User Fees Could Go Up
Posted January 14, 2011 9:58 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
The city is poised to raise user fees on several programs and services in an effort to raise $23 million to balance the 2011 operating budget.
City Council is proposing several fee increases; many in the three per cent range that critics claim will hit Toronto’s most vulnerable citizens the hardest.
User fees are expected to be charged for previously free adult-recreation programs at community centres in priority neighbourhoods. Those programs will cost $68 if the proposal is approved. People officially below the poverty line would have to apply for an exemption.
“Mayor Ford says on the one hand people can’t afford to pay all these taxes we have so we have to freeze them and then people using the services, he doesn’t seem to care about them,” Coun. Gord Perks said.
Enrolling your kids in recreation programs including swimming, dance, martial arts and day camps is also expected to go up three per cent.
“It takes many years and many different classes for them to actually get to the point of comfort so it would add up over time,” said Colleen, whose son is enrolled in swimming.
There’s also some bad news for those with future wedding plans. The cost of a marriage licence could increase $10 to $130 and if you plan to walk down the aisle at a civic centre that cost could also go up to $100.
A big hike is also expected for false fire alarms.
“The fact is that compared to other GTA municipalities we do not cover the costs of the programs we provide,” budget chief Mike Del Grande said.
City council is expected to review and vote on the proposed budget at the end of February.
