Jane-Wilson

Updated Jan 2, 2012

Jane-Wilson Overview
Wards 7, 8, 12
Councillors:     Ward 7 (York West) – Giorgio Mammoliti

    Ward 8 (York West) – Anthony Perruzza

        Ward 12 (York South – Weston) – Frank Di Giorgio
Last Updated: January 4, 2012

Demographic features of Jane-Wilson

 

Ward 7 (2006 data)

  • Ward 7 has a slightly higher population of children and youth than the Toronto average.

  • Top 5 “home languages” spoken: English, Italian, Spanish, Panjabi, Vietnamese.

  • Top 5 ethnic origin groups: Italian, East Indian, Vietnamese, Jamaican, Pakistani.

  • 75.6% of residents are 1st generation migrants, significantly higher than the Toronto average of 59%.

  • 25.1% of families were lone-parent families (as compared to the Toronto average of 20.3%), couples with children are slightly higher (49%) than the Toronto average (47%) and couples without children (25.6%) are lower than Toronto average (32.7%).

  • The unemployment rate was 8.7% in 2006 (compared to 7.6% Toronto average). The most common types of employment were in “sales and service” and manufacturing.

  • Median household income was $48,366, slightly below the Toronto median ($52,833)

 

For more information, please see  https://www.toronto.ca/wards2000/ward7.htm

 

Ward 8 (2006 data)

  • Ward 8 has a higher population of children, youth and young adults than the Toronto average

  • Top 5 “home languages” spoken: English, Vietnamese, Spanish, Italian, Tamil.

  • Top 5 ethnic origin groups: East Indian, Italian, Chinese, Jamaican, Vietnamese.

  • 78.1% of residents are 1st generation migrants, significantly higher than the Toronto average of 59%.

  • 31.3% of families were lone-parent families (as compared to the Toronto average of 20.3%), couples with children are slightly lower (43.3%) than the Toronto average (47%) and couples without children (25.4%) are lower than Toronto average (32.7%).

  • The unemployment rate was 10.7% in 2006 (compared to 7.6% Toronto average). The most common types of employment were in “sales and service” and manufacturing.

  • Median household income was $39,903, significantly below the Toronto median ($52,833)

 

For more information, please see  https://www.toronto.ca/wards2000/ward8.htm

 

Ward 12 (2006 data)

  • Ward 12 has a higher population of children and youth than the Toronto average

  • Top 5 “home languages” spoken: English, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish, Vietnamese.

  • Top 5 ethnic origin groups: Italian, Portuguese, Jamaican, Filipino, Vietnamese.

  • 68.5% of residents are 1st generation migrants, higher than the Toronto average of 59%.

  • 28.2% of families were lone-parent families (as compared to the Toronto average of 20.3%), couples with children are slightly lower (45.2%) than the Toronto average (47%) and couples without children (26.6%) are lower than Toronto average (32.7%).

  • The unemployment rate was 7.9% in 2006 (compared to 7.6% Toronto average). The most common types of employment were in “sales and service” and trades.

  • Median household income was $42,495, significantly below the Toronto median ($52,833)

 

For more information, please see  https://www.toronto.ca/wards2000/ward12.htm

 

Cuts to TTC

  • As with all other City Agencies, the TTC has been told to come up with a 10% reduction in its operating budget for 2012. On September 16, 2011, the Commissioners approved the amended 2012 TTC Operating Budget worth a total of $1.49 billion. The amended budget is still facing a $21 million shortfall.

  • A 10-cent fare took effect January 1, 2012. The 10-cent hike does not affect the cash fare, which remains at $3, but the cost of tokens and passes has increased. The cost of tokens is now $2.60 and the price of Metropasses jumped by $5 to $126 a month.

  • $14 million in cuts are to be achieved through cutting 482 staff, as well as through contracting out.

  • Other savings are achieved by increasing crowding standards and decreasing service frequency. During the peak periods, the crowding standards for buses will be increased by approximately 10%. Bus hours will be reduced by approximately 4,350 hours per week.

  • In essence, TTC riders will be required to pay more money for less service and more crowded vehicles at a time when TTC is projecting an all-time-high record ridership level of 503 million in 2012.

  • The “Blue Night Network” is to be maintained.

  • The Wheel-Trans Budget is still facing an $8-million shortfall, which was reduced from $16 million through staff reductions, expenditure savings and a policy decision to eliminate trips for ambulatory dialysis patients.

 

Cuts to routes that pass through Ward 7, 8, 12:

  • 29 Dufferin: In the morning peak period from Monday to Friday, two buses will be removed, and the combined service will change from every 2 min 37 s to every 2 min 50 s. The average number of customers per bus during the busiest hour will increase from 48 to 52 (standard=57).

 

In the afternoon peak period, two buses will be removed, and the combined service will change from every 3 min to every 3 min 15 s. The average number of customers per bus during the busiest hour will increase from 49 to 53. In the early evening, one bus will be removed, and the service will change from every 3 min 45 s to every 4 min. The average number of customers per bus during the busiest hour will increase from 40 to 43 (standard=46). In the late evening, one bus will be removed, and the service will change from every 6 min 30 s to every 7 min 15 s. The average number of customers per bus during the busiest hour will increase from 37 to 41.

 

In the morning on Saturday, four buses will be removed, and the combined service will change from every 3 min 45 s to every 4 min 20 s. The average number of customers per bus during the busiest hour will increase from 37 to 42.

 

In the morning on Sunday and holiday and holiday, one bus will be removed, and the combined service will change from every 4 min 45 s to every 5 min. The average number of customers per bus during the busiest hour will increase from 39 to 40. In the afternoon, two buses will be removed, and the combined service will change from every 3 min 10 s to every 3 min 23 s. The average number of customers per bus during the busiest hour will increase from 40 to 42.

  • 32 Eglinton West: In the morning peak period from Monday to Friday, three buses will be removed, and the service will change from every 1 min 48 s to every 2 min. The average number of customers per bus during the busiest hour will increase from 45 to 50 (standard=53).

 

In the midday from Monday to Friday, three buses will be removed, and the service will change from every 3 min 40 s to every 4 min. The average number of customers per bus during the busiest hour will increase from 36 to 40 (standard=46).

 

In the daytime on Saturdays, two buses will be removed, and the service will change from every 3 min 55 s to every 4 min 17 s. The average number of customers per bus during the busiest hour will increase from 28 to 31 (standard=46).

 

In the morning on Sundays and holidays, one bus will be removed, and the service will change from every 5 min 25 s to every 5 min 43 s. The average number of customers per bus during the busiest hour will increase from 27 to 29 (standard=46).

 

In the afternoon on Sundays and holidays, one bus will be removed, and the service will change from every 4 min 08 s to every 4 min 28 s. The average number of customers per bus during the busiest hour will increase from 24 to 26 (standard=46).

  • 35 Jane: In the morning peak period from Monday to Friday, three buses will be removed, and the service will change from every 2 min 51 s to every 3 min 03 s. The average number of customers per bus during the busiest hour will increase from 42 to 45 (standard=53).

 

In the afternoon peak period from Monday to Friday, four buses will be removed, and the service will change from every 3 min 10 s to every 3 min 34 s. The average number of customers per bus during the busiest hour will increase from 41 to 46 (standard=53).

 

In the morning on Sundays and holidays, two buses will be removed, and the service will change from every 5 min 30 s to every 6 min 15 s. The average number of customers per bus during the busiest hour will increase from 31 to 36 (standard=46)

 

In the afternoon on Sundays and holidays, two buses will be removed, and the service will change from every 5 min to every 5 min 37 s. The average number of customers per bus during the busiest hour will increase from 32 to 36 (standard=46)

  • 36 Finch West: In the midday from Monday to Friday, three buses will be removed, and the combined service will change from every 4 min 20 s to every 5 min. The average number of customers per bus during the busiest hour will increase from 38 to 44 (standard=46).

 

In the late evening from Monday to Friday, one bus will be removed, and the service will change from every 8 min to every 9 min. The average number of customers per bus during the busiest hour will increase from 37 to 41 (standard=46).

 

In the morning on Saturdays, two buses will be removed, and the combined service will change from every 5 min 30 s to every 6 min. The average number of customers per bus during the busiest hour will increase from 27 to 29 (standard=46).

  • 41 Keele: Service will be increased in the late evening from Monday to Friday, to reduce crowding. One bus will be added, and the service will be improved from every 24 min to every 20 min. The average number of customers per bus will be reduced from 41 to 34 (standard=36). Service will be increased in the late evenings on Saturdays, to reduce crowding. One bus will be added, and the service will be improved from every 22 min to every 18 min. The average number of customers per bus will be reduced from 43 to 35 (standard=36).

 

Service will be reduced, because of an anticipated reduction in subsidy from the City of Toronto. In the morning peak period from Monday to Friday, three buses will be removed, and the service will change from every 4 min 38 s to every 5 min 25 s. The average number of customers per bus during the busiest hour will increase from 41 to 48 (standard=53).

 

In the midday from Monday to Friday, one bus will be removed, and the service will change from every 6 min 35 s to every 7 min s. The average number of customers per bus during the busiest hour will increase from 36 to 41 (standard=46).

 

In the afternoon peak period from Monday to Friday, three buses will be removed, and the service will change from every 4 min 19 s to every 4 min 55 s. The average number of customers per bus during the busiest hour will increase from 32 to 37 (standard=53).

 

In the morning on Saturdays, two buses will be removed, and the service will change from every 8 min to every 9 min 15 s. The average number of customers per bus during the busiest hour will increase from 17 to 20 (standard=46). In the afternoon on Saturdays, two buses will be removed, and the service will change from every 6 min 15 s to every 7 min. The average number of customers per

bus during the busiest hour will increase from 31 to 34 (standard=46).

  • 52 Lawrence West: In the midday from Monday to Friday, one bus will be removed, and the service will change from every 7 min to every 7 min 30 s. The average number of customers per bus during the busiest hour will increase from 36 to 39 (standard=46). Departure times will be blended with the 58 MALTON route.

  • 58 Malton: In the midday from Monday to Friday, two buses will be removed, and the service will change from every 6 min 30 s to every 7 min 30 s. The average number of customers per bus during the busiest hour will increase from 36 to 39 (standard=46). Departure times will be blended with the 52 LAWRENCE WEST route.

  • 60 Steeles West: Service will be increased in the late evening from Monday to Friday, to reduce crowding. A westbound trip from Finch Station to Weston Road on the 60S branch will be added at approximately 10:28 p.m.

 

Service will be reduced, because of an anticipated reduction in subsidy from the City of Toronto. In the morning peak period from Monday to Friday, one bus will be removed, and the service will change from every 2 min 46 s to every 2 min 51 s. The average number of customers per bus during the busiest hour will increase from 47 to 48 (standard=53). In the midday from Monday to Friday, two buses will be removed, and the service will change from every 4 min to every 4 min 20 s. The average number of customers per bus during the busiest hour will increase from 35 to 38 (standard=46).

 

In the morning on Saturdays, one bus will be removed, and the service will change from every 5 min 30 s to every 6 min. The average number of customers per bus during the busiest hour will increase from 32 to 35 (standard=46). In the mornings on Sundays and holidays, one bus will be removed, and the service will change from every 7 min 30 s to every 8 min. The average number of customers per bus during the busiest hour will increase from 32 to 35 (standard=46).

  • 84 Sheppard West: In the midday from Monday to Friday, one bus will be removed, and the service will change from every 8 min 30 s to every 9 min 30 s. The average number of  customers per bus during the busiest hour will increase from 32 to 36 (standard=46). In the afternoon on Saturdays, one bus will be removed, and the service will change from every 7 min 15 s to every 8 min. The average number of customers per bus during the busiest hour will increase from 28 to 31 (standard=46).

  • 96 Wilson: In the morning peak period from Monday to Friday, three buses will be removed, and the service will change from every 3 min 32 s to every 4 min 03 s. The average number of customers per bus during the busiest hour will increase from 47 to 53 (standard=57). In the midday from Monday to Friday, two buses will be removed, and the service will change from every 6 min to every 6 min 38 s. The average number of customers per bus during the busiest hour will increase from 34 to 38 (standard=46). In the afternoon peak period from Monday to Friday, three buses will be removed, and the service will change from every 4 min to every 4 min 40 s. The average number of customers per bus during the busiest hour will increase from 43 to 53 (standard=57).

  • 117 Alness: In the morning peak period from Monday to Friday, one bus will be removed and the service will change from every 8 min to every 10 min. The average number of customers per bus during the busiest hour will increase from 36 to 45 (standard=53).

 

SOURCES:

Minutes from the meeting of the Toronto Transit Commissioners (September 16, 2011)

Minutes from the meeting of the Toronto Transit Commissioners (October 19, 2011)

Toronto Transit Commission Internal Memo, from Mitch Stambler (November 16, 2011), “Service Changes for the January 2012 board period.”

Child care

 

Maps and complete lists of child care centres in Wards 7, 8, 12 (including which one’s have subsidies) can be found here:

 

https://www.toronto.ca/children/wardreport/pdf/lic_child_care/ward07_c.pdf

https://www.toronto.ca/children/wardreport/pdf/lic_child_care/ward08_c.pdf

https://www.toronto.ca/children/wardreport/pdf/lic_child_care/ward12_c.pdf

  • Ward 7 has 14 childcare centres, 13 of which offer subsidized spaces. In total, there are 621 childcare spaces. There are no vacancies for infants. This Ward is currently exceeding City targets for childcare spaces. However, there are 670 children on the wait list for a subsidized space. In addition, the rollout of all-day kindergarten is expected to have an impact on the viability of childcare spaces. It is anticipated that unless more money is brought into the system, Ward 7 will lose approximately 369 child care spaces by 2014 due to child care centres closing.

  • Ward 8 has 17 childcare centres, 15 of which offer subsidized spaces. In total, there are 1019 childcare spaces. This Ward is currently exceeding City targets for childcare spaces. There are few open spaces for infants or toddlers. There are 790 children on the wait list for a subsidized space. In addition, the rollout of all-day kindergarten is expected to have an impact on the viability of childcare spaces. It is anticipated that unless more money is brought into the system, Ward 8 will lose approximately 681 child care spaces by 2014 due to child care centres closing down.

  • Ward 12 has 16 childcare centres, 13 of which offer subsidized spaces. In total, there are 689 childcare spaces. This Ward is currently exceeding City targets for childcare spaces. There are few open spaces for infants, toddlers and school age children. There are 667 children on the wait list for a subsidized space. In addition, the rollout of all-day kindergarten is expected to have an impact on the viability of childcare spaces. It is anticipated that unless more money is brought into the system, Ward 12 will lose approximately 184 child care spaces by 2014 due to child care centres closing.

  • The City Manager is proposing that Family User Fees across the City increase by 0.6%.

  • Budget proposals for 2012 would see a reduction in the amount that the City provides to schools that house childcare centres. If passed, this would result in an increase of approximately $2.00 per day for full-fee paying parents who use daycare centres in Toronto schools.

  • The City states that there is a significant Provincial funding shortfall because Provincial funding has been capped at 1996 levels, which will result in the depletion of the Child Care Expansion Reserve Fund in 2013. If base funding pressures are not resolved, service cuts, through attrition, may have to begin in 2012. It is estimated that 2,000 subsidized spaces would be lost beginning in September 2012, with a further loss of 800 subsidized spaces each year.

  • If the City decides to cut 2,000 subsidized spaces across the City, Ward 7 is projected to lose 63 spaces; Ward 8 would lose 81; Ward 12 would lose 69. If the City decides to cut 5,000 spaces, Ward 7 is projected to lose 156 spaces, Ward 8 would lose 203, Ward 12 would lose 173 subsidized spaces..

SOURCES

City of Toronto (November 2011), “City Budget 2012: Children’s Services Operating Budget Analyst Notes”.

City of Toronto (November 2011), “Children’s Services: Ward Analysis, Ward 7” (https://www.toronto.ca/children/wardanalysis/ward07.pdf)

City of Toronto (November 2011), “Children’s Services: Ward Analysis, Ward 8” (https://www.toronto.ca/children/wardanalysis/ward08.pdf)

City of Toronto (November 2011), “Children’s Services: Ward Analysis, Ward 8” (https://www.toronto.ca/children/wardanalysis/ward12.pdf)

City of Toronto (November 2011), “Child Care Vacancy Maps” (https://www.toronto.ca/children/vac_maps.htm).

City of Toronto (November 29, 2011), “Children Waiting for Subsidy by Age Group and Ward” (https://www.toronto.ca/children/dmc/wait.pdf).

City of Toronto (accessed November 29, 2011), “Potential impacts of reduced child care funding” (https://www.toronto.ca/children/funding/ceil_map_r2k_ct.htm).

Libraries

  • Ford has demanded that the Toronto Public Library Board reduce its budget by 10% for 2012. In order to achieve the necessary reduction without closing branches, the Toronto Public Library will need to reduce its hours. The proposed reductions are the equivalent of closing 8 libraries.

  • The City Librarian is proposing a reduction of its budget of 5.7% (almost $10 million) for 2012, which 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.

  • If service reductions go ahead, the affected libraries in Wards 7, 8 and 12 are:

    • York Woods (1785 Finch Ave. West) – currently open 63.0 hours per week, these hours will be reduced to 59.5 hours per week.

    • Evelyn Gregory (120 Trowell Ave) – currently open 50.5 hours per week, these hours will be reduced to 40.0 hours per week.

  • The Amesbury Park, Black Creek, Humber Summit and Woodview Park branches are not facing service cuts at present. Notably, three of these branches are in Mammoliti’s ward (are strong Ford ally).

  • The Chief Librarian notes that fewer open hours reduces service levels in two ways: the branch is open fewer hours for residents to visit and it limits the time available for study, accessing collections, programs, etc.; and when the library is open, the space will be more congested and crowded, reducing access to study space, computers and to zoned spaces including those for teens, children and preschoolers.

  • The library workers collective agreement expired at the end of 2011. Negotiations for a new collective agreement are expected to begin soon.

 

SOURCES:

Memo from City Librarian to Toronto Public Library Board, “2012 Operating Budget Submission” (Octobr 17, 2011)e. https://www.torontopubliclibrary.ca/content/about-the-library/pdfs/board/meetings/2011/oct17/11.pdf

 

Toronto Public Library Board, “2012 Operating Budget Submission – Monday to Saturday & Sunday Service Hours Reduction” (October 17, 2011). https://www.torontopubliclibrary.ca/content/about-the-library/pdfs/board/meetings/2011/oct17/11_5.pdf

Recreation Centres and Ward 7, 8 and 12

  • Major service cuts and user fees are proposed for 2012.

 

  • Jane-Finch (Wards 7 and 8) is a “priority neighbourhoods”. This means that it receives additional funding for things like recreational centres.

 

  • Prior to this year, recreational activities in the rec centres in “priority areas” were free. However, in 2011, fees were introduced for adult programs in priority areas. Those with low incomes had to apply for a fee reduction/waiver through the “Welcome Policy”. However, the Welcome Policy is significantly underfunded and cannot provide funding for all applicants. City staff estimate that 20% of users will drop out of recreational programs due to the implementation of user fees in priority centres.

 

  • City of Toronto staff have recommended that fees be implemented for children and youth programming in priority areas, commencing in 2012.

 

  • City-wide, 10% increases are recommended for the following City of Toronto recreational programs: Introductory Instructional Programs; Instructional Arts & General Interest Programs; Instructional Sport and Fitness Programs; Instructional Skate Programs.

 

  • More cuts to recreation: closure of 10 arenas in off-peak hours (including Chris Tonks arena in Ward 12, Habitant Arena in Ward 7, John Booth Arena in Ward), and increases in recreation user fees, membership and drop-in fees and facility permit costs that range from 3% to 18%

 

  • City of Toronto staff have recommended the elimination of the City’s programs in 7 out of 33 Toronto District School Board (TDSB) owned pools where current City of Toronto aquatic recreation programs are offered (none of the 7 are in Wards 7, 8 or 12).

 

  • Staff have also recommended discontinuing programming at 12 of 29 TDSB locations where the City has shared use or exclusive use agreements or leases (none of the 12 are in Wards 7, 8 or 12).

 

  • Closure of 5 wading pools (MacGregor Playground, Fred Hamilton Playground, Alexandra Park, Wellesley Park and Kempton Howard Park) and  2 outdoor pools (Stanley Park and Fairhaven). None of these are in Wards 7, 8 or 12.

SOURCE

City of Toronto Priority Areas With Wards: https://www.toronto.ca/demographics/pdf/priority2006/priority_areas_with_wards.pdf

City of Toronto (November 28, 2011), “City Budget 2012: Parks, Forestry and Recreation Operating Budget Analyst Notes.”

Parks Forestry and Recreation Service Change locations (December 1, 2011): https://www.toronto.ca/budget2012/pdf/pfr_service_locns.pdf

Community Grants

  • Toronto’s Community Grants are delivered through the Community Partnership and Investment Program (CPIP). The proposed budget includes a recommendation to cut 9.8% or $4.293 million from CPIP which had a 2011 total budget of $42.932 million. CPIP funds nonprofit community organizations to provide social service, arts and public health programs in local communities, larger geographic areas and on a city-wide basis.

  • The budget does not identify which organizations or programs will be cut. If City Council votes in favour of making this cut, we will only learn how the cuts will be implemented several months from now through the City’s grants allocation process. The cuts could be implemented across the board or targeted at specific organizations or programs. Therefore all organizations and programs are at risk.

  • Cuts looming will likely slash from all areas of the community grant program:

  • Public Health,

  • Community Services,

  • Arts and Culture,

  • Shelter, Support and Housing Administration

  • Economic Development

  • City Planning

  • and 1652 Keele (For Youth Initiative).

  • In addition to the reduction in funding, it appears that the CPIP is changing form — its budget will be overseen by the respective areas listed above, except for 1652 Keele.

  • 2010 CPIP-funded organizations located in Wards 7, 8, 12 include::

  • Belka Enrichment Centre

  • Black Creek Community Health Centre

  • Conflict Mediation Services of Downsview

  • Doorsteps Neighbourhood Services

  • Film Stars Project (The)

  • Highclass

  • Jamaican Canadian Association

  • PEACH   Promoting Education and Community Health

  • Toronto Food Business Incubator (TFBI)

  • Art Gallery of York University

  • Canadian Cambodian Association of Ontario

  • Canadian Turkish Friendship Community

  • Caribbean Global Missions

  • Elspeth Heyworth Centre for Women

  • Jane Finch Community and Family Centre

  • Jane-Finch On the Move

  • Les Amis Concerts

  • Russian-Canadian Theatrical Community Centre

  • Salon du Livre de Toronto

  • San Romanoway Revitalization Association

  • Tobermory Community Activities

  • Tower Labs

  • Bright Future Alliance

  • Community Action Resource Centre

  • For Youth Initiative in Toronto

  • St. Clair West Services for Seniors, Inc.

  • Syme-Woolner Neighbourhood & Family Centre

  • Toronto Foundation for Student Success

  • Woman Abuse Council of Toronto

  • It is important to note that additional agencies may provide services in Wards 7, 8 & 12, but have their headquarters located elsewhere. CPIP funds a total of 591 agencies delivering services on a city-wide basis. As well, the above list of CPIP-funded agencies does not include arts organizations that receive CPIP funding administered through the Toronto Arts Council.

  • City Council is considering major cuts to the Student Nutrition Program, a program that is also funded through the Community Grants program. Right now, the City funds 669 student nutrition programs that provide meals for 129,147 children and youth. Approval of the recommended cuts will result in a reduction of approximately 58 student nutrition programs (impacting 14,049 children and youth).

  • Toronto Partners for Student Nutrition (TPSN) administers the Student Nutrition Programs. TPSN is not a City program but relies heavily on City grants. Funding for the Student Nutrition Programs comes from the province, the City, parental contributions and local fundraising.

  • In terms of City money, the 2011 operating budget the Student Nutrition Program was $3,819,580 from the Community Partnership and Investment Program (CPIP). A request by the Board of Health to extend municipal funding to 30 schools was not approved this year.

  • In 2010, Student Nutrition Programs provided over 131,393 Toronto children and youth with access to nutritious food.

  • The Student Nutrition Program has more than tripled in the past decade. The elementary school participation rate is 98.7% (up from a projected rate of 70% in 2008/2009). The youth participation rate is 35% (up from a projected rate of 28% in 2008/2009).

  • Ongoing pressure on the program due to rising food costs and increasing participation rates, along with the program’s dependence on parental contributions and fundraising, threatens the sustainability of the program.

  • In 2010, the proportion of program costs funded through government sources ranged from 9-21%, down from 12-23% in 2009.

  • When school communities are not able to successfully fundraise or obtain parental contributions and other donations, the nutritional quality of food served suffers. Often portion sizes and the number of food groups are reduced. Other school communities may be forced to limit how often the nutrition program is offered.

 

SOURCES

 

City of Toronto, “City Budget 2012: Community Partnership & Investment Program Operating Budget Analyst Notes”.

 

Memo from Medical Officer of Health to Board of Health, “2011 Budget Request for Strengthening Student Nutrition Programs in Toronto: Year Two of a Five-Year Plan” (December 22, 2010).

 

Memo from Medical Officer of Health to Board of Health: “Staff Report: 2011/2012 Student Nutrition Program Service Subsidies” (April 15, 2011).

 

City Council agenda item HL4.6 from minutes of May 17, 2011.

 

Housing and Homelessness in Wards 7, 8 and 12

  • The Toronto Community Housing Corporation voted on October 21 to sell off 706 houses, most of which are Rent-Geared-to-Income.

  • The next decision point is the Executive Committee, which meets on January 24, followed closely by the Council meeting, which will make the decision to sell or not to sell

 

  • This will be followed by the City approaching the Ontario government for Ministerial approval of the sale of the bulk of them

 

  • Councillor Adam Vaughan told a meeting in December that there are 4 votes that need to be swayed to vote against the sale: Jaye Robinson (Ward 25); Michelle Berardinetti (Ward 35); Josh Colle (Ward 15); Josh Matlow (Ward 22)

 

  • The official rationale is that there is no other way to raise money for the $650,000,000 need in repairs and capital replacements, although there have been reports that the proceeds will go to build 6 subway stops on the Sheppard line, not to repairs at TCHC

 

  • This will make the wait list time for subsidized housing a lot longer as 700 households are put to the front of the list

 

  • It is not clear what happens to the 50 (approx) market rent tenants – TCHC says it will “help” them but they are not legally obliged to.

 

  • Of the 706 homes identified for sale, 3 are in Ward 7 (none from Wards 8 or 12).

  • City Council has already made a cut of $100,000 to the Tenant Defense Fund. Council voted to cut $75,000 from tenant support services, currently delivered by the Federation of Metro Tenants’ Associations, and $25,000 from the fund. Councillor Davis’ motion to restore $75,000 to this program failed by 1 vote, 22-23.

  • The City has already introduced a reduction in nearly 35,000 bed-nights in family shelters – a 2.4% cut to budget for shelter bed-nights.

  • The City is proposing to shut down 3 shelters – none are within the boundaries of Wards 7, 8 or 12.

 

SOURCES

 

City of Toronto (November 28, 2011), “2012 Staff Recommended Tax Supported Operating Budget.”

 

TCHC news release, “Plan to raise $300 million for repairs receives Board approval” (October 21, 2011)

 

Advocacy Centre for Tenants – Ontario (ACTO)

General overview of additional city-wide proposed cuts

  • Elimination of the Hardship Fund by June 2012 – supported over 1,500 seniors in 2011, particularly senior women, and people with disabilities with serious health problems
  • Closure of three homeless shelters – Birchmount, Downsview Dells and Bellwoods
  • Closure of visitor cafeterias in 10 long term care homes
  • Elimination of over 2,300 good City jobs
  • Cuts to services that maintain a healthy tree canopy
  • Cuts to sustainable energy and climate change policy development and implementation

Comments are closed.