Toronto city councillors voted on Monday to approve the 2018 budget which includes a 2.1 per cent residential property tax hike.The $11.1 billion operating budget includes an additional 1,515 in childcare subsidies, 700 winter respite shelter beds and relief for overcrowding on TTC bus routes.
The budget, hailed as “just right” by Mayor John Tory and “good news” by Budget Chief Gary Crawford, passed 35-7.
The 2.1 per cent residential property tax hike is actually 2.9 per cent when the city building fund is factored in, which is intended to support infrastructure projects such as transit and housing.
City Council approves balanced budget that invests in key service priorities for Toronto residents and businesses. https://t.co/3bmm25WkhO
— City of Toronto (@TorontoComms) February 13, 2018
Homeowners are expected, on average, to pay an extra $81 dollars a year.
The 2018 operating budget maintains all current programs and services and provides an additional $2 million for arts and cultures spending, $4.6 million to begin the Transit Fare Equity Program and $1.3 million to implement the city’s new traffic enforcement officers.
Recreational programs will also get a boost of $800,000 to create 10,000 new spaces.This will be the final budget passed by this version of city council and it’s also one Tory plans to run for re-election on. While the outcome seemed clear from the moment councillors arrived in the chamber, the debate was punctuated by several ideas rarely talked about at city hall, including reinstating the vehicle registration tax.
This will be the final budget passed by this version of city council and it’s also one Tory plans to run for re-election on. While the outcome seemed clear from the moment councillors arrived in the chamber, the debate was punctuated by several ideas rarely talked about at city hall, including reinstating the vehicle registration tax.
We are keeping taxes low while significantly investing in the areas that will have a real, positive impact on our residents' lives.
— John Tory (@JohnTory) February 13, 2018
