Update on the Budget Process
With the initial release of the proposed capital and operating budgets, I will share all city documents available to me pertaining to the 2011 budget with Ward 22 residents. For your information, please click here to review budget presentation and materials prepared by City staff.
At the Mayor's direction, this year's budget process is starting a little earlier and will be more condensed than Toronto residents are accustomed to. Council plans to vote on its budget on February 28th. To ensure that you are well informed and able to provide feedback about your priorities for Toronto, I will regularly update this website.
You can also express your thoughts on this year's budget at a special session of the Toronto/East York Community council.
This public meeting being held for the Toronto and East York residents will be:
Date: January 19, 2011
Time: 6 p.m.
Location: East York Civic Centre Council Chamber
850 Coxwell Ave.
(North-west corner of Coxwell Ave. and Mortimer Ave. Public transit: subway to Coxwell, then O’Connor bus #70 north on Coxwell)
Moreover, I am organizing a town hall meeting specifically for Ward 22 residents. I'll provide you with details as soon as the date and location are confirmed.
I hope that you take the opportunity to become involved in the budget process so we can work together to ensure that the priorities of Wardd 22 residents are heard at City Hall.
Personal Vehicle Tax Elimination and Refund
As many of you are aware, City Council voted to eliminate the Personal Vehicle Tax (PVT) at it's December 16th meeting. Please click here to read the PDF memo I received from Cam Weldon, the City's Chief Financial Officer that outlined the implementation of this repeal:
Those whose renewals were due on or after January 1, 2011 are not required to pay the tax. If the tax has been paid in advance (such as for those who renewed their vehicle plates in December 2010) it will be refunded by the City
Those whose renewals were due on or before December 31, 2010 are required to pay the tax. If a two-year renewal is purchased, the collection system will apply the tax for both years and the City will automatically issue a PVT tax refund for the second year (the year starting on or after January 1, 2011)
There is no need to apply for refunds related to overpayment of the PVT due to the termination of the tax. The City will send all refunds by April, 2011 to the eligible PVT taxpayers at their home addresses
Insufficient Heat in Apartments
As the temperature has dropped over the past couple of weeks, my office has received several calls from tenants in St. Paul's who are suffering in apartments with substandard heating. Many of these residents are elderly or have small children especially vulnerable to the cold. Landlords are required to keep every apartment unit at, or above 20 degrees celsius during the winter months.
I have already taken action for several Ward 22 residents with the help of City inspectors. If you, or someone you know is living in a rental unity with inadequate heat, please do not hesitate to contact my office.
Green Toronto Awards
The City of Toronto's environmental awards of excellence honour and celebrate the individuals, organizations and companies that are helping lead the way to a cleaner, greener and more liveable Toronto.
2011 Awards open for nominations!
Learn how to apply
Apply now!
Nominations close Feb. 7, 2011 at midnight.
Let's stay in touch!
To contact my office, please call 416-392-7906 or email [email protected]
You can also easily find me on twitter and facebook.
Happy Diwali!
Thank you to the Gerrard India Bazaar BIA for a very fun and successful Diwali Mela! Diwali celebrates the triumph of good over evil, light over darkness and knowledge over ignorance. Happy Diwali Toronto!
Happy Thanksgiving!
I wish you and those you love a very happy Thanksgiving. I have so much gratitude for our incredible and vibrant community, and am honoured to represent you at City Hall. May your thanksgiving weekend be filled with warmth, joy and family.
Best regards,
Josh
Improving our School Play Spaces for Students and Community
Fairbank
At July’s City Council meeting, I was thrilled to move a motion to contribute $300,000 to assist the Fairbank Public School with the construction of a new playground and schoolyard.
