PLANNING NEWS

CIP Submission to the Prime Minister's Caucus Task Force on Urban Issues

On March 11, 2002, the Canadian Institute of Planners made a presentation to the Prime Minister's Caucus Task Force on Urban Issues.

CIP President Dave Palubeski, Past President Mark Seasons, and Executive Director Steven Brasier met with Task Force Chair, Judy Sgro (MP York-West), and Task Force members Reg Alcock (MP Winnipeg South), Alan Tonks (MP York South - Weston), and Geoff Regan (Halifax West).

The basis for CIP's presentation was a research paper entitled: Towards a Canadian Urban Strategy-Framework for Government of Canada Involvement in Urban Affairs.

The paper was prepared by CIP Past President and Policy Chair, Mark Seasons, based on the results of a survey sent to 200 CIP members (of whom more than 60 took an active role in providing input and later providing feedback on the draft paper).

CIP's presentation was well received and, following a discussion with the Task Force members, the Task Force Chair asked that we prepare and submit within 24 hours an additional paper outlining CIP's perspectives on how a national urban vision and strategy should look.

A follow-up paper, entitled Framework for an Urban Strategy for Canada was quickly prepared by the CIP President, Past President and Executive Director and submitted to Ms. Sgro's office on March 12, 2002.

Release: February 25, 2002

PROVINCIAL HELP FOR CITY OF TORONTO (FACTS AND FIGURES UPDATE)

In recognition of the fact that the city has had to deal with up-front amalgamation costs, the province has given money to the city to help in the transition:

$50 million grant in 1998 for transportation and communication projects
$100 million interest free loan in 1998
$100 million interest free loan in 1999

Other benefits for Toronto:

• The Ontario Transit Renewal Program launched on February 20, 2002, will provide Toronto with $62.3 million for transit improvements in the program's first year alone.

• In the fall of 2001, the Premier announced that the province would take over responsibility for 100 per cent of GO Transit's operating and base capital funding. For the City of Toronto, this change represents a $50.8 million benefit.

• The Province made a lump sum payment of $829 million to Toronto and the TTC in 1998, discharging all responsibilities flowing from cancellation of the five year capital subsidy agreement. The Province's five-year (1996-2000) subsidy commitment for the Sheppard Subway is included in this agreement.

• In 2001, the Province provided a $50 million grant as a final contribution of funding to reimburse the city for additional costs they identified for Toronto's public transportation system.

• Municipal social assistance and social housing costs are shared across the GTA as part of Local Services Realignment (LSR). As a result, Toronto's costs are reduced by approximately $200 million.

• Toronto has benefitted from a $76 million reduction in its public health and ambulance costs as a result of the Province cost sharing 50% of these program costs, as approved by the Ministry of Health, effective January 1, 1999.

• Toronto receives more than $110 million a year in support for homelessness programs from the province. This includes more than $50 million for emergency shelters.

• Municipal Capital and Operating Restructuring fund (MCORF) provided $183 million, province-wide, in one-time assistance for transportation projects. Toronto's MCORF funding share for GO Transit purposes was $53 million.

• In June 1998, the Province announced that it would retain its funding responsibility for supportive housing and domiciliary hostels. This reduced Toronto's LSR costs by about $12 million.

• Highway 401 through Toronto - $250 million, 1998-2006 - largest rehabilitation program in provincial history.

• Toronto's Waterfront Projects will receive up to $500 million in support from the Province, and with the recent establishment of the Toronto Waterfront Revitalization Corporation these initiatives will be able to proceed quickly.

• Social Housing Devolution transition assistance provided to the city by the Province was over $35.3 million.

• With the September 29, 2001 transit announcements by the Premier, Toronto will benefit both from new funds to assist with transit operations and capital expansion, as well as with reduced costs realized by the Province taking back control of the GO Transit.

• Affordable Housing Assistance - The province has provided support in the order of $2 million by way of PST grants and is negotiating the transfer of 4 sites worth $6 million dollars for a nominal charge.

• As a result of the Energy Competition Act, 1998, the City of Toronto obtained outright ownership of Toronto Hydro, whose assets at the time were valued at more than $1.9 billion. This restructuring gave Toronto the right, for the first time, to make a profit from its utility. The latest figures available from Toronto Hydro show that, in the third quarter of 2001, the utility paid $31.4 million to its shareholder, the City of Toronto. This is equivalent to annual payments in excess of $120 million.

• While details of the Federal-Provincial Housing program are yet to be finalized and announced Toronto will likely receive a sizable allocation of these funds. Toronto will receive a share of the additional $20 million of PST grants for the creation of affordable housing.