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Thoughts on the 2014 City Budget

01 February 2014

Take a look at Local 79 President Tim Maguire’s video commentary on the highs and lows of the 2014 City Budget.

 A letter to members follows below.

 

Dear Members,

After months of meetings and debate the 2014 City Budget was approved on January 30th.

Local 79 would like to thank you for your active participation in the budget process.  Your timely response to our call-to-action by contacting your Councillors made a big difference in the outcome of the 2014 City Budget.

Although the Budget adopted by City Council appears to commit to beginning the process of filling over 2,500 jobs that remained vacant or gapped last year, Local 79 must be diligent throughout the coming months to see that these front-line positions are filled.  We will also be monitoring hiring in the Divisions that had staffing increases recommended in the Budget. 

The 2014 City Budget is a status quo budget that contains some enhanced services to benefit children & youth, families, newcomers and communities:

  • Increased child care spaces (668 new subsidized spaces);
  • Expansion of the Student Nutrition Program;
  • After school programs (ARC) for children aged 6 -12 expanded to 8 new sites over the next 2 years;
  • 10 new youth spaces/lounges in recreation centres (4 in 2014, 3 more in 2015 and 3 in 2016);
  • Toronto Youth Equity Strategy approved for new programs including mental health supports, family supports and skills development for youth inmates, employment help for youth with criminal records, assistance with housing, reducing youth violence and achieving positive outcomes;
  • Community Grants (Community Partnership and Investment Program/CPIP) received budget increases to cover the cost of inflation;
  • Funding for new high priority programs in underserved areas;
  • 16 recreation centres get priority centre status (free recreation) starting at the end of September;
  • All leisure swim programs will be made free and the Swim to Survive program expanded;
  • Increased funding for the Tenant Outreach and Organizing Program.

The final budget set the residential property tax increase at 2.71%.  A rate that is the ‘lowest of the low’ of all the municipalities in the GTA, according to the City Manager, who also noted that years of tax rates that don’t factor in inflationary pressures are a recipe for trouble in the future.  The impact of budget cuts and freezes will be felt for years to come.  City Divisions and programs have been forced to try and operate at full service levels with insufficient staffing levels and resources.

There will be challenges ahead in next year’s City Budget because the funding for most of the enhanced services depends on what the City collects in Municipal Land Transfer Tax.  Local 79 will be monitoring the Budget Committee throughout the year to see if the resources are there to continue these additional programs next year.

In Solidarity,

Tim Maguire
President