No money in federal budget to help fill Toronto's COVID-19 shortfall
There was no money set aside in the federal budget to help Toronto cover a nearly $1 billion COVID-19-related shortfall in its own spending plan.
The city had been hoping that Ottawa would come forward with $235 million in funding to offset 2022 COVID-19 shortfalls, as well as a commitment for hundreds of million more to help it tackle a $933 million shortfall in its 2023 budget due to ongoing COVID-19 costs.
But the budget tabled by Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland on Tuesday afternoon made no such promises.
The provincial budget released last week also failed to include any significant funding for Toronto, other than $48 million to help cover supportive housing costs.
"The 2023 federal budget fails to address the City of Toronto's request for operating budget support,” Deputy Mayor Jennifer McKelvie said in a statement released on Tuesday afternoon. “While I am thankful for past support during the COVID-19 pandemic from the Government of Canada, I'm disappointed the Deputy Prime Minister – a Toronto MP - would ignore a direct commitment the federal Liberals made during the last election to former Mayor John Tory and the City of Toronto.”
The federal government did come forward with funding to help municipalities offset their COVID-19 shortfalls in 2020 and 2021.
McKelvie, however, said that when she spoke with Freeland on Monday she was “very clear” that her government would not be committing to funding ongoing COVID-19 shortfalls.
The deputy mayor did say that Toronto “continues to offer to find an alternative capital ask for housing, transit and climate action equivalent to our 2022 shortfall” but has not yet received any commitments.
“We have been very clear to the Government of Canada what the city's needs are and about the importance of supporting Toronto – the country's economic engine,” McKelvie wrote. “My job right now is to stand up for Toronto and I won't hesitate to fight to make sure our city receives its fair share from the other governments. Our advocacy will continue in the weeks and months ahead.”
Today’s federal budget comes one week after a report from Ernst & Young was released, showing that the city could be facing $46.5 billion in fiscal pressures over the next decade.
That report warned that the city’s financial situation is so dire that its very “fiscal stability and the sustainability of its service levels” will be threatened without action.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
4th Indian national arrested, charged with murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar
Homicide investigators in B.C. say murder charges have been laid against a fourth Indian national in connection to the killing of Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar outside a Surrey gurdwara last year.
Man ticketed after allegedly trespassing again at Drake's Bridle Path mansion to get his bike
A man who tried to access Drake’s Bridle Path mansion earlier this week returned to the property Saturday and was apprehended again for allegedly trespassing, Toronto police say.
Switzerland's Nemo wins 68th Eurovision Song Contest
Swiss singer Nemo won the 68th Eurovision Song Contest on Saturday night with 'The Code,' an operatic ode to the singer’s journey toward embracing their nongender identity.
Wildfire that forced evacuation of Fort Nelson, B.C., caused by tree falling on wires, mayor says
The wildfire that prompted the evacuation of more than 3,000 people near Fort Nelson, B.C., was caused by a tree falling on wires, according to the municipality's mayor.
Couple randomly attacked, 1 stabbed, by group of teens in Toronto, police say
A man has been transported to hospital after police say he was stabbed in a random attack carried out by a group of teens in Toronto on Friday night.
'I am angry': Alberta farmers will continue fight over world class motorsport resort
The rolling hills leading to the hamlet of Rosebud are dotted with sprawling farms and cattle pastures -- and a sign sporting a simple message: No Race Track.
IN PICTURES Northern lights dance across the night sky in southern Ont.
From London, to Grand Bend, Collingwood and Guelph, here are some highlights of Friday night and Saturday morning's northern lights display.
Ron Ellis, who played over 1,000 games with Maple Leafs, dead at 79
Ron Ellis, who played over 1,000 games with the Toronto Maple Leafs and was a member of Canada's team at the 1972 Summit Series, has died at age 79.
opinion How to use your credit card as a powerful wealth-building tool
Irresponsibly using a credit card can land you in financial trouble, but personal finance columnist Christopher Liew says when used properly, it can be a powerful wealth-building tool that can help grow your credit profile and create new opportunities.