Toronto City Budget 2012: Update on what the final budget looks like now
Updated Jan 18
First off, yesterday’s vote was a significant victory. We really must celebrate!
Just as a quick identification of some cuts that have passed or are still on the table. This is not complete, and we will be updating as more information is available:
Jobs:
Laying off approximately 1200 city workers and contracting out of services to private, for-profit companies. A lockout of workers is likely to occur in early February.
Affordable Housing Development:
The budget would drastically decrease the development of affordable housing from an estimated 1,502 affordable homes developed in 2011, to 300 new homes in 2014. Repairs to TCHC homes would be reduced from 1,034 homes in 2011 to only 400 homes in 2014. These cuts will result in longer wait lists for social housing and a continued decrease in the quality of housing stock. TCHC says that its large fiscal problems, including a big capital repair backlog caused by federal and provincial neglect, have forced it to propose selling off hundreds of homes.
Housing Subsidies:
The budget will cut $1.5 million in subsidies to private landlords that will reduce the number of low-income households that receive housing allowances from 1,340 to 1,087. Fewer rent subsidies means that fewer low-income households will be able to move into vacant private rental units. There would also be a cut of $265,000 in subsidies to non-profit landlords that will reduce the number of low-income households that receive housing allowances from 205 to 146. Fewer rent subsidies means that fewer low-income households will be able to live in existing non-profit and co-op buildings. The draft 2012 budget would also eliminate 312 planned housing allowances.
Closure of visitor cafeterias in long-term care homes
5.9% cut to library budget:
Would be based on “efficiencies” and “new revenues” and would not require service reductions or cuts to the library collection. These “efficiencies” include the layoff of 100 “full-time equivalent” workers and greater reliance on “self-service” and youth volunteers.
Privatization of custodial services.
Over 700 TCHC homes still facing sell-off – vote at City Council on January 24th.
5 wading pools
Also check out Social Planning’s Update:
https://www.socialplanningtoronto.org/city_budget_2012/january-17-final-budget-vote/