Yesterday afternoon, Mayor Chow and I officially launched the 2025 Pre-Budget consultation process. You may remember that we had a whole slew of Budget engagement opportunities last year, from in-person consultation meetings, to telephone town halls, to online surveys. These were invaluable in shaping the 2024 Budget, and we are committed to facilitating this process again so that you can help shape the 2025 Budget.
Long-time readers of this E-Blast will know that I’ve always tended to nerd out about the Budget, even before I became Budget Chief. That’s because our City Budget is so much more than just numbers. It represents our shared vision for the city we are building together. The Budget reflects our priorities, shaping the city we live in today and determining the city we will leave for future generations. The Budget is a powerful tool—I would argue it’s the most powerful tool we have at City Hall. It allows us to tackle challenges, create new opportunities, and plan for a better, more equitable future for Toronto.
What is so important to me about these Pre-Budget consultations is that they allow you to share your views on the Budget before it’s finalized. This allows me, Mayor Chow, and my fellow Councillors to ensure the Budget we develop truly aligns with your priorities.
Last year’s response to the Pre-Budget consultations was remarkable. Nearly 11,000 Torontonians participated in 16 consultation sessions, and your message was clear. Torontonians want to see investments in four key areas: safety, mobility, affordability, and community services. Your feedback directly influenced last year’s Budget and helped us allocate resources where they matter most to our communities.
This resulted in significant achievements and improvements here in Toronto. After finding a historic $600 million in efficiencies through the Budget process last year, we set to work making strategic investments that would deliver the most impact guided by your priorities. We expanded the Toronto Community Crisis Service, which now offers non-police led, community-based response to persons experiencing mental health crises across the city. We hired hundreds of new police officers, firefighters, and paramedics to decrease emergency response times and keep Torontonians safe. We improved TTC service and safety, and expanded our incredibly effective Traffic Agent program to keep our streets moving.
There’s more. We extended hours at library branches across the city to better serve our communities. We created new shelter and supportive housing beds to move people out of homelessness. We helped over 2200 households avoid eviction through the Toronto Rent Bank. I could go on but, even with all of these achievements, I know our work is far from done.
We want to keep this momentum going. This year, we’re building on our successes and asking for your continued participation in the Budget process. Your input is essential to ensure the Budget reflects the real needs in every corner of our city. We want to hear from you: What city services do you use, and why are they important to you? What should we invest more in, and where can we save in the upcoming Budget? What big ideas do you have for the future of our city?
I know that Don Valley North came out strong for our pre-Budget consultations last year. I’m excited to announce that we have even more ways for you to share your feedback in the meetings this year, including a digital game that makes you the Budget Chief of Toronto. To make the consultation process accessible, we’re hosting six events: four in-person and two online. We’ll also have an online survey that is available in 12 languages. I’ve included all of the dates, times, and locations below. These are all ways you can share your thoughts on the Budget directly with me, Mayor Chow, and the City Finance team.
Saturday, October 19, 12:00 – 2:00 PM, North York Memorial Hall (5110 Yonge St)
Wednesday, October 23, 7:00 – 9:00 PM, Virtual Meeting
Thursday, October 24, 7:00 – 9:00 PM, Scarborough Civic Centre (150 Borough Dr)
Sunday, October 27, 12:00 – 2:00 PM, Rose Avenue Junior Public School (675 Ontario St)
Monday, October 28, 7:00 – 9:00 PM, Etobicoke Olympium (590 Rathburn Road)
Wednesday, October 30, 7:00 – 9:00 PM, Virtual Meeting
You can find more details about ways to get involved and register for these meetings at the link below:
As we head into the 2025 Budget process, I’m also proud to report that we are in a stronger financial position this year due to our efforts last year. However, we still have some challenges ahead. This will be a leaner Budget year. We’re on a multi-year journey to regain full financial health, which means we need both prudent decision-making at City Hall and sustained support from both the Provincial and Federal governments. Without that support, we cannot fully meet the needs of our growing city. As Budget Chief, I will continue to work hard to find efficiencies wherever possible and will work with Mayor Chow to advocate for long-term financial support for Toronto. Together, these measures will allow us to deliver the services Torontonians expect and deserve.
Shana Tovah!
Shanah Tovah! I want to wish a sweet and joyous New Year to all who celebrate Rosh Hashanah. May this year bring peace, health, and happiness to you and your loved ones. Let’s reflect, renew, and embrace new beginnings together.
Anniversary of the October 7th Attack on Israel
As we approach the anniversary of the October 7th attack on Israel, I also want to acknowledge the pain and grief that so many continue to endure. These are difficult days for many in our community.
Across Toronto, people will come together to remember this solemn occasion, whether in grief, prayer, or to call for peace and the safe return of hostages.
In Canada, we deeply cherish our right to gather publicly, and it is essential that as we come together, we do so in a way that fosters unity, respect, and safety. We must be resolute in rejecting any form of violence, hatred, or antisemitism.
On Wednesday, Chief Demkiw announced that there will be an increased police presence to ensure the safety of all. To learn more, please visit the link below: