'Join us in this fight': Toronto encourages residents and businesses to ask Trudeau for money
In the wake of a budget shortfall totalling nearly one billion dollars, the City of Toronto is calling on its residents and businesses to urge the Canadian government to honour previous funding commitments to the city.
In a press release, representatives for the City of Toronto said Prime Minister Justin Trudeau “personally committed” to help Toronto through the pandemic.The city said that the federal government should, therefore, commit to coming to the table with $235 million in funding to offset Toronto’s 2022 COVID-19 losses.
The federal government, however, has given no indication that the money is forthcoming.
A new page on the City of Toronto website offers Toronto residents an automated email for Toronto residents to contact their MP, information about Toronto property tax bills and statistics about Toronto’s budget and the services it covers.
“We are standing up for Toronto – Canada’s economic engine – and asking residents to join us in this fight,” said Deputy Mayor Jennifer McKelvie in a press release. “The City of Toronto does not have the resources or revenue tools to address the unprecedented financial pressures of the COVID-19 pandemic. We need the Government of Canada to keep Prime Minister Trudeau’s election campaign promise.”
The advocacy campaign was approved by city council on Dec. 14. If the 2022 budget shortfall is not addressed, major construction projects, along with other vital city services, will need to be scaled back. The city is also facing a $933 million shortfall in its 2023 budget due to ongoing COVID-19 costs.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Ottawa pizzeria places among top 20 deep-dish pizzas in the world at international competition
An Ottawa pizzeria is being recognized as one of the top 20 deep-dish pizzas in the world.
'My family doctor just fired me': Ontario patients frustrated with de-rostering
Dozens of Ontarians are expressing frustration in the province’s health-care system after their family doctors either dropped them as patients or threatened to after they sought urgent care elsewhere.
'He's in our hearts': Family and friends still seek answers one year after Nathan Wise’s disappearance
It’s been a year since Nathan Wise went missing and his family is no closer to finding out what happened to him.
Canada Post cracks down on Nunavut loophole to get free Amazon Prime shipping
Amazon's paid subscription service provides free delivery for online shopping across Canada except for remote locations, the company said in an email. While customers in Iqaluit qualify for the offer, all other communities in Nunavut are excluded.
Mother's Day movies that pull at ALL the heartstrings
This Mother's Day Weekend, take a look at some of the most emotional movies inspired by moms.
Suspect sought after fatal slashing in downtown Toronto
Police are searching for a suspect in a homicide investigation after a man was slashed in downtown Toronto on Sunday.
Edibles, armchairs and adapters: Here are the recalls for this week
Health Canada announced various product recalls this week, including electric adapters, armchairs, cannabis edibles and vehicle components.
Putin replaces Russian defence minister in rare cabinet shakeup
Russia’s President Vladimir Putin began a Cabinet shakeup on Sunday, proposing the replacement of Sergei Shoigu as defence minister as he begins his fifth term in office.
WATCH Dashcam video shows terrifying near-miss on two-lane northern Ontario highway
There were some scary moments for several people on a northern Ontario highway caught on video Thursday after a chain reaction following a truck fire.