Debate on 2012 budget begins
Posted December 2, 2011 6:11 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
The budget committee began the more than month-long process of debating the controversial 2012 operating budget on Friday.
The public has now learned which wading and outdoor pools may be closed, which Toronto District School Board programs could be cut at other pools and which arenas could face reduced operating hours if the financial plan is approved by council next month.
Toronto Police Chief Bill Blair appeared before the committee Friday to discuss the increased financial demands on the force amid Mayor Rob Ford’s request that all city departments slash spending by 10 per cent—police have been given a two-year time frame to meet that request.
Blair said demands for policing services continue to increase, and not all of it related to crime.
He gave an example of officers being called out to find a missing elderly person.
“There are many demands for policing services not directly related to crime,” he said. “We resolve disputes within neighbourhoods; we provide other emergency services with people that are on 24-hour call, 365 days a year.”
Blair said the service has seen about a two per cent increase for these types of services.
When it comes to suggested service cuts, some families could have a harder time finding a place to cool off next summer if the closures of five wading pools and two outdoor pools suggested in budget are approved.
The locations were reportedly revealed in a letter to the union representing city outside workers, CUPE 416.
The five wading pools reportedly slated to remain drained are:
- MacGregor (Lansdowne & College)
- Fred Hamilton (College & Ossington)
- Alexandra Park (Dundas & Bathurst)
- Wellesley Park (Wellesley & Bayview)
- Kempton Howard Park (Danforth & Jones)
The outdoor pools slated to close are Fairhaven, near Islington and Dixon Road, and Stanley Park, near King and Strachan.
Mayor Rob Ford said these spots are underutilized and the city could save money by closing them.
The mayor also wants to end city programming at seven schools, which include:
- Bedford Park
- Frankland
- Gordon A.Brown
- Hillcrest Community Centre
- Runnymede Collegiate
- Duke of Connaught
- Sir Wilfrid Laurier Collegiate.
The Toronto District School Board is reportedly asking the city to reconsider the move, as is former Toronto mayor David Crombie, according to a Toronto Star report.
The Star reported the city is also considering eliminating programming at 12 community centres including Bloordale, Brown and Earl Beatty.
The city is also considering shutting down the zoo in High Park and the one on Centre Island.
Ten rinks will also have their operating times reduced if the budget is approved—they’d be forced to close between 7 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday to Friday. The locations were also reportedly revealed in that letter to CUPE 416 and published by the CBC. Those locations are:
- Long Branch, 75 Acadian Circle
- Chris Tonks, 2801 Eglinton Avenue West
- Bayview, 3230 Bayview Avenue
- Lambton, 4100 Dundas Street West
- Habitant, 3383 Weston Road
- Commander Park, 140 Commander Boulevard.
- Phil White, 443 Arlington Avenue
- Pine Point, 15 Grierson Road
- John Booth, 230 Gosford Boulevard
- Baycrest, 160 Neptune Drive
The draft operating budget also includes a 10-cent TTC fare hike and a 2.5-per-cent property tax increase.
The public is invited to make presentations to the budget committee on Dec. 7. Click here for more information.
