The City of Toronto is inviting residents to provide input to help guide the development of a Long-Term Financial Plan. Community members will be able to offer their thoughts on spending priorities, potential revenue tools, and the optimization of City assets. How should the City's revenue be used? Which services should be expanded, and how should new revenue be generated to pay for them? 

Information provided will help the Council and City Manager develop an efficient Long-Term Financial Plan to address structural financial issues, while guiding future investment in programs and services. The City also encourages discussion on social media through #InvestinginTO. Along with information about meetings, and background reports, an online survey can be found at investinginto.ca.

A crowded Toronto subway, image by UT Flickr contributor Jamaalism

Running now, the survey is open until November 20th. While the survey will help set out general guidelines for spending and financial planning, a more focused second survey—set to be announced soon—will ask Torontontians to share which services—such as the cash-strapped TTC—should be prioritized and which operations can be made more efficient. 

Alongside the online surveys, two series of public meetings will take place:

Phase 1 – Fall 

• November: The first of three online surveys is open from November 9 to 20 for the public to provide input on what the City should consider as it makes decisions about long-term financial sustainability.  
• December: A second online survey—open from December 5 to 23 will gather input on long-term financial options and strategies related to expenditures, revenue and assets.  
• A series of in-person community meetings will be held (schedule and details below).

For all meetings, the open house will begin at 6 PM, followed by a presentation at 7 PM.

• Monday, December 5: Etobicoke Olympium, 590 Rathburn Rd. 
• Tuesday, December 6: Chinese Cultural Centre of Greater Toronto, 5183 Sheppard Ave. E. 
• Wednesday, December 7: Mitchell Field Community Centre, 89 Church Ave. 
• Thursday, December 8: Toronto Reference Library, Epic Hall, 789 Yonge St. 

Consultation toolkits will be available online in early December for groups and organizations who wish to conduct their own meetings. 

Phase 2 – Winter/Spring 

• A final online survey and a second series of in-person community meetings is planned to gather input on the governance and financial management required for long-term financial sustainability. The dates for Phase 2 meetings will be announced in the coming months. 

Additional Information is available via the City of Toronto's website.