YWCA Toronto's Statement In Response to the City of Toronto Budget for 2021 

February 22, 2021 

On the evening of February 18th, the Toronto City Council passed Budget 2021 – its first since COVID-19 devastated the health and wellbeing of Torontonians first and foremost, but also the state of the City’s finances. While we are pleased to see a significant reduction in the budget shortfall and $8 million in new funding for programs and services from a special Toronto Parking Authority dividend, this budget is nearly identical to what staff tabled at budget launch more than a month ago. The final budget does not include an increase in property taxes or municipal land transfer tax as recommended, and leaves the police budget untouched. As a strong partner of the City, YWCA Toronto will continue to work closely on the issues impacting women, girls and gender-diverse people at a time of great need. We support the City’s efforts to secure additional funding from the federal government and the province to tackle our housing crisis and to ensure the stability of the City’s infrastructure, including much-needed child care. We look forward to continued partnership with the City in recovering from this pandemic and building Toronto back better.

 
--
MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS

Jasmine Ramze Rezaee, Director of Advocacy & Communications, YWCA Toronto, jrezaee@ywcatoronto.org, 416.797.9648