On January 16th, 2025, Councillor Chris Moise of Ward 13 and Deputy Mayor Councillor Ausma Malik of Ward 10 co-hosted the annual Budget Town Hall Meeting at Toronto City Hall. The event featured key speakers, including Mayor Olivia Chow and Budget Chief Councillor Shelley Carroll, providing residents with a comprehensive overview of the city’s 2025 budget.
Fred Alvarado – Local Journalism Initiative
Anthony Ng, Director of Financial Planning and Management, and Mervyn Mendoza, Manager of Financial Planning, led the staff presentation, detailing the fiscal strategies behind the $18.8 billion operating plan and the record-setting $59.6 billion capital investment. This ambitious budget includes a proposed 6.9% tax increase aimed at enhancing transit, housing, and critical infrastructure projects.
Throughout the two-hour session, residents from Wards 10 and 13 engaged in a lively Q&A session, voicing their concerns about how the budget's focus on affordability, public safety, and climate action will affect their neighbourhoods. This interaction provided a vital opportunity for community members, particularly from the Regent Park area, to understand and influence how these investments will shape their community’s growth and well-being.
The Town Hall underscored the importance of transparency and public engagement in city governance, offering a platform for residents to gain insights and participate in shaping Toronto’s future.