November 9, 2016

 

The City of Toronto is launching its public consultation on the development of its Long-Term Financial Plan. Information about the consultation, including background reports and engagement opportunities, a series of online surveys and two rounds of community meetings, is available at http://www.investinginto.ca/. The public is also invited to participate in the conversation on social media, using the hashtag #InvestinginTO.

 

The City is asking for the public's input on some challenging questions about how the City can manage expenses, raise revenue and optimize its assets. People can share input, ideas and solutions at a series of public meetings or by participating online. 

 

The consultation process is being conducted in two phases:

 

Phase 1 – fall

• November: The first of three online surveys is open from November 9 to 20 for the public to provide input on what the City should consider as it makes decisions about long-term financial sustainability. 

• December: A second online survey – open from December 5 to 23 will gather input on long-term financial options and strategies related to expenditures, revenue and assets. 

• A series of in-person community meetings will be held (schedule and details below). For all meetings, the open house will begin at 6 p.m., followed by a presentation at 7 p.m. Visit http://www.investinginto.ca/ to register to attend, request accommodations or attend via webcast. 

 

o Monday, December 5

Etobicoke Olympium, 590 Rathburn Rd.

o Tuesday, December 6

Chinese Cultural Centre of Greater Toronto, 5183 Sheppard Ave. E.

o Wednesday, December 7

Mitchell Field Community Centre, 89 Church Ave.

o Thursday, December 8

Toronto Reference Library, Epic Hall, 789 Yonge St.

 

Consultation toolkits will be available online in early December for groups and organizations who wish to conduct their own meetings.

 

Phase 2 – winter/spring

• A final online survey and a second series of in-person community meetings is planned to gather input on the governance and financial management required for long-term financial sustainability.

 

The findings from the consultation will provide advice for Council and the City Manager as the City sets out to develop its Long-Term Financial Plan. The Plan will guide financial decision-making over the long term, and put Toronto on a path to financial sustainability. 

It will also help address structural financial issues, as expenditures continue to rise faster than revenues, and ensure the City of Toronto continues to run well, spends public money wisely and delivers the programs and services residents need and want over the long term. 

 

This news release is also available on the City of Toronto website at http://ow.ly/7cpW3061cTF.

 

Toronto is Canada's largest city, the fourth largest in North America, and home to a diverse population of about 2.8 million people. It is a global centre for business, finance, arts and culture and is consistently ranked one of the world's most livable cities. For information on non-emergency City services and programs, Toronto residents, businesses and visitors can visit http://www.toronto.ca, call 311, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, or follow us @TorontoComms.

 

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Media contact: Wynna Brown, Strategic Communications, 416-392-8937, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.