North York

Last Update: December 15

Wards 9 & 10
Councillors: Ward 9 Maria Augimeri; Ward 10: James Pasternak

Demographic features of York Centre

Ward 9

  • Ward 9 has a large population of Seniors, making up 27% of the population (slightly higher than the population in Toronto more generally).

 

  • The top 5 “home languages” are English, Italian, Spanish, Vietnamese and Chinese (particular language not specified).

 

  • The top 5 ethnic groups are Italian, Jamaican, Vietnamese, Chinese and East Indian.

 

  • 70% of residents are first generation migrants (compared to 59% in Toronto more generally).

 

  • 25% of families with children in the Ward are lone-parent families.

 

  • The unemployment rate is 7.7%. For those who are employed, “sales and service” is the largest sector of employment.

 

  • The median household income is $46,224 (compared to $52,833 in  Toronto more generally).

Ward 9: https://www.toronto.ca/wards2000/ward9.htm

Ward 10

  • Like Ward 9, Ward 10 has a large population of Seniors, making up close to 28% of the population.

 

  • The top 5 “home languages” are English, Russian, Tagalog, Italian and Korean.

 

  • The top 5 ethnic groups are Jewish, Filipino, Russian, Italian and Chinese.

 

  • 68.9% of residents are first generation migrants (compared to 59% in Toronto more generally).

 

  • 17.9% of families with children in the Ward are lone-parent families.

 

  • The unemployment rate is 7.5%. For those who are employed, “sales and service” is the largest sector of employment.

 

  • The median household income is $47,028 (compared to $52,833 in  Toronto more generally).

Ward 10: https://www.toronto.ca/wards2000/ward10.htm

 

Seniors

 

See the separate document detailing overview of how cuts affect seniors.

 

Community Grants and York Centre

 

The budget includes a recommendation to cut 9.8% or 4.293 million from the Community Partnership and Investment Program (CPIP) which has 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 would 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.

 

2010 CPIP-funded organizations located in Ward 9:

  • Working Together (local)

  • Friends in Trouble (F.I.T.) Youth Initiative (local)

  • Delta Family Resource Centre (area)

  • Manantial Neighbourhood Services (area)

  • Centre for Spanish Speaking Peoples (city-wide)

  • Lao Association of Ontario (city-wide)

  • P.A.D. Parent Action on Drugs (city-wide)

 

2010 CPIP-funded organizations located in Ward 10:

  • Bathurst Finch Food Action Team (local)

  • Bernard Betel Centre for Creative Living (area)

  • Downsview Services to Seniors, Inc. (area)

  • Circle of Home Care Services (Toronto) (city-wide)

  • Community Association for Riding for the Disabled (city-wide)

  • Koffler Gallery (city-wide)

  • National Council of Jewish Women of Canada, Toronto Section (city-wide)

  • Prosserman Jewish Community Centre (city-wide)

 

It is important to note that additional agencies may provide services in Wards 9 and/or 10, but have their headquarters located elsewhere.  CPIP funds a total of 591 agencies delivering services on a city-wide basis.  As well, these lists of CPIP-funded agencies do not include arts organizations that receive CPIP funding administered through the Toronto Arts Council.

 

Cuts to TTC affecting York Centre

  • 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.

  • There is a 10 cent fare increase planned for January 2012.

  • $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 per cent. The plans for the Dufferin and Lawrence West buses are detailed below. 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.

  • 7 Bathurst: From Monday to Friday, in the morning peak period, three buses will be removed and the service will change from every 5 min 30 s to every 6 min 30 s. The average number of customers per bus during the busiest hour will increase from 42 to 50 (standard=53). In the midday, three buses will be removed and the service will change from every 6 min 30 s to every 8 min. The average number of customers per bus during the busiest hour will increase from 30 to 43 (standard=46). In the afternoon peak period, two buses will be removed and the service will change from every 6 min to every 6 min 45 s. The average number of customers per bus during the busiest hour will increase from 41 to 46. In the early evening, one bus will be removed and the service will change from every 7 min 30 s to every 8 min 30 s. The average number of customers per bus during the busiest hour will increase from 33 to 38. On Saturdays, one bus will be removed in the morning, 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 34 to 38. In the afternoon, three buses will be removed and the service will change from every 6 min 15 s to every 7 min 45 s. The average number of customers per bus during the busiest hour will increase from 39 to 41. On Sundays and holidays, one bus will be removed in the morning, and the service will change from every 9 min to every 10 min. The average number of customers per bus during the busiest hour will increase from 34 to 38. In the afternoon, two buses will be removed and the service will change from every 6 min 30 s to every 7 min 40 s. The average number of customers per bus during the busiest hour will increase from 36 to 43.

  • 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.

  • 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 increase – Ridership monitoring and service adjustment.  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 cuts – City of Toronto subsidy reduction. 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).

  • 60 Steeles West: Service increase – Ridership monitoring and service adjustment.  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 cuts – City of Toronto subsidy reduction. 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).

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 in York Centre

  • You can find a map and complete list of child care centres in Ward 9 and 10 (including which one’s have subsidies) here:

 

https://www.toronto.ca/children/wardreport/pdf/2011/lic_child_care/ward9_c.pdf

https://www.toronto.ca/children/wardreport/pdf/2011/lic_child_care/ward10_c.pdf

  • Ward 9 has 16 childcare centres, 14 of which offer subsidized spaces. In total, there are 722 childcare spaces. This Ward is currently exceeding City targets for childcare spaces, with the exception of spaces for Infants which are 12% below target. However, there are 499 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, 44% of the childcare centres in Ward 9 are at risk of closure in 2014.

  • Ward 10 has 17 childcare centres, 13 of which offer subsidized spaces. In total, there are 983 childcare spaces. This ward is currently exceeding City targets for childcare spaces, with the exception of spaces for Infants which are 25% below target. However, there are 633 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, 24% of the childcare centres in Ward 10 are at risk of closure in 2014.

  • The City Manager is proposing that Family User Fees 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 9 is projected to lose 43 spaces with Ward 10 losing 41 spaces. If the City decides to cut 5,000 spaces, Ward 9 is projected to lose 107 spaces, with Ward 10 losing 104 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 10” (https://www.toronto.ca/children/wardanalysis/ward10.pdf)

City of Toronto (November 2011), “Children’s Services, Ward Analysis, Ward 9” (https://www.toronto.ca/children/wardanalysis/ward09.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).

Housing and Homelessness in Wards 9 & 10

  • The Toronto Community Housing Corporation voted on October 21 to sell off 706 houses. The minutes are not yet available. But according to the release, the idea is that the money from the sales would be used to pay for repairs to other public housing units.

  • The proposal now goes before City Council for approval. It is likely that most sales will also require provincial approval.

  • Of the 706 homes identified for sale, 16 are from Wards 9 & 10.

  • 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 – 2.4% cut to budget for shelter bed nights.

 

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)

Library Service Reductions and York Centre

  • 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. This reduction is 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 9 and 10 are:

    • Downsview (2793 Keele Street) – currently open 62 hours a week, these hours will be reduced to 56 hours per week.

    • Jane/Sheppard (1906 Sheppard Ave West) – currently open 50.5 hours a week, these hours will be reduced to 48 hours per week.

  • The Centennial District Branch in Ward 10 would not see reductions in hours.

  • 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 expires in March 2012.

 

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 Centre and Priority Neighbourhoods in Wards 9 and 10

  • Jane-Finch (Ward 9) and Westminster-Branson (Ward 10) have each been identified as “priority neighbourhoods”. This means that they receive additional funding for things like recreational centres.

 

  • Prior to this year, recreational activities in the rec centres in these “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.

 

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

 

  • 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.

 

  • 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. Locations are confidential. Staff have also recommended discontinuing programming at 12 of 29 TDSB locations where the City has shared use or exclusive use agreements or leases.

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.”

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