Chow to back council motion to approve police's requested budget hike after rejecting it
CBC
Mayor Olivia Chow will back a council motion approving the full budget increase requested by Toronto police after rejecting it earlier.
Tuesday's about-face came after the mayor's $17 billion draft budget for 2024 was released earlier this month, which initially maintained city staff's recommendation of a $7.4 million increase. It did not include a $20 million boost that the Toronto Police Service requested to its nearly $1.2 billion budget.
Chow's move to back a council motion approving the full police budget increase will mean an additional $12.6 million on top of the initial recommendation.
In a news release Tuesday, Chow said she has been part of "promising conversations" with the federal and provincial governments about the unique costs of policing in Toronto. She said Toronto has secured hundreds of millions from federal and provincial governments but did not say how much of that will go toward the police top-up.
"Our city is at the centre of an increase in auto thefts; we host large local, national and international events every year, and we have nearly 100 consulates," Chow said.
"This has allowed me to support a motion to provide an additional allocation to the Toronto Police Services Budget that will match the request of the Toronto Police Services Board."
Chief Myron Demkiw previously said he's "disappointed" with the smaller increase, saying the force won't be able to hire four classes of 90 officers and "essential civilian professionals" this year.
"In speaking with Chief Demkiw, we have mutually recognized the need to reduce response times, develop a plan for staffing, and we will both actively seek further support from other orders of government," Chow said.
CBC Newfoundland and Labrador is kicking off its annual holiday campaign, helping to raise money to support local food banks.
If all goes according to plan, at 6 a.m. AT on Saturday people working at the IWK Health Centre will become the test case for a generational change to Nova Scotia’s health-care system.
One month after Prime Minister Mark Carney announced what he called "generational" military spending, New Brunswick’s defence ecosystem is on high alert.
Miranda Mirlycourtois, 34, looks directly at the camera and makes a confession.
Saskatoon city hall says police spending is projected to be $2.6 million over budget this year. That pushes the city into a $1.2-million deficit position, according to a report that will be considered by city council next week.
Students at the University of Regina are days away from deciding whether a newly formed student association should become their official representative body.
All public schools on P.E.I. are closed Friday and thousands of Maritime Electric customers are without power as strong winds create hazardous travel conditions across the province.
Prince Rupert, B.C., residents are celebrating the holidays this year with coastal flair.
In the four years Chelsey Simmonds has worked at the Eva Rothwell Centre, she has seen the need increase every year at the centre’s community food pantry.
CBC is once again looking to make the holiday season kind in Windsor-Essex.
Acute Care Alberta has extended its contract for another year with a private surgical facility at the centre of probes into health procurement and contracting.
As food bank use continues to climb across the province, front-line workers in Thunder Bay, Ont., are working to improve both food security and education.
More ads could soon be coming to Toronto’s subway system.