Toronto will try to freeze its budget in 2018

Councillors voted Thursday to freeze city spending in 2018 at least as a starting point.

A debate over the budget direction took most of day, with councillors arguing forcefully both in favour of and against the plan recommended by top city staff.

• Toronto's plan to freeze budget blasted by community groups

Starting with the goal of holding spending at this year's level is a "sensible" and "appropriate" approach, city manager Peter Wallacesaid.

But he told councillors it's up to them to decide if the target should be altered.

By just saying 'everybody make cuts,'we're not actually governing.- Coun. Gord Perks

Several councillors said freezing spendingwhile inflation rises will automatically forcecity departments and agencies to cut back, warning thatservice levels could be affected by the decision.

"By just saying 'everybody make cuts,'we're not actually governing," Coun. Gord Perks told CBC Toronto. "We're not actually saying what's important for Torontonians."

Coun. Janet Davis confirmed with city staff that to hold the line on spending, the Parks, Forestry and Recreation department would have to find some $12 million in savings, while Shelter, Support and Housing Administration would have to find $18 million.

And Coun. Mike Layton said that asking shelters to study spending cutswhen the demand for services is growingis simply a "waste of time."

He put forward a motion asking that some arms of the city, including shelters,be exempt from the budget target. That motion failed, however,in a vote of 17-27.

Coun. Justin Di Ciano, meanwhile, said that it's "ludicrous" to suggest that taking a close look at costs will result in cuts by the time the budget is finalized next year.

"It's just prudent fiscal spending. That's what this is. And I believe Torontonians want that from us."

Mayor defends freeze as a starting point

And Coun. Stephen Holyday suggested the city should go further. He put forward a motion calling for a twoper cent reduction, but that failed 9-35.

Mayor John Tory, meanwhile, said the city will likely end up investing in the areas that it's marked as priorities, as it did in 2017 when the budget process started out with a recommended 2.6 per cent cut.

"This is the beginning of the process, not the end," he said.

He told council that he feels like he's struck the right balance, consideringsome councillors accused him of "reckless" spending while others saidhe's running an "austerity" plan.

Toronto's 2018 budget is expected to be finalized early in the new year.