News

More than a third of Toronto residents who took part in a prebudget online survey want to boost funding for affordable housing and shelters and cut funding for police, according to a partial copy of the survey obtained by the Star. 

The survey was part of a new prebudget consultation process introduced by Mayor Olivia Chow and led by budget chief Shelley Carroll. According to the city, a total of 16 in-person and virtual public meetings were held and an online survey conducted during November 2023.

Toronto staff are recommending a nine per cent hike to the city’s residential property tax — the largest single-year increase since amalgamation in 1998 — as they look to fill a nearly $1.8 billion budget shortfall in 2024 and a grim long-term fiscal outlook.

With the recommendation of an additional 1.5 per cent increase to the city building tax, property owners could see their tax bill jump 10.5 per cent this year if the figures go unchanged during five weeks of scheduled budget debates and consultations. The city building tax is a special levy introduced in 2016 that goes toward major transit and housing projects.

The sales rep on the phone is reassuring. He works for a property management company that specializes in short-term rentals, and he says Toronto’s bylaw is easy enough to get around.

Yes, you need to register if you want to list your place on Airbnb now, and you need to say that you live in the condo, he says.

But if you don’t, all you have to do is change the address on your driver’s licence.

Welcome to ABCRA’s Winter 2023 newsletter. In this edition, we want to share updates and news from the neighbourhood, upcoming events and opportunities to get involved in your City.

What have we been up to? Lots! First off – there’s our new website (you’re looking at it) and and we hope you’ll take it out for a thorough test drive and let us know what you think.