Today's city council budget committee meeting didn't reveal too many surprises, but I'm sure more than a few people will do a double take when they look at the city's long term spending plans.
A staggering 28 per cent of Toronto's 10 year capital budget could be taken up by the Scarborough Subway Extension and Mayor John Tory's SmartTrack plan.
Of the $25.7 billion dollars outlined in the 2018-2027 Tax Supported and Capital Budget Plan, a total of $7.4 billion is allocated to these transit infrastructure projects. That's a lot of spending on transit, but the question is whether it's good spending.
SmartTrack and the Scarborough Subway now make up 28% of Toronto’s preliminary ten year capital plan. http://pic.twitter.com/7kzo5VoyUQ
— Matt Elliott (@GraphicMatt) November 30, 2017
The Scarborough Subway Extension has become a contentious issue that has been criticized by transit advocacy groups and has resulted in tensions amongst city council members.
Learn how your tax dollars are working for you. Visit our #TObudget page to learn more about the tax supported budget https://t.co/Cxk0cW9eI5 http://pic.twitter.com/2Gxog14f3Q
— City of Toronto (@TorontoComms) November 30, 2017
The budget also outlines other ways the city's tax dollars are to be spent over the next decade, including $5.1 billion on transportation services like roads maintenance and repairs, and $524 million for various Waterfront Revitalization projects.
But the two projects alone exceed the entirely of the TTC's allocated funds of $6.3 billion.
Many items were absent from the budget proposal today, including the much-anticipated TTC timed transfers supposedly set to be rolled out next year.
Tension now as staff push back about why these things aren’t included in the budget. Mayor has made announcements about Presto two-hour transfer, but it’s not funded? Doucette asks
— Jennifer Pagliaro (@jpags) November 30, 2017
The budget is yet to be finalized and city council will revisit the matter next month.
by Lisa Power via blogTO
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