By Fred Alvarado
Fred is a community journalist with FOCUS MEDIA ARTS CENTRE

Toronto City Council has officially approved the 2025 budget in a 19-5 vote, passing an $18.8 billion operating plan that includes a 6.9% property tax increase. The budget expands investments in transit, housing, and emergency services, but a significant funding boost to Toronto Police has sparked considerable debate among councillors and residents.

Mayor Olivia Chow and Budget Chief Shelley Carroll defended the budget, calling it a “responsible and forward-looking plan” that prioritizes key community needs. “We are investing in what matters most: building homes faster, feeding more kids, and keeping Toronto moving,” Chow stated. Carroll echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the city’s efforts to ensure financial stability while addressing urgent social concerns.

For Regent Park and the downtown East, the budget carries major implications. It freezes TTC fares while adding 500,000 new service hours, expands school food programs, and waives development fees to accelerate affordable housing projects. However, the decision to allocate more resources to Toronto Police instead of increasing funding for social services drew sharp criticism. Protesters interrupted the council meeting, voicing concerns that prioritizing policing over community support programs would not effectively address the root causes of social issues like homelessness and food insecurity.

Councillor Chris Moise emphasized the urgent need for greater investment in social services, stating, “Our communities need more support beyond law enforcement.” He argued that while public safety is important, addressing systemic poverty and housing instability should be at the forefront of city spending.

The budget also includes a long-term vision for the city, with $59.6 billion in capital investments over the next decade. These funds will go toward transit expansion, climate initiatives, and critical infrastructure maintenance. The mayor ultimately chose not to exercise her veto power, solidifying the budget’s adoption and setting the stage for its implementation.

While city officials insist the budget strikes a necessary balance between financial responsibility and community investment, the debate over funding priorities is far from over. As Toronto moves forward, questions remain about whether the budget will effectively meet the needs of the city’s most vulnerable residents. The months ahead will determine how these funding decisions impact communities, and whether calls for increased social spending will gain further traction in future budget cycles.