Let’s Talk Budget: Engaging Wards 10 and 13 at Toronto’s 2025 Budget Town Hall

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.