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On Wednesday, Jan. 10, the Metropolis of Toronto workers launched the 2024 funds.
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This funds proposes an unprecedented double-digit property tax enhance whereas lowering service ranges for applications such because the elimination of windrow clearing, and a big discount to the Toronto Police funds.
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We have to create a fiscally accountable funds that doesn’t all the time search refuge within the taxpayer. We should discover efficiencies internally, with out chopping core companies. I consider that is attainable.
As a metropolis with an getting old inhabitants, we promote seniors aging-in-place and to take action, they want sustainable assist companies, which incorporates reinstating the windrow snow clearing service.
It’s no secret that in these making an attempt instances, we’re observing acts of brazen crime like by no means earlier than. In keeping with the Toronto Police Service, emergency calls are up 18% as of 2023. This statistic is troubling because the TPS additionally notice a 43% enhance in reported hate crimes and a pointy rise in violent carjackings, together with different important security considerations.
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Our police complement has decreased by greater than 600 officers since 2010 whereas the inhabitants of our metropolis has grown considerably.
We’re handing the keys of town to the criminals and giving them free reign when we’re not offering the police with the assist, instruments and sources they should maintain our streets protected. It might be negligent to cut back the police funds by $12.6 million.
At a crucial time like this, we should assist the Toronto Police Service. It’s discouraging to see that this funds fails to significantly deal with the much-needed funding required to make sure the adequacy and effectiveness of police companies for our metropolis.
Households are scuffling with the continued rise in price of dwelling, whereas fearing for his or her security. This isn’t the Toronto I do know.
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In addressing the funding for shelters and supportive housing for homeless and refugees, the federal authorities should step up, take duty and pay their payments.
With no formal funding dedication, a further 6% property tax might be added to offset the estimated $250-million hole. I don’t assist this strategic transfer threatening taxpayers to bear this price.
I’ve develop into more and more pissed off with the federal authorities’s dealing with of the newcomer arrivals in Canada. It’s completely heartbreaking to see the magnitude of this subject in Etobicoke North. I’ve by no means seen something like this.
I’ve personally witnessed on Albion Street the a whole lot of refugees and their kids sleeping on the ground with little to eat. There are extraordinary neighborhood leaders, native organizations, and church buildings who’ve stepped in to fill this hole and have assisted our efforts in offering protected areas for our newcomers throughout our communities out of their very own pockets as we grapple with this subject.
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It’s inexcusable that the federal authorities refuses to pay their justifiable share. Newcomers arrive in our nation looking for new alternatives, however as soon as they set foot in Canada, many are left to fend for themselves. The pressures of our fractured shelter system is not only a Metropolis of Toronto subject. We should maintain the federal authorities accountable — they should personal this disaster and supply additional help to the Metropolis of Toronto.
This 2024 funds proposal has damaged the sound barrier and isn’t supportable by any stretch of the creativeness.
I keep dedicated to advocate and make sure the voices of Etobicoke North residents are heard at Metropolis Corridor throughout this funds course of.
— Vincent Crisanti is town councillor for Ward 1, Etobicoke North
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