Item - 2019.EX6.10

The Executive Committee recommends that:  

1.  City Council direct City Agencies to participate in the Value Based Outcome Review to be led by the City Manager and Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer in preparation for the 2020 Budget process.

2.  City Council receive the report (May 29, 2019) from the City Solicitor [EX6.10a] for information.

This report provides City Council with an update on the impact of the Province of Ontario's May 27, 2019 announcement to reverse the April 1, 2019 retroactivity of the provincial program and funding changes for child care, public health and land ambulance on the City's 2019 Budget and 2020 Budget process.

The City's 2019 Operating Budget reflects the 2019 provincial funding being maintained on the basis of existing cost-sharing formulas, current services and service levels, as approved by City Council on March 7, 2019. Accordingly, 2019 tax bill mailings will be processed by the tax due dates established by By-law 392-2019.

Work is underway to replace the $24 million in 2019 and the $585 million incorporated in the 10-year Capital Plan of the planned increase in provincial gas tax as there is no change to the Provincial Gas Tax increment cancellation.

With fiscal sustainability as a key priority, and in preparation for the 2020 Budget process, the City will be undertaking two major streams of activity:

Participate in provincial/municipal program specific tables

 
Undertake a value based outcome review for all City Operations in the upcoming months. This report recommends to City Council that this review be extended to City agencies. The City will be applying to the provincial Audit and Accountability Fund, established for large municipalities find efficiencies, to assist in funding the City's review.

This report responds to a request from City Council at its meeting of May 14, 2019, for a report from the City Solicitor on whether the Province of Ontario's proposed cuts to funding to Toronto Public Health would violate the Canada Health Act.