Toronto launches petition demanding Ford government reverse funding cuts

The City of Toronto has launched a petition demanding that the Doug Ford government reverse its funding cuts.

According to Toronto’s calculations, the funding cuts revealed in Ontario’s spring budget will amount to $177 million in 2019.

The city claims the reduction will jeopardize several core city services, including student vaccinations, school breakfasts and subsidized child care spaces.

“I urge all Toronto residents to sign the petition so we can send a message to the province,” said Mayor John Tory at a news conference on Wednesday morning.

“While I wish we could have avoided this next step, I believe it’s important to engage the people of the city in our efforts to stop these cuts.”

The city and the Progressive Conservative government have sparred over the funding cuts since they were revealed in the province’s first budget this spring.

Toronto officials have warned that, in addition to a loss of services, the cuts may also lead to an increase in taxes to overcome the shortfall.

Premier Doug Ford said Toronto, and other municipalities, can find savings by cutting waste from their books. He suggested municipal governments could aim to reduce spending by four per cent, which is the target Ford has set for provincial budget savings.

While the creation of a petition is unusual, it isn’t the first time Toronto has taken this route.

In 2008, then-Mayor David Miller revealed a city-backed petition calling for a nationwide handgun ban.

However, Miller called on all Canadians, not just Toronto residents, to sign the petition.