About City Budget Watch
Social Planning Toronto's City Budget Watch is back for the 2019 City of Toronto budget process! We'll be bringing you up-to-date reports and analysis on each step of the City budget process from launch date on Monday, January 28, to final votes at City Council on March 7. We'll let you know how you can learn more, get involved, and have your say on the 2019 budget.
The City Budget Watch Blog is authored by Beth Wilson. Beth is our lead on policy and research at Social Planning Toronto, starting at our organization in 2002. She has a Master of Social Work (MSW), Policy, Organization and Community.
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Most recent blog entries
TAKE ACTION: Tell City Council to Fund Our City
Toronto City Council’s final meeting of the 2025 City Budget process will take place on Tuesday, February 11. The proposed budget, put forth by Mayor Chow on January 30, invests in and expands critical programs and services. But these investments are at risk.
Councillors can decide to reverse important measures such as the TTC fare freeze, the expansion of the student food program to feed an additional 21,500 students annually, the introduction of the camp food program to feed up to 31,085 children and youth, the expansion of winter hours in drop-in centres, the construction of new emergency shelters, the addition of open library hours across the City, investments in youth and family programs and services, and more.
Mayor’s Budget Safeguards Enhancements in the Staff-Prepared Budget, Increases Support for Tenants Facing Renovictions, and Expands Property Tax Relief and Water and Solid Waste Rebate Programs
On January 30, Mayor Chow released the Mayor’s 2025 City Budget. The Mayor’s Budget maintains the program and service enhancements included in the Staff-Prepared Budget and increases support for tenants facing renovictions. It also holds firm on the proposed residential property tax increase (5.4% residential property tax increase + 1.5% increase for the City Building Fund, for a total increase of 6.9%), ensuring more funding for critical services, while also expanding the City’s property tax relief and water and solid waste rebate programs. The Mayor’s Budget also includes $3 million in unallocated funding that Council will decide how to use at its February 11 meeting.
Commercial Parking Levy Is Further Delayed, While Executive Committee Supports Creation of Advisory Body on Municipal Autonomy and Effective Local Governance
The Executive Committee met on January 28 to review some key issues pertinent to the City’s revenue-generating powers and fiscal situation, including an update on a commercial parking levy and stormwater charge as two potential new revenue tools, and the creation of an Advisory Body on Municipal Autonomy and Effective Local Governance.