Re: Budget Chaos

I have read the Policy Options paper that forms the basis for the article. Prof. Schwatrz, makes little mention of the following reality...

In 2008 Toronto residents paid;

$204 less than Mississauga

$886 less than Vaughan

$968 less than Oakville

$755 less than Markham

$917 less than Richmond Hill

$1,101 less than Pickering

$814 less than Oshawa

Difference: $806 per year, per household.

All while Toronto spends considerably more per household and per person.

http://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2009/cc/bgrd/backgroundfile-20057.pdf

Take the average difference and multiply it the number of households and that would increase the city's revenues by ~800 million.

Toronto has a political crisis. It can spend, it just does not have the political balls to have residents pay for the spending.

iSkyscraper,

Right on! All this navel gazing has left us with a perception that Toronto is doing much better than it is (by most metrics). For example, much has been made about the the success of the TTC ridership growth strategy. If one takes a look at N.A ridership, they would see that despite the RGS, the growth Toronto's ridership has been below average. Same for employment, assessment base growth, tourism, poverty, etc.

I also will have to take issue with the Condos for cash deal. It is not the issue of supporting the arts that I have a problem with. It is the question of is this the best use? IMO, no. As the Windy City article shows, and similar in the way shopping malls and public attractions work, the city needs anchors. Small spaces like these will spur nothing, as the same impediments remain. Forgoing $6,100 in yearly tax revenue, on top of the $75,000 capital outlays, give far to little in return.

Perhaps use the funds to provide some seasonal art shows for local artist only.

Fair enough Darwin, I will see if I can compare just larger PT transit markets. Stay tuned.