A very good sign.
Jan. 28th, 2008 07:41 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
c9Toronto, in case you're unaware, is a bit screwed at the moment. The city has been overspending and undersaving for several years, has no reserves left, and really needs to change things. They started that last year with new land transfer and licensing taxes, but many people feel that they "should put their house in order first", essentially that they should be doing fine and not wasting money on anything the speaker disagrees with before levying new taxes. There's an argument to be made, and my general position is that yes there is waste, but the waste would only cover about 3% of the hole they've got, so we need to move faster.
In any event, this morning's Globe & Mail tells us that the Mayor will announce a balanced budget for council to consider today. This is awesome. It's one thing to complain that the city needs more help from the province and is in danger of bankruptcy, but it's completely another to complain when you've balanced the budget and can show the specific areas that are still out of reach or hurting your municipality. Just like balancing the federal budget, this will allow for huge gains in future as we grow within our means. Hopefully there won't be as much pain as in Canada in 93-97, but it's necessary.
For reference, Toronto's budget (I think) and population are both greater than all four Atlantic provinces combined. The city faces very different challenges than both a province or a more average-sized city, so getting their sh*t together is a very good thing.
(If I'm still living in East York in 2010 I am so running for city council and beating our current councillor and big negative norbert Case Ootes. :-)
In any event, this morning's Globe & Mail tells us that the Mayor will announce a balanced budget for council to consider today. This is awesome. It's one thing to complain that the city needs more help from the province and is in danger of bankruptcy, but it's completely another to complain when you've balanced the budget and can show the specific areas that are still out of reach or hurting your municipality. Just like balancing the federal budget, this will allow for huge gains in future as we grow within our means. Hopefully there won't be as much pain as in Canada in 93-97, but it's necessary.
For reference, Toronto's budget (I think) and population are both greater than all four Atlantic provinces combined. The city faces very different challenges than both a province or a more average-sized city, so getting their sh*t together is a very good thing.
(If I'm still living in East York in 2010 I am so running for city council and beating our current councillor and big negative norbert Case Ootes. :-)
no subject
Date: 2008-02-04 05:21 am (UTC)- Justin