The

Vol. 1 No. 1 December 19, 2011

Torontos budget: snip, snip snip

Councillor Doug Ford listens in during hearing about the City of Toronto's 2012 budget Thursday.

Craig Robertson/The Torontonian

FEELING THE CRUNCH

Budget committee gets an earful on proposed cuts
Mary Sue
City Hall Reporter Day two of public deputations on the city budget got off to a raucous start Thursday. Right-wing councillors aggressively questioned some of the speakers begging the budget committee not to make cuts. Left-leaning councillors jumped to the defence of speakers and Councillor Mike Layton even called Councillor Giorgio Mammoliti a goon sent in by the mayor to make fun of deputants. MammoliAsked ti and Counabout Layton If this is the cillor Frances calling him way the public a goon, Nunziata questioned are treated in Mammoseveral liti said the this city we speakers rookie counare in serious cillor should about where trouble. they live in apologize the city and and added whether theyd be willhe may file a complaint ing to voluntarily raise with the integrity comtheir own personal taxes missioner. above what the city is The veteran councilasking residents to pay. lor said hes just doing At one point the his job but acknowlatmosphere in the meet- edged hes frustrated ing was so tense, Budget with the hundreds of Chief Mike Del Grande budget deputations. called a time out and What frustrates me had councillors sit siis that we are hearing lently for a few minutes. from the same people

Budget cut highlights

The City of Toronto released its proposed 2012 operating budget, with a 2.5% tax hike and 2,338 job cuts. Here are some of the highlights: Capital program A $14.8-billion 10-year capital plan has been approved. It will include a $1.5-billion on roads and highways; $87-million for bike paths, and $300-million to buy new subway cars Grants Staff propose cutting $4.6-million from community grants by the same amount A hundred and thirty-eight arts and culture programs and projects along with 83 programs in community services will not get funding, Public transit A 10 TTC fare hike being endorsed, and running fewer, more crowded, buses and streetcars on 62 routes Wheel-Trans recommended to stop providing service to dialysis patients Recreation programs Ten out of 22 arenas during daytime offpeak hours Aquatic programming in seven out of 33 TDSB pools are also being canceled.

over and over again, dont they work? Mammoliti told reporters. Two people were ejected from Thursdays budget meeting due to outbursts. Elizabeth Roley, 62, was removed by security after she suggested the budget committee meet for a third day to hear from everyone signed up to speak. If this is the way the public are treated in this city we are in serious trouble, she said, shaking her head, while others in the audience voiced their agreement.

CANADIAN CITIZENSHIP NOT FOR SALE, KENNEY SAYS

Immigration minister vows crackdown
Kenney speaks in a a Montreal press conference. Sean Killpatrick/The Torontonian

Sarah Taguiam
Diversity Reporter Ottawa says it is investigating 6,500 people from more than 100 countries for fraudulently attempting to gain citizenship or maintain permanent

resident status. Immigration Minister Jason Kenney says Canadian citizenship is not for sale and that Canadians wont tolerate cheats. Mr. Kenney held a news conference in Montreal on Friday to say his department

is looking at revoking the citizenship of more than 2,100 people who obtained it fraudulently. He says there are also 4,400 people with permanent resident status who are known to be implicated in residence fraud. Most of them are outside the country.

Canadian citizenship is not for sale, said Mr. Kenney. Canadians are generous people, but have no tolerance or patience for people who dont play by the rules and who lie or cheat to become a Canadian citizen.

The government will apply the full strength of Canadian law to those who have obtained citizenship fraudulently. Permanent residents must acquire three years of residence out of four years to apply for Canadian citizenship.

To retain their status as permanent residents, they must be physically present in Canada for two years out of five. Mr. Kenney said the investigation shouldnt affect people who apply for citizenship through legitimate means.