Are you planning to speak to the Budget Committee at next week’s public hearings/deputation sessions? Going to submit comments to the Budget Committee, or want to learn more about the City of Toronto’s 2024 Budget? Check out the video recording and presentations from Social Planning Toronto’s 2024 City Budget Town Hall held today, January 18!

SPT and an amazing panel of community partners offered in-depth analysis, information, and recommendations for the 2024 City of Toronto budget. The recording and presentations provide an excellent resource that can help inform community deputations and submissions. 

Watch the full Town Hall recording (with automated video transcription), or find a specific speaker:

• Jin Huh, Social Planning Toronto (SPT). Welcome and setting the context for this year’s City budget; starts at beginning of video.
• Beth Wilson, Social Planning Toronto. Budget overview, budget process, key dates, and ways to participate (click for slides); starts at 3 minutes, 25 seconds (03:25).
• Melissa Goldstein, housing researcher and advocate. Affordable housing, tenant supports, and eviction prevention; 24:27.
• Lindsay Kretschmer, Toronto Aboriginal Support Services Council (TASSC). City budget and commitments to Indigenous people; 32:48.
• Diana Chan McNally, All Saints Church-Community Centre. Emergency shelter system, housing workers, housing help, supports for people who are homeless, and encampments; 40:21.
• Sarah Buchanan, Toronto Environmental Alliance (TEA). Environment and climate action; 50:31.
• August Pantitlán Puranauth, TTCriders. Public transit; 58:38. 
• Anna Willats, Toronto Police Accountability Coalition (TPAC). Police budget; 01:07:47.

Check out SPT’s tips for making a deputation.

Reminder: Register to Have Your Say at the City of Toronto Budget Committee’s Public Hearings/Deputations

Speak to Budget Committee on Monday, January 22, or Tuesday, January 23, in person or by video conference.

To register to speak email [email protected] or call 416 392 4666. Please choose a preferred day and timeslot (see list below) and register to speak before 4:30 p.m. tomorrow, January 19. Registered speakers will be provided with instructions about how to join the meeting.

The meetings will stream live on the City Council YouTube channel.

CITY HALL — FULLY BOOKED

City Hall, Committee Room 1, 100 Queen St. W.
Monday, January 22
9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
1:30 to 4:30 p.m.
6:00 to 9:00 p.m.

DEPUTATION SESSIONS AVAILABLE AT THE CIVIC CENTRES

Scarborough Civic Centre, Council Chamber, 150 Borough Dr.
Monday, January 22
1:30 to 4:30 p.m.
6:00 to 9:00 p.m.

Etobicoke Civic Centre, Council Chamber, 399 The West Mall
Tuesday, January 23
1:30 to 4:30 p.m.
6:00 to 9:00 p.m.

North York Civic Centre, Council Chamber, 5100 Yonge St.
Tuesday, January 23
1:30 to 4:30 p.m.
6:00 to 9:00 p.m.

The City Budget and Residential Property Taxes

Much has been made about this year’s residential property tax increase at 10.5% (which includes a 9% property tax increase and a 1.5% increase to the City Building Fund, a tax levy that raises revenues for public transit infrastructure and the creation of affordable housing).

The fact is, the City of Toronto has one of the lowest property tax rates in Ontario. If the proposed rate increase passes, the City of Toronto will still have one of the lowest property tax rates in Ontario.

Here are a few more facts about Toronto’s property taxes:

• Based on the proposed rate change, property taxes for the average home (with an assessed value of $694,381) will increase by $26.75 per month or less than $1 a day. The City Building Fund will increase by $4.42 per month. 
• The total increase for the average home, including property taxes, City Building Fund, water services, and garbage collection, amounts to an additional $420 per year, or $35 a month.
• The City of Toronto has programs to help seniors and people with disabilities with modest and low incomes who can’t afford increases in their property taxes and rate programs. 
• Property taxes are an important source of revenue that pays for critical programs, services, and infrastructure in our city. For just under $1 a day on average, property owners will get back no TTC fare increases, extended library hours, enhancements to fire and paramedic services, continued access to low-cost recreational programs, access to free community spaces and programs, and more. As well, we will see greater supports for tenants and for the growing number of unhoused residents across the city and expanded access to mental health crisis programs. 
• Past Mayors and Councils have prioritized low property taxes above all else — and it shows in the absence and inadequacy of public services and failure to maintain City infrastructure, facilities, and assets in a state of good repair. For too long, those struggling the most in our city have suffered the consequences so that property taxes could remain low, despite the growing population and the increased needs amongst residents.
• If Toronto City Council had raised property taxes at a modest and consistent rate each year, the City would have more revenue to make life better in Toronto. 

The proposed property tax increase is necessary to begin to improve services, facilities, and life in Toronto for everyone.

Next up: Keep a lookout for our next City Budget Watch post with key messages about the 2024 City of Toronto budget that you could use in your deputations and budget advocacy!