March 27, 2017

Public invited to debate, collaborate and create as consultation on City of Toronto’s Long-Term Financial Plan continues

The City of Toronto is launching Phase 2 of its public consultation on the renewal of its Long-Term Financial Plan. Information about the consultation, including background reports and engagement opportunities, a public workshop and an upcoming online survey, is available at http://www.investinginTO.ca/. The public is also invited to participate in the conversation on social media, using the hashtag #InvestinginTO.

For the second phase of consultation, the City is inviting members of the public to City Hall for a conversation about how it makes decisions and balances priorities that have a long-term financial impact.

An interactive afternoon of workshops and discussions will be held at Toronto City Hall, 100 Queen St. W., on Saturday, April 22 from 1 to 5 p.m. The open house will begin at 12:30 p.m.

This is an opportunity for the public to:
• debate how City Hall can balance both its books and its long-term priorities
• collaborate with community organizations, other members of the public and the City, and
• create a financial path that brings us closer to the city we want.

More information about the workshops and discussions is available at http://www.investinginTO.ca/. The workshops will be available via webcast for those who wish to participate online. An online survey will also be open from April 22 to May 14.

The first consultation, which took place last fall, focused on how the City manages expenses, raises revenue and could maximize its assets. The City heard about the need to balance the priorities and budgets while also supporting the most vulnerable Torontonians. The public was also clear about keeping the City’s commitments to innovation, economic health, infrastructure investments and the environment while finding ways to pay for them. The City also heard about the need for information that helps the public understand and contribute to the City’s budgets, plans and decision making.

The findings from the consultation process will provide advice for Council and the City Manager as the City sets out to develop its Long-Term Financial Plan. The plan will guide financial decision-making over the long term and put Toronto on a path to financial sustainability. It will also help address structural financial issues as expenditures continue to rise faster than revenues, and help ensure that the City continues to run well, spends public money wisely and delivers the programs and services residents need and want over the long term.