Latest from Sarah MacMillan
Toronto AG report finds 'deficiencies' in tracking, completing city park repairs
The report, which went to the city's audit committee this week, is part two on an extensive audit of the municipal park's branch. Part one, released in the fall, looked at the efficiency of daily park maintenance and found significant issues, including GPS data showing workers spending less time actually working than they said they were.
Toronto city council finalizes new budget, with 6.9% property tax hike
Toronto council finalized the city's budget for this year at a special meeting on Tuesday. In a 19 to 5 vote, council approved the property tax rates for 2025, which includes a 6.9 per cent residential property tax hike, after debating Mayor Olivia Chow's proposed budget all day.
Toronto's Kensington Market gets heritage status to protect its 'sense of anarchy, inclusivity'
Toronto's Kensington Market is getting some protection: A decade after the city first started looking into it, Toronto city council has now officially designated the neighbourhood a heritage conservation district.
Toronto city staff recommend deferring commercial parking levy
Two potential revenue tools that were being considered by the City of Toronto won’t be going ahead, at least for now. Reports from city staff recommend deferring consideration on a commercial parking levy, and that the city “indefinitely suspend” consideration of a storm water charge.
The left has Progress Toronto. A new advocacy group hopes to fill gap on centre-right
A new political advocacy group in Toronto is hoping to make a mark on municipal politics — and could be a sign of an evolving role and influence of third party groups in Toronto elections.
Toronto capital budget aims to flatten curve of growing infrastructure repair backlog
From community centres to parks to the TTC, Torontonians may start to notice improvements to city maintenance, as Toronto pushes to invest majorly in addressing aging and crumbling infrastructure.
New union agreements could cost Toronto up to $300M in 2025
New labour contracts across Toronto city divisions and agencies could cost taxpayers almost as much as the city will be taking in through a proposed 6.9 per cent property tax hike. Toronto’s 2025 budget includes a provision of $300 million to address increased costs from potential union agreements and contracts.
Police, TTC and housing to be top priorities in Chow's 2025 Toronto budget
Torontonians will soon get an idea of how much property taxes may be going up, as city staff are set to unveil a proposed budget on Monday. We already know Toronto police and the TTC will be getting funding boosts, and Mayor Olivia Chow has signalled housing as one of her other key priorities.
What Trudeau's resignation could mean for Toronto
Justin Trudeau's resignation as Liberal Leader, the leadership race it is triggering, and a subsequent federal election mean not only upheaval and uncertainty in Ottawa, but also for municipalities that rely on federal money to fund major priorities.
Toronto council chooses not to act on ombudsman report calling refugee shelter response 'anti-Black racism'
Toronto city council quietly received a scathing report on Wednesday from the city's ombusdman, without discussion and without directing staff to implement any of the 14 recommendations.