Tory asks budget chair to consider spending freezes, target investments ahead of Tuesday meeting

TORONTO –Mayor John Tory has written an open letter to budget chair Gary Crawford ahead of Tuesday’s meeting, asking the committee to look into possible spending freezes and target investments.

On Tuesday, the city manager and chief financial officer will put forward the 2016 preliminary budget for the city.

“This is an important moment for Toronto as we have the opportunity to address some underlying issues with the state of our finances, while keeping taxes low and investing in priority areas that will make this city better for our hard-­‐working residents,” Tory said in a statement Monday.

“As the city’s Budget Chief, I encourage you and your committee to work together to achieve these important goals.”

Tory outlined priorities for the upcoming budget, which include exploring spending restraints.

The mayor previously asked departments to find two per cent efficiencies, but he said on Monday that although some departments managed to meet that goal, it still wasn’t successful across the board.

“We need to demonstrate that we are serious about changing the way we budget in this city,” Tory said.

“And so as we work to reform our government spending, I would respectfully request that you and your committee freeze a range of discretionary spending accounts at current levels.”

Tory suggested looking into freezes in departments that include travel, conferences and seminars, business meetings and entertain expenses.

“Applied across the board, including at city agencies and corporations, freezing spending on these items will save the city millions of dollars this year without affecting our ability to provide services to the public,” he said.

In addition to spending freezes, Tory asked the chair to consider target investments for areas like transit, poverty reduction and emergency services.

“We have been working hard to expand and enhance TTC service for people across Toronto… These ongoing enhancements are important to the quality of life for Toronto, and must be expanded through additional investments in 2016, including improved Sunday service,” Tory said.

The mayor is asking the budget committee to consider increasing the number of paramedics available to respond to emergency calls and provide “additional investment, especially in child nutrition programs, jobs for youth and seniors’ care for the city’s TO Prosperity poverty reduction strategy.

READ MORE: Tory proposes 0.5% tax hike for transit and housing projects

Less than 2 weeks ago, Tory announced a proposed new ‘City Building Fund’ that would require a 0.5 per cent tax hike, where money would be used for transit and housing projects.

The budget committee will meet Tuesday morning at City Hall.