I love this city. They don't call me Toronto Mike for nothing. I was born in the 416, I've lived every second of my life in the 416 and I very well may die in the 416, although I'm hoping not for a very long time.
The City of Toronto has announced a series of cost-cutting measures to save $34 million by the end of the year. City Manager Shirley Hoy outlined the measures today as part of a package she says will save the city $83 million in a full year. Here are some of the low-lights.
- City Community centres close Mondays from mid-September until the end of the year
- Reduced library hours
- Delayed opening of outdoor artificial ice rinks
- Reduced pickup of yard waste and leaves
- Cancellation of door-to-door waste pickup at townhouses
- Less snow removal and litter pickup
- Reduced maintenance of parks and trees
- Less bylaw enforcement and fewer building inspections
- Early closure of municipal golf courses
From a selfish perspective, nothing there will really change my life. Hopefully the reduction in snow removal won't effect my running. Still, they're cutting a bunch of services in this city and that's a slippery slope.
Toronto deserves better.
