista, [email protected].
Please register to secure your spot.
Public hearing dates
It’s also more important than ever to speak up!
The Chair of the Budget Committee has rescheduled the times and locations of its meetings to hear public presentations on the budget. Members, staff, and the public may participate in-person or by video conference (video conference details to be provided to participants closer to the meeting dates).
January 17, 2023
2 locations:
Committee Room 1, City Hall and by Video Conference
9:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
1:30–4:30 p.m.
6:00 p.m. onwards
Council Chamber, North York Civic Centre and by Video Conference
1:30–4:30 p.m.
6:00 p.m. onwards
January 18, 2023
2 locations:
Council Chamber, Scarborough Civic Centre and by Video Conference
1:30–4:30 p.m.
6:00 p.m. onwards
Council Chamber, Etobicoke Civic Centre by Video Conference
1:30–4:30 p.m.
6:00 p.m. onwards
How to provide comments or make a presentation to the Budget Committee
You may submit written comments or register to speak to the Committee on any item on the agenda.
Submit written comments to [email protected].
To speak to the Committee, register by e-mail ([email protected]) or by phone (416 392 4666). Registered speakers will receive instructions to connect to the meetings.
For further information or assistance, contact Matthew Green, Administrator, at 416 392 4666 or [email protected].
Want to depute about transit issues? TTCriders is hosting a Speak up for better transit workshop on January 12. They’ll break down what’s being proposed in the 2023 budget and how you can take action. There will be time to practice speaking. Register at ttcriders.ca/budget_workshop_2022