Municipal Performance – Making municipal government work for business

The Board is an active and respected advocate for effective governance at the municipal level.  The Board is developing policies that will make municipal government work in the best interest of the economy, leading to job and wealth creation. Current focuses include sustainable municipal finances, municipal tax policy, the 2010 municipal election, responsible waste management, city and regional governance, and alternative service delivery, such as Public-Private Partnerships (P3s).

Recent Success Stories

The Board advocated for the creation of the Mayor’s Independent Fiscal Review Panel in 2007. In our 2009 budget submission and deputation to the City, the Board once again highlighted the importance of this panel and called on the City to fully implement its recommendations. Toronto Board of Trade Chair Paul Massara served on this five-member blue-ribbon Fiscal Review panel.

For years, the Board advocated for the Province to take back responsibility for social program costs downloaded onto municipalities, resulting in an additional $500 million a year for the City of Toronto budget within 10 years.

Lobbied for the municipal government to hold increases in new development charges, resulting in a one-year freeze on charges that has been extended for another year.

The passage of the City of Toronto Act was a triumph of the Toronto Board of Trade’s longstanding efforts to empower Toronto with the tools needed to be competitive with urban economies around the world. Coupled with other reforms, including permanent federal transfer payments such as the 5-cent-per-litre gas tax, the City has powerful new revenue tools and fiscal flexibility. It now has the strength to shape its future through the development of economic strategies, economic growth incentives and sustainable fiscal finances.

The Board has a legacy of holding the municipal government accountable for its spending. We continue to work with the City as it finds the balance between social and business agendas. In 2008, we encouraged an independent, third-party review of Toronto’s finances. The report agreed that City Hall must do more to reduce costs, leverage assets, and make both infrastructure investments and the creation of a competitive business environment its top priorities. In 2007, the Board’s advice contributed to the City’s first balanced budget since 1998.