About City Budget Watch
Social Planning Toronto's City Budget Watch is back for the 2021 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 Thursday, January 14, to final votes at City Council on February 17. We'll let you know how you can learn more, get involved, and have your say on the 2021 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
2022 City Budget: City Council Passes Austerity Budget Despite Multiple and Mounting Crises
On February 17, Toronto City Council passed the 2022 City budget, making only minor changes to the original staff-recommended budget launched one month ago. Despite thousands of residents calling for a better bolder budget that would respond to the multiple and mounting crises impacting communities, Toronto City Council opted for a status quo budget that failed to meet the moment.
2022 City Budget: Budget and Executive Committees Make No Changes to Draft Budget - No New Funding, No Reallocation of Police Budget
The Budget Committee and Executive Committee have concluded their work on the 2022 City of Toronto budget, making no changes to the staff-recommended budget launched nearly one month ago. No new funding was added to introduce or expand programs and services, beyond what was already included in the staff-recommended budget. One attempt to reallocate a small amount from the increase to the police budget to programs to support tenant housing conditions was defeated at Budget Committee.
2022 City Budget: Strong Calls to Cut the Police Budget, Support Climate Action, and Fund Critical Services at Budget Deputations
The 2022 City budget process has advanced to its final stages with the Budget Committee concluding its work on February 7, the Executive Committee set to review the budget today, Friday, February 11, and Toronto City Council to meet for final budget votes on Thursday, February 17. At public hearings, residents and community groups spoke with frustration and anger about plans to increase the police budget while urgent action is needed to address mounting and multiple crises in affordable housing, emergency shelter and supports, overdose prevention, public transit, climate action, child care, long-term care, seniors services and more - none of which require the police.