It’s budget day again. The budget has moved to the next phase and for one day and one day only will be considered by Mayor Tory’s executive committee. Here’s a refresher: thestar.com/news/gta/2020/…
There hasn’t been much fight in this budget. If there are motions to try to raise taxes/add more spending from the left, that’ll be at council next week (Feb. 19). So far, Tory has agreed to add spending for Ravine Strategy and anti-gun violence programs thestar.com/news/gta/2020/…
Still not funded is the $5.1M the library wants for a comprehensive plan to increase library hours thestar.com/news/city_hall…
Tory starts presser conference at city hall talking about TTC disruption. Says info he has is that a work train derailed around 5:30AM when those work trains are coming back to park ahead of rush hour - “the worst possible time.” No safety issues. 100+ shuttle busss deployed 
Tory calls the budget as it is today “good” and “realistic” — invests in poverty reduction, environment, and solving root causss of violence among other things while “preserving” all city services and finding “efficiencies”
Tory spending some time highlighting new youth violence prevention spending now included in the budget after pressure over lack of funds. This budget now funds a total 20 new youth hubs - safe, dedicated spaces across the city in libraries and community centres
This budget still does not fund $26.2M in community-based programs left unfunded in the city’s anti-gun violence plan that council approved in 2018.
Mayor says he’s received many “positive comments” from federal government about funding needs - supportive/affordable housing, gun violence and refugees — “I realize that I can’t take those to the bank.”
However, Tory acknowledges he’ll want council to approve this budget as is — with a gap that assumes that funding coming from federal government. “I think we do it the way we do it,” he says. There is no guarantee these tens of millions of dollars will be in the federal budget
Executive committee has begun. You can watch here:
Tory declares an interest in several budgets as it relates to funds for expansion of television/telephone/etc. services based on his continuing position on the Rogers Control Trust
With little discussion and as expected, executive has approved staff-recommended property tax increases with little debate. Total residential increase would be 4.24% including 1.5% increase to the city building fund earlier announced by Tory for transit and housing projects
City's CFO, as was done last year and earlier in this budget process, is presenting the city budget as "balanced" even though it has a $77-million hole in it with expectation that the federal government will fill it later
This is what press gallery members have come to understand as budget "magic"
Staff say they will try to cover as much new geographic ground as possible with expansion of youth hubs and are already meeting on roll-out of where those spaces will be, which open first
"This budget chief has left very little for me to pick up," Councillor Layton says now
Ainslie asks about plans for Scarborough Village CC gymnasium funding that he thought was previously included as a capital project. Staff are checking and will get back to him (cc: @ScarboroughCAN)
Thompson asks Chief Saunders now about @EdTubb story on drop in traffic tickets: thestar.com/news/gta/2020/…
@EdTubb Saunders said he hasn't read the story, didn't read the Star today - "shocking", he says (in a way that makes me believe he was being sarcastic).
Saunders essentially says it would be wrong to draw correlation between drop in tickets, decrease in enforcement and number of pedestrian deaths
@EdTubb "What's the state of TCHC these days?" Thompson asks, a question that could probably take up all of the time we have left before lunch.
"In summary, it is improving," CEO Kevin Marshman says
"In summary, it is improving," CEO Kevin Marshman says
@EdTubb We are now through all the exec questions to staff and on to speakers. There will be motions. I'll tell you if they're interesting!
Sounds like the money requested from at least the ombudsman for more staff is being added into the budget. Not clear about integrity commissioner request for more $ for needed staff. Ombudsman investigates public service, IC investigates council members
Ainslie, a member of Tory's executive, has introduced motions the budget chief and deputy mayor appear surprised to see.
Pasternak is asking Ainslie if he knows what kind of "chaos" would be created if all councillors introduced motions for pet projects. Some real tension here. Tory is trying to mediate. This committee is the mayor's inner circle.
(Pasternak has, for years, moved to try to include a transit project in his ward that was not anywhere near the top of the staff or council priority list)
Ainslie's motions ask for elevator project at Tam Heather Curling and Tennis Club to be considered in next year's budget and $50,000 for lighting on a pathway in his ward in this budget (unclear where that funding is coming from)
Crawford moves to add funding for ombudsman, auditor general and year of public art
Tory moves that council ask the federal government to permanently double the gas tax fund, in line with @FCM_online request. He's thanking Crawford and his own staff now.
@FCM_online Tory is addressing unnamed critics, arguing this budget is "responsible" and challenges them to stand up and say they wouldn't invest in more policing and other initiatives funded in the budget this committee is about to approve.
@FCM_online All these motions are approved by executive and this budget is now shipped off for final approval by council next week with few changes and still a $77-million hole the federal government has yet to agree to plug.
