Toronto mayor Rob Ford is vowing to clean up the city's financial "mess" in less than a year despite a burgeoning budget shortfall.
The promise from the cost-conscious mayor was made Friday in a wide-ranging interview on radio station AM640. His comments come at the end of a week that saw reports of possible cuts to police, fire services, daycare spaces and park maintenance.
Toronto is facing a projected budget shortfall of $774 million. The mayor ran on a platform of eliminating the so-called "gravy" from city hall in last fall's election.
"We're not going to have this mess to deal with next year, I guarantee it," Ford said during Friday's interview.
However, he acknowledged that the process would not be pleasant for Torontonians in the short-term as no stone will be left unturned in his effort to find savings.
"It's going to be short-term pain for long-term gain," said Ford. "It's going to cost us a little bit now, but it will save us millions and millions of dollars in the long run," he said. "We inherited this mess …. We're trying to clean up a mess that was left behind."
Earlier this week, Ford's administration said it planned to offer about 17,000 city workers a buyout package.
Union, non-union and management employees are all being offered buyouts of up to six months salary. Police, transit and library workers are not included.
Ford said the cuts were regrettable but nonetheless needed.
Full Article
Source: CBC news
The promise from the cost-conscious mayor was made Friday in a wide-ranging interview on radio station AM640. His comments come at the end of a week that saw reports of possible cuts to police, fire services, daycare spaces and park maintenance.
Toronto is facing a projected budget shortfall of $774 million. The mayor ran on a platform of eliminating the so-called "gravy" from city hall in last fall's election.
"We're not going to have this mess to deal with next year, I guarantee it," Ford said during Friday's interview.
However, he acknowledged that the process would not be pleasant for Torontonians in the short-term as no stone will be left unturned in his effort to find savings.
"It's going to be short-term pain for long-term gain," said Ford. "It's going to cost us a little bit now, but it will save us millions and millions of dollars in the long run," he said. "We inherited this mess …. We're trying to clean up a mess that was left behind."
Earlier this week, Ford's administration said it planned to offer about 17,000 city workers a buyout package.
Union, non-union and management employees are all being offered buyouts of up to six months salary. Police, transit and library workers are not included.
Ford said the cuts were regrettable but nonetheless needed.
Full Article
Source: CBC news
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