John Tory's New Year's resolutions: keep taxes low, build transit
'Families in Toronto are watching every penny,' mayor tweeted. 'The city needs to do the same'
Toronto Mayor John Tory used Twitter to voice his New Year's resolutions this morning, vowing to keep taxes low in 2016, build transit and "unlock Toronto's potential."
The mayor conveyed his hopes for 2016 in five tweets sent just after 10 a.m.
My New Year’s Resolutions: Keep taxes low, build transit & affordable housing, make sure we’re putting the people of Toronto first.
—@JohnToryFamilies in Toronto are watching every penny. The City needs to do the same & freeze spending that doesn’t benefit the public. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TOBudget2016?src=hash">#TOBudget2016</a>
—@JohnToryThis year, let’s unlock Toronto’s potential. We are on verge of great things.
—@JohnToryTory also looks ahead to the New Year, saying Toronto can show itself to the world at the NBA All-Star Game in February and the World Cup of Hockey in September and October.
2016 promises to be a great year for Toronto with <a href="https://twitter.com/NBA">@NBA</a> All-Star Game & return of Grey Cup & World Cup of Hockey. <a href="https://t.co/YldtonMQo9">pic.twitter.com/YldtonMQo9</a>
—@JohnToryTory is facing a number of challenges in 2016. The conservative mayor will try to bring in an operating budget that preserves city services while keeping property tax increases to a minimum.
Preliminary budget discussions revealed the city will need a residential property tax increase of 2.17 per cent to cover a shortfall of about $58 million. That's more than the 1.3 per cent increase Tory was pushing for.
The mayor will also be pressed to bring calm to the taxi industry. New bylaws are expected this year that will cover the increasingly popular ride-hailing app Uber. Traditional cabbies say Uber is ruining their livelihood while operating illegally.