About City Budget Watch
Social Planning Toronto's City Budget Watch is back for the 2020 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 Friday, January 10, to final votes at City Council on February 19. We'll let you know how you can learn more, get involved, and have your say on the 2020 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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Latest Posts
2020 City Budget: Digging into the Staff-Recommended Budget
Last week, the Budget Committee completed its review of the 2020 staff-recommended budget. The committee and visiting councillors had an opportunity to hear from City staff, ask questions of staff, and request further information through briefing notes. This week, the Budget Committee splits into two subcommittees to hear from members of the public about their priorities, concerns, and ideas for the city and the 2020 budget. Public deputations are taking place at Toronto City Hall (Monday), Scarborough Civic Centre (Monday), North York Civic Centre (Tuesday), and Etobicoke Civic Centre (Tuesday). For details on the deputations and other budget events, check out our City Budget Watch home page.
2020 City Budget: All the events, new research, and the latest coverage
On Friday, January 10, the City of Toronto launched its 2020 staff-recommended budget. It's the first step towards a final budget vote on February 19. At the moment, we're knee-deep in City budget documents, combing through all of the details to better understand this year's budget and what it means for communities across this city - the good, the bad, and the ugly. In the days and weeks to come, we'll share our analysis and insights with you.
In this first City Budget Watch post of 2020, learn more about our pre-budget report, "Toronto After a Decade of Austerity: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly". Check your calendar because there are lots of budget forums, town halls, and trainings coming up - as well as opportunities to speak to Budget Committee members at public deputations! While you're at it, read the latest media coverage on the City budget.
Budget Resources
Budget Analysis & News
Toronto After a Decade of Austerity: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly
This report looks at how our city has progressed, declined, or stagnated — when it comes to housing, child care, public transit, and cycling and walking — as a result of budget choices made over the past decade. Learn why it's urgent that we move away from austerity toward building a more affordable, fair, & caring city.
Media Coverage
- City Councillor favours tax on vacant homes in Toronto
- Toronto’s economic boom is not being felt in every neighbourhood
- TTC's 10-cent fare hike doesn’t buy much transit
- They’re the ‘beating hearts’ of the city’s neighbourhoods. So why are Toronto’s public libraries still chronically underfunded?
- Growing push to tax both vacant, luxury homes during city's budget process
- Toronto should put a tax on vacant homes
- Toronto’s 2020 budget would be improved with a tax on vacant homes
- Toronto's 2020 budget proposal has little city funding to respond to escalating gun violence
- Toronto's proposal for balanced budget needs $77 million from federal government
- Will Toronto be getting more new streetcars? The battle begins today with the city's draft budget
- Proposal for more real estate taxes is expected to heat up Toronto’s budget debate
- Toronto's infrastructure costs don’t end once construction is done
Get Involved!
Mark These Dates on Your Calendar
| Jan. 10 | 2020 Capital and Operating Budgets were launched |
| Jan. 15–17 | Budget Committee reviewed budget briefings |
| Jan. 20 & 21 | Budget Committee heard public deputations |
| Jan. 28 & Feb. 4 | Budget Committee wraps up its work, makes recommendations |
| Feb. 13 | Executive Committee makes its recommendations |
| Feb. 19 | City Council votes on final budgets |
You can attend these meetings! Drop by City Hall at 100 Queen Street West to watch, or watch online on Council's YouTube channel.
Learn more about the 2020 budget process on the City's website.
Sign the Petition
Toronto City Councillors will be voting soon on whether or not to take one of the many actions needed to address our housing crisis: implementing a Vacant Homes Tax.
Send a message supporting the tax to your local City Councillor and the Mayor »
Attend Budget Forums, Town Halls, & Trainings
Learn about the City's 2020 budget process and how you can get involved to shape its outcome!
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Jan. 22 |
Scarborough Community Forum Registration required: scarboroughcivicaction@gmail.com |
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Jan. 22 |
Don Valley North (Ward 17) Budget Town Hall More information: Contact Councillor Carroll at councillor_carroll@toronto.ca / 416 338 2650 |
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Jan. 24 |
Understanding Toronto's proposed City Budget with a Toronto Star city hall reporter, Jennifer Pagliaro Registration required: centrelist@smh.ca |
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Jan. 26 |
Scarborough (Ward 25) Budget Town Hall RSVP: councillor_mckelvie@toronto.ca / 416 338 3771 |
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Jan. 29 |
East End Budget Consultation More info here, or contact Councillor_Bradford@toronto.ca / 416 338 2755 or Councillor_Fletcher@Toronto.ca / 416 392 4060 |
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Feb. 3 |
Parkdale-High Park (Ward 4) Budget Town Hall More info here, or contact Councillor_Perks@toronto.ca / 416 392 7919 |
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Feb. 6 |
Scarborough Budget Town Hall Registration required: iahmed@socialplanningtoronto.org |
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Feb. 8 |
Lawrence Heights City Budget Forum (Ward 8) Registration required: maria-saroja@socialplanningtoronto.org |
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Feb. 12 |
Training: How to Phone Bank for Our City |
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Feb. 19 |
City Budget Field Trip |