After a firestorm of controversy, Toronto Mayor David Miller returns to city council on Wednesday where he will present a motion to reverse the Monday closings of the city's 130 community centres.
Miller announced the move last week following harsh criticism from residents and councillors over the controversial closings.
Earlier this month, the doors at community centres were locked on Mondays as part of cost-cutting measures. Toronto is facing a $575 million budget shortfall next year.
"We have an obligation and the mayor has an obligation, that's why he's making it happen to listen and change, if indeed there is a better way," said Deputy Mayor Joe Pantalone, speaking on behalf of Miller, who is out of the country.
Toronto's fiscal crisis has forced staff to scale back municipal services. Nearly $83 million in service cuts have already been identified this year in various city departments. Other measures include delaying the opening of outdoor ice rinks until January and reducing library services.
Councillor Denzil Minnan-Wong wants Miller to reverse some cutbacks. He will be introducing a motion on Wednesday to scrap the Sunday library closings and have outdoor rinks open on Dec. 1 as normal.
"I wish the mayor would relent and say the libraries have to be open and closing rinks over the holidays is just dumb," Minnan-Wong said.
The cutbacks were announced in July after councillors voted to defer a vote on two controversial taxes until after next month's provincial election.
Miller maintains the proposed land transfer tax and vehicle registration fee are important revenue tools that will help alleviate Toronto's cash crunch.
"If the decision is made on Oct. 22 around the land transfer tax, I'm confident city council will say ice rinks should not be touched as well," Pantalone said.
The taxes could raise $350 million for the cash-strapped city.
If the mayor's motion passes, community centres will reopen on Oct. 15.
With a report from CTV's Desmond Brown
