Budget Subcommittee at Etobicoke Civic Centre - January 21, 2026 - 9:30 AM

City Council Meeting Summary

The meeting focused on the 2026 budget, highlighting concerns around food insecurity, affordable housing, indoor air quality (IAQ), and youth employment, with ongoing budget process discussions and multiple motions pending or deferred. A motion to receive public budget presentations passed unanimously, while several funding requests and policy proposals await further committee review.

Five Most Important Topics Discussed

1) Public Participation in the Budget Process and Public Input Channels - The session emphasized the public’s role in shaping the 2026 budget, noting extensive deputations at other sites and ongoing opportunities to speak. - Key quote: "This is the public's opportunity to speak about the budget. This is also our opportunity to consider your comments and input before we make our recommendations to the mayor." - Public input avenues include in-person and online deputations; input collected via the Budget Committee (buc@toronto.ca).

2) Food Insecurity and Social Program Investments - Neil Heatherington highlighted rising food insecurity and urged addressing root causes such as affordable housing and income supports, not just emergency aid. - Key quotes: - "The statistics of food insecurity in our city are shameful... Tens of thousands of people line up every day to meet their most basic need, food." - "Additional investments in the rent bank and tenant support programs will keep people housed." - Proposed investments include a $6 million Student Nutrition Program and expanded Rent Bank/tenant supports to prevent evictions.

3) Affordable Housing Initiatives and Rent Safeguards - The discussion underscored progress on affordable housing and Rent Safe Toronto, while calling for increased funding to enable larger-scale acquisitions. - Key quotes: - "Rent Safe Toronto is a vital safeguard that will maintain housing stability and livability for all renters." - "The current level of funding averaging about $33 million per year has an adequacy challenge." - Emphasis on housing stability as foundational to daily life and long-term well-being.

4) Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) Policy and Monitoring - Deputants urged citywide IAQ standards aligned with Health Canada guidance, with calls for real-time monitoring and better filtration in schools, transit, and public spaces. - Key quotes: - "Clean air is a human right, and since the pandemic, we've learned a great deal about the importance of proper filtration, ventilation, and monitoring of indoor air quality to reduce the spread of airborne diseases." - "This isn't a cost. It is an investment in healthier residents and a more resilient, more equitable Toronto." - Advocates called for updated standards and policies to improve IAQ citywide.

5) Youth Employment Program Funding and Economic Development - A proposal for a $1 million budget allocation to fund a pilot youth employment program for Summer 2026 was discussed, targeting 182 youth across 44 wards and addressing barriers for Indigenous, Black, newcomer, and 2SLGBTQ+ youth. - Key quotes: - "This initiative will engage the community service sector, public partners, and corporate employers to create meaningful employment experiences." - "Every dollar invested now can help us to reduce social service needs and public system costs." - If approved, the program would be implemented in 2026 and evaluated for impact.

Opportunities for Public Input

• Email the Budget Committee at buc@toronto.ca to provide input throughout the budget process.
• Public deputations are held in person and online, with opportunities to speak directly to the committee and have questions addressed.
• Additional avenues include ward-level consultations and advocacy groups depending on topic.

Motions and Outcomes

• Receive the public presentations on the 2026 capital and operating budgets for information
  • Outcome: Passed unanimously.
  • Next steps: Subcommittee to review materials and reconvene for further budget discussions.
• Proposed $6 Million Investment in the Student Nutrition Program
  • Outcome: Pending further discussion and recommendations to the mayor.
• Additional Funding for Rent Bank and Tenant Support Programs
  • Outcome: Pending further discussion and recommendations to the mayor.
• Continued Support for Rent Safe Toronto Program
  • Outcome: Pending further discussion and recommendations to the mayor.
• Allocation of $1 Million for Youth Employment Program
  • Outcome: Not yet decided (pending budget approval).
• Test LED Bulbs in Existing Fixtures
  • Outcome: Deferred.
• Defer the $35 Million Cycling Infrastructure Capital Plan
  • Outcome: Deferred.
• Defer deputation by Kelly Mintosh
  • Outcome: Deferred.

File Numbers Discussed - File Number: 577 million — budget allocation for street lighting over the next 10 years (referenced in the LED/street lighting section).

Councillors Present - Councillor Moley - Councillor Perks - Councillor Moyes - Councillor Holiday - Deputy Mayor Mley - Mayor Chow (referenced in IAQ discussions)

If you’d like, I can tailor this further to emphasize a specific topic or section, or add any additional file/bylaw references as they appear in the full transcripts.