Gord Steeves would freeze city hiring, cap spending, to fund infrastructure

A hiring freeze on all city services save police and fire and paramedics, and a 2 per cent cap on spending for goods and services.

That's what Gord Steevespledges if he is elected mayor Oct. 22.

Steeves said Monday those measures would add up to $40 million a year that could be pumped into infrastructure.

"Everything's on the table," said Steeves, when asked about which city departments, outside police and fire paramedics, would be in for ahiring freeze.

Steeves said he would also cap spending on goods and services at a two per cent increase a year.

He admitted there might be a shortfall when it comes to goods like gasoline.

"We don't have a lot of control over those prices," he said. "Gasoline prices over time do go up. Yes, you may not get all the way there. But I'm not saying we are cutting goods and services purchases. What I'm saying is we're limited to a two per cent cap."

Steeves said it won't be easy.

"It is brutal hard work. I understand that. The will just has to exist. And yes, there are going to be some hard choices. There are going to be some people who are going to be angry, but that's the nature of the business," he said.
Steeves said city spending has been outstripping the city's rate of growth.

He said in the last five years, city salaries and benefits have risen about $32 million a year, while population grew by 5.3 per cent, about 36,000 people

And of 580 new positions in the last five years, Steeves said 70 were non-essential, with an average salary of $80,000 a year.

He said the savings can be achieved without any job losses or layoffs.

Steeves acknowledged savings of$40 million a year might be optimistic.

"This is going to be found money. We're looking to achieve the equivalent of $40 million. This will be hard to do. But you know what? If something happens and we don't get all the way to the $40 million, what if we wind up at $30 million or only $20 million of savings? We get what we get. The goal is going to be 40 million dollars."