Toronto councillors defer debating own raises

Toronto councillors have voted to defer debating their own pay raises at city hall.

Mayor Rob Ford and councillors are due for a two-per-cent pay hike this year, part of a cost-of-living increase.

However, budget chief Mike Del Grande backed by Coun. Norm Kelly asked council, which is holding its regular monthly meeting Tuesday, to postpone the debate until the city has successfully settled negotiations with all of its unions and associations. The vote was 35 to three in favour of deferral late Tuesday afternoon.

The pay hike is included in the 2012 operating budget, which has already been approved. The increase is about $2,000 per councillor and is based on Statistics Canada’s consumer price index for Toronto.

The 2012 budget also included a 2.5-per-cent property tax increase and millions of dollars’ worth of service cuts. And the TTC recently implemented a 10-cent fare hike on tokens and passes.

The city recently struck a tentative deal with CUPE Local 416, which represents nearly 6,000 outside workers. The agreement has not yet been ratified and the terms have not been disclosed.

The city is also negotiating with CUPE Local 79, which represents about 23,000 inside workers. Negotiations with CUPE Local 2998, which represents 300 community centre workers, have not yet begun. Their collective agreements expired Dec. 31, 2011.

At Tuesday’s meeting, councillors also approved a motion to increase fines for drivers who illegally park in bike lanes and curb lanes during rush hour.

“Council approves raising fines for curb hogs & delivery trucks blocking rush hour traffic. Thanks to my colleagues again for their support!” tweeted Coun. Josh Matlow, who has been lobbying for the change.

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