Community Newsletter: Happy New Year & Budget 2023

Neighbour --

Happy New Year! I hope you had time to rest and recharge over the holidays with your loved ones. 

Next week, the 2023 City Budget process kicks off at City Hall! The City Budget sets the service levels and priorities for City services, programs and infrastructure. Your feedback is a crucial part of the budget, whether that's by making a written submission, completing our Davenport Budget Survey, or appearing in front of the Budget Committee to make a presentation. 

A few announcements have been made about proposed budgets for specific city agencies, services, and programs. This includes details about the proposed budget for Toronto Fire and Toronto Paramedics Services, Housing, TTC, Toronto Police, and “nuts-and-bolts” City services. 

I’ve already heard from many of you about two particular announcements: a proposed $48M increase to the Toronto Police budget and a proposed 10 cent increase to TTC fares. 

On the police budget: There is no evidence that increasing the police budget will make our communities safer. We need to invest in what’s proven to keep people safe, like affordable housing, mental health care, community services, and good jobs. We also need to make community-based crisis response and intervention, which is better equipped to respond to mental health crisis calls, available in every corner of the City. You can read more of my thoughts here. 

On the 10 cent fare increase: at a time when so many people are struggling with affordability and already unacceptable service levels from the TTC, I don’t believe it is responsible to raise fares. We need to find alternative sources of revenue to make investments in good service levels that will help rebuild ridership and meet Toronto’s climate goals. 

On these issues and many others which will arise throughout the budget process, I am consulting with sector experts, those with lived experience, and our community to work towards my goal of a City we can all be proud of. 

If you’re interested in learning more about the City budget, I’ve created a webpage which brings together helpful information on how you can organize and make your voice heard. Visit alejandrabravo.ca/budget to learn more. 

Sincerely,

Alejandra Bravo
City Councillor, Ward 9
Davenport

Davenport Budget Survey

I’d like to hear from you! Complete my survey to share your thoughts and ideas for a budget that will build the City we want.

Complete the survey

Alejandra Bravo, City Councillor
Ward 9 • Davenport

Toronto City Hall
100 Queen Street West, Suite C42
Toronto, ON M5H 2N2

Telephone: 416-392-7012
Email: [email protected]