More than 100 Toronto residents and business owners voiced their anger Tuesday night at the first public consultation meeting to discuss a number of proposed new taxes.
The group shouted down city officials at who tried to explain that the "revenue tools" are needed to balance its massive budget.
"How can you stand here and tell us you need new taxation powers when you can't get your own fiscal house in order?" one man asked inside The Harbourfront Centre.
"The impact on my family, on my business, is getting horrendous here in Toronto," added one business owner.
Chief financial officer Joe Pennachetti spent nearly two hours on the heat seat defending the controversial proposed taxes. He says new streams of revenue are needed, partly because the province isn't paying its fair share for various social programs.
A recent report suggested a number of potential new income sources, including:
- A five per cent alcohol sales tax;
- A five per cent tobacco tax;
- A $40 tax on vehicle registrations;
- A tax on land transfers; and
- A tax on entertainment (movies, sporting events and live entertainment).
The report also talked about road tolls on the Gardiner Expressway and Don Valley Parkway, but Mayor David Miller, who didn't attend the emotional meeting, has so far rejected the idea.
The city could impose the new taxes as early as this summer.
The Ontario government last year passed The City of Toronto Act, which gives the city new powers to increase taxes to generate revenue.
Some audience members were still upset that city councillors last month refused to give up their special perks, including free golf at city-own courses.
There are three more public consultation meetings scheduled. The next is slated for May 15 at Etobicoke Collegiate Institute from 7 to 9 p.m.
The last two are on May 17 at the Memorial Hall at 5100 Yonge St. and on May 23 at the Scarborough Civic Centre. Both are scheduled to begin at 7 p.m.
With a report from CTV's Carol Charles
