In the past few weeks turning on the radio heading to work there have been a constant reminder of Greece's financial dire predicament.   We cannot live in today's global economy without being somehow affected by changes that are surrounding us every day.   Changes sometimes are necessaries, but often the fine line between what is required and what are necessaries is very narrow.  Greece had been living far beyond its means since it joined the Eurozone in 1981; it spent more than its income.  When the global economy hit a snag in 2008, Greece's financial crisis just got deeper.   In order to get more help from the International Monetary Fund, and European Central Bank, Greece had to agree to further cuts in government spending and that means a  lot of jobs cut and a lot of public program will be closed.

Similar to Greece, Toronto is currently facing $774 million dollar budget deficit, and there is a big cut on the way.    There will be a 2.5% property tax hike, and 2300 city jobs cut.  In order to curve Toronto's budget shortfall measures such as closing public pools, changes to snow clearing and street cleaning standard, shutdown Wheel Trans for dialysis patients, defer hiring police officers, firefighters, paramedics, and close three homeless shelters must be implemented.  Is Toronto starting to sound like Greece?  I hope not.

As a Torontonian, I love this city.  I love and use the many services that the city provides.  Comparing Toronto to Greece, I may sound like a pessimist, but my intention is pure, in way that despite of our budget shortfall we will find a way to keep the many services that many Torontonians thoroughly enjoy while keeping our budget in the black.  Do I like the many services cut that Mayor Ford is planning to undertake? No, I don’t, but do I like to pay more on my property tax? No, I don’t.  There is a very thin line between a balanced budget and keeping quality services.  That line starts by listening to the residents: the taxpayers.  

I like the fact that Mayor Ford has spent his time listening to the many opinions that have come to City Hall, but I wish many city councillors could do more than that.   For one, I wish that city councillors would start listening to more people than fight amongst themselves.  Second, they could hold public debates in their ward soliciting opinions on how we can run this city together.   Third, city councillors should put quality services ahead of budget; they should put a great deal of effort into making the existing services better.  

At the end of the day, the city of Toronto will be defined by those who take active roles into shaping it.  I have written to my city councillor and voiced my opinions, have you?