TORONTO – Toronto city council approved a 2.23 per cent property tax hike by a big margin on Wednesday, much to the displeasure of Mayor Rob Ford.
City council voted 32-13 in favour of the increase which left Ford fuming.
“They want to spend like druken sailors, you know what, that’s what happens when I’m not in charge,” Ford told reporters Wednesday. “The gravy train is back and running, full steam at city hall.”
Ford had wanted a 1.75 increase and vowed to find efficiencies to offset the lower increase.
But Deputy Mayor Norm Kelly called the increase reasonable, which would also help to pay for the cost of the Scarborough subway.
“I think he’s wrong. Budget to budget, this council came in at a lower rate than the one he passed in 2013,” Kelly said.
The budget debate continues today at city hall and there’s speculation that talks could even move into Friday.
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