CouncilWatch - Toronto's budget, TTC service cuts, and taking action
January 13, 2011
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It has been a busy week for us at TEA. On Monday, the Toronto 2011 budget was released and with it came a few surprises.
Speak out against the TTC service cuts and the attack on transit expansion On Monday, Mayor Ford's budget proposed a TTC fare increase and cuts to service along 48 bus routes. TEA and others acted fast (view Monday's press release). Within a day, Mayor Ford and TTC Chair Karen Stintz cancelled the fare increase, but they still want to cut bus service. You can help save Transit City and stop the cuts to TTC bus service, and clean air, today:
We need fast, reliable transit across the city now Toronto needs more transit, not cuts to bus service. Cuts to late night service hurts late shift workers, students, late night businesses, and the ability of all Torontonians to choose public transit over cars. Transit was being built. But Mayor Ford ordered the TTC to stop the work underway to bring Light Rail Transit to Sheppard, Eglinton and Finch. Tell the Mayor and Councillors that you support the Transit City light rail network and that you don't support cuts to service. Click here to send an email now. Our take on the 2011 Budget Contrary to the Mayor's promise of no service cuts, the proposed budget includes cuts or delays for key environmental initiatives. Here's our take: TRANSIT As mentioned above, the 2011 Budget is not kind to the TTC with a proposed cut of evening, late night, weekend, and seasonal service on 48 bus routes. Also troubling are the delay of important customer service initiatives including the role out of subway Station Managers and the delay in the Capital budget of the Transit City Bus Plan. WASTE Wins
WASTE Losses
WATER
Read about Toronto's 2011 Budget on the City's website here. Stay tuned for more information on proposed budgets and attend the public consultations next week! Thank you! |
Victory on TTC!
After Monday's budget proposed a TTC fare increase and cuts to service along 48 different bus routes, TEA mobilized our members, and we were successful! TEA and others, including TTCriders, acted fast (view our press release here). Within a day, Ford and TTC Chair Karen Stintz stopped the fare increase. We also called our members and ally organizations to get people to speak out against the cuts at Wednesday's TTC meeting. The TTC wanted to decide on bus service cuts at yesterday's meeting, but because of the groundswell of public outcry they delayed their decision to the TTC meeting on February 2nd. Speak out against cuts - Send an email! Volunteer to help save Toronto Transit We're busy fighting cuts to transit service and we need help! If you can volunteer and help with phoning our members, flyering, knocking on doors, and speaking at public meetings, please email tsering@ torontoenvironment.org or fill in ourvolunteer sign up form. Attend a Public Budget Consultation It's important that TEA and our members attend public consultations on the budget to ensure that the 2011 budget is good for the environment. This is a short budget process, and we need our voices heard! To speak, sign up by 12pm Tuesday January 18th. Call the City Clerk at 416-392-1032 or e-mail [email protected]. Be sure to let them know at which consultation you'd like to speak. North York Scarborough Toronto & East York Etobicoke-York *see the City website for directions 20th Ecobunk Awards
Amidst all the stress of budgets and the new council, take some time to relax and have fun -- Join us for the 20th Annual Ecobunk Awards!
It'll be a night of eco-comedy and celebration of the best green-washing of 2010. Donate now! Your donation of $15, $25, $50, or more will help TEA with our campaign work, including printing flyers, TTC fare and refreshments for our hardworking volunteers. Get Involved! Join TEA! Membership is free! Volunteer with TEA Follow us on Twitter Join us on Facebook |
