A few months ago, Mayor Ford hired private consulting firm KPMG to review city services with the goal of cutting them, downsizing the city workforce, selling off city assets, and contracting out city workers’ jobs. The Mayor claimed there was a $774 million deficit to justify his cuts, warning that otherwise a 35% property tax increase would be needed to balance the budget.
But media reports pegged the deficit closer to $440 million, and recently the City found there would be a $140 million surplus from the 2011 budget year. Mayor Ford doesn’t know the City’s financial situation, doesn’t care, or is making up his own figures to suit his agenda.
The good news is that over the last few months, public opposition and pressure to Mayor Ford’s cuts has had an effect. Some of Ford’s councillor allies have begun voting against his proposals. As a result, some of the KPMG cuts at the last City Council meeting were spared while some were sent back to the City for consideration by staff. This scenario has pushed most of the cuts to the upcoming budget. As things stand right now, what’s going to be cut, and what isn’t?
Let’s start with the good news. The following cuts are off the table:
- Privatization/sale of the Toronto Parking Authority.
- Elimination of the Neighbourhood Improvement Program (funding to City wards).
- Cutting down on the planning review process.
- Suspend staff support for the Toronto Youth Cabinet and Seniors Forum advisory bodies.
- Eliminate community environment days.
- Reduction in city subsidies for Child Care (However, the mayor created a “taskforce” on child care being led by right-wing Councillor Giorgio Mammoliti, which has met, in secret behind closed doors, with private daycare providers).
- Closure of Riverdale Farm.
The cuts:
- Get rid of the four free garbage tags provided to each house.
- Stop expanding 311 services in 2013.
- Transfer operation of Black Creek urban farm away from the City.
- End staff support for advisory bodies (except to Toronto Youth Cabinet and Seniors Forum)
- End development of community service hubs and social development plans for communities undergoing revitalization.
- Stop City management of the Christmas Bureau.
- Sell or lease operation of the Toronto Zoo.
- Stop the City funding of Yonge-Dundas Square.
- Delay the City’s tree-planting goals
- Selling off of 700 single-family homes (still needs Council approval, which is almost guaranteed)
Cuts that are still on the table and to watch out for:
- Privatize/sell long-term care homes
- Outsourcing City cleaners
- End zoning information on building permit and zoning information given by phone/in writing.
- Closing museums that have least attendance and revenue.
- Looking for savings in the operation of the CNE.
- Cutting costs in city licensing categories.
- Reduction in the cost to run the Percent for Public Art Program.
- How to maximize the use (bring in money/concentrate services) at libraries, community centres, community hubs, agencies and organizations.
- Outsource some components of 311 services.
- Look at outsourcing Information Technology services.
- Reducing heritage grants and the heritage tax rebate program.
- Reducing mechanical and manual street sweeping.
- Eliminating horticultural activities
- Eliminating the Toronto Atmospheric Fund
- Eliminating the City’s hardship fund
The results of these cuts will download millions of dollars in costs on families who will have to pay more for private services and fees. Good jobs disappear and families in Toronto will pay more.
CUPE Local 79 is fighting back but we will need your help. More than ever, now is the time for you to get involved and fight for the jobs and the kind of city you want to live in.
Please monitor this website and read your union communications. We’ll be asking you to take actions including:
- Calls and emails to your councilor
- Making deputations at council committees and attending city council meetings
- Coming to rallies
- Enlisting the support and help of your family and friends
- Signing petitions and writing letters.
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