Toronto council votes to restore full police increase, save windrow clearing as part of budget which will see 9.5 per cent tax increase

Mayor Olivia Chow's first budget was left largely intact when it went to council Wednesday, barring several key amendments, including a restoration of the police budget approved by the Toronto Police Services Board and money to save a windrow-clearing program.

Mayor Olivia Chow's first budget was left largely intact when it went to council Wednesday, barring several key amendments, including a restoration of the police budget approved by the Toronto Police Services Board and money to save a windrow-clearing program.

The budget builds on social programs and housing while trying to simultaneously plug a $1.8 billion budget deficit, in part through a 9.5 per cent tax bump for homeowners – the highest property tax increase since amalgamation.

"It feels great and it's also historic in a way that we are finally having Toronto back on track even though we inherited a huge $1.8 billion financial mess," Chow said after the budget was finalized.

"When the residents, businesses, all the councillors work together, we have a budget that really helps build a city that's more caring, more affordable and safer where everyone belongs."

The mayor described the budget as a good step towards her promise to bring the city on the right track.

“Can we do it in one year? No. It is a journey, but at least we are starting. We are halting the decline of services. We’re changing direction.”