Toronto Council meets today!

Pasternak thanks the police for their "great work" then asks about protests in the city, which have cost the cops $44 million in recent years. "This doesn't sound like peaceful assembly," says Pasternak. "Can we keep hiding behind the charter while this is going on on our streets?"

"I would hardly characterize us as 'hiding behind the charter'," says police rep in response to Pasternak. "But rather protecting the charter. And respecting the charter."

Councillor Saxe asks if there's a hidden "gravy train" at city hall — waste that could be cut without cutting service.

"There are not hundreds of millions of dollars of 'waste'," says City Manager. But he notes city is always looking for ways to be efficient. $135 million in savings this year.

Councillor Shelley Carroll asks the police about their budget increase. The cops say the entire 7% increase is going to their multi-year hiring plan and paying for costs related to their collective bargaining agreement. "90% of the police budget is labour."

Councillor Saxe asks if there's a hidden "gravy train" at city hall — waste that could be cut without cutting service.

"There are not hundreds of millions of dollars of 'waste'," says City Manager. But he notes city is always looking for ways to be efficient. $135 million in savings this year.

Noting the cops have been hiring a lot, Carroll asks, "What's new about this year? Do we now move into being able to add supervision that is badly needed?"

"Yes," says the chief. "This budget, as part of the multi-year hiring plan, is going to focus on supervision where we need it the most."

Myers asks the TTC about their "fare evasion target." TTC rep Josh Colle says the TTC "recaptured" about $14 million in revenue via their fare enforcement strategy last year, total annual estimated "lost revenue" down to $121 million, from $141 million at time of last audit a few years ago.

Councillor Burnside asks how much it would cost the city to have a city-wide snow removal service. Staff say a complete snow removal contract was estimated at $130 million a year, but that estimate was based on ~55 cm of snow per season and we've had 90 cm so far this winter.

Noting there's been "impressive numbers in terms of reduction of crime" recently, Councillor Michael Thompson asks the police chief what his "crystal ball" tells him about crime rates in 2026.

Demkiw says it's "very hard to speculate," but he's committed to driving the numbers down.

Councillor Colle asks about the city's development charge reserves, noting that some developers have been "crying the blues" and saying the city is "sitting" on big reserves. CFO says, indeed, there's $2.5 billion in the reserve, but $6.5 billion in projects that need to be funded with DCs.

"So for every dollar in taxes a Toronto resident pays, nine cents goes to the city, 91 cents goes to the big fat feds and the big fat provincial guys?" asks Councillor Mike Colle.

The CFO confirms that the majority of tax revenue goes to other levels of gov.

"I can speak specifically to Taylor Swift," says CFO Stephen Conforti. He means in terms of her economic impact. He's not calling her up. Conforti notes the Eras tour concerts in T.O. brought in $40 million in tax revenue, but Toronto only got ~$500K.

Colle: Do we ever tell Toronto residents that most of their money goes to the big fat feds and the big fat Queen's Park?

Nunziata: Can you ask a question on the budget? We're not talking about the big fat feds.

Colle: Well they ARE the big fat feds.

Conforti offers an example: over the last 9 years, the average Toronto household's income tax payments increased by about $ 9,000. Their property tax payments grew by $914.

Mayor Chow is up to speak on her budget. She recounts a tale of going grocery shopping with a resident named Natasha, and seeing her struggle with the prices. "We were told the number one priority from the residents that we represent is that they need this budget to make their life affordable."

After Chow makes her pitch, Councillor Holyday asks Chow about the use of reserve funds in the budget.

Chow says this budget is the result of "prudent fiscal management" where the city saved money over the last few years for things like FIFA, collective bargaining agreements, and shelters.

"How do we face the public knowing that our expenses will continue to go up, and we won't have reserve funds to offset those costs?" asks Holyday.

Chow says reserve funds will continue to grow. She's hopeful the federal gas tax contribution to municipalities will increase, which will help even more

"Will you commit that if you are re-elected, you will deliver next year's budget also at the rate of inflation?" Councillor Brad Bradford asks Chow.

Chow runs out the clock talking about reserve funds and affordability. She notes Bradford advocated for using reserve funds in recent years.

"You are effectively trying to buy Torontonian's votes with this budget," says Bradford. "Do you know how much you'll have to raise taxes to replace the $550 million draw you're raiding from the reserves this year?"

Chow rejects the premise. Again points out Bradford tried to use reserves last year

Moving on, Chow notes that she recently gave PM Carney a card for the Chinese New Year with a house on it. Inside, she wrote a message about building fast. (It's the year of the horse, and horses are fast, she explains.)