By the end of January, the City of Toronto
will finish this year’s budget process. It is one of the most important government
processes, but also one of the least understood. To reflect on the budget
process and how to improve it, I interviewed Alex Mazer, co-founder of Better Budget TO and councillor candidate for Ward 18 (http://www.alexmazer.ca).
RZ: What are the most important issues with
Toronto’s budget process?
AM: Municipal
budgets are very important, given they serve as the basis for allocating
resources and setting the city’s direction. However, many people across the
city feel the budget is confusing and difficult to engage with. The budget
process is subject to narrow debate with an accounting focus instead of one on
our city’s vision. We can look to other cities for inspiration on how to budget
better.
RZ: How has Better Budget helped address these
issues?
AM: The
focus of Better Budget TO is to improve the budget process as a way to increase
civic engagement, understanding, and the quality of decision making. There are
two key actions Better Budget is focused on.
1. We’ve been working to put budget reform on the agenda, especially for
the upcoming city election. This fall, we published
an op-ed in the Toronto Star[1]
discussing our goals. We’ve had some success with councillors, city staff, and
key stakeholder groups recognizing the need for reform. The city took some
steps to improve the budget process (e.g. improved communications materials),
but there remains lots of room for improvement.
2. We’ve been working to develop ideas and an agenda for a better
budget. We’ve consulted with experts, stakeholder
groups, city staff, and elected officials. Together with the Wellesley
Institute, we hosted “Better Budget Day”, which saw 75 people from various
organizations and backgrounds participate. Three main themes emerged: the need
for a budget that is more visionary (focused on long term), participatory (through
better public engagement and participatory budgeting tools), and accessible (through
improved communication, technology, and open data). We’ve also hosted or
participated in public budget forums, including one recently hosted by the
Toronto Youth Cabinet.
RZ: Why is it important to make budgets
visionary?
AM: When
I talk to residents, many feel the city isn’t planning for the long term. Toronto’s
strategic plan has not been updated since 2002. The big challenges our city
faces – congestion, inequality, climate change, sustainable economic growth –
require a long term approach. Right now, the budget does not feel linked to
those problems, but how we allocate public dollars goes to the core of how we plan
for the future. That’s why we need to link budgeting with vision.
RZ: Given your previous experience with
provincial and federal governments, including serving as Director of Policy for
Ontario’s Ministry of Finance, how does Toronto’s process differ from that of
other governments?
AM: While
there is always room for improvement, municipal budgets are quite open and
transparent. Anyone can access data and briefing notes online and the
deputation process is very open. Provincial and federal governments draft their
budgets behind closed doors with limited room for public input.
Conversely, provincial and federal
budgets have clear themes such as job creation, social justice, and
infrastructure; whereas municipal budgets do not. Therefore, I feel municipal
budgets should become more visionary while provincial and federal budgets
should become more transparent.
RZ: How would you apply your experience from
Better Budget, should you become Councillor?
AM: Better
Budget is currently refining ideas it obtained throughout the consultation
process and will prepare an agenda and pledge for mayoral and councillor
candidates to sign on. As a candidate, I plan to champion budget reform. If
elected, I would work with other councillors to implement the kind of agenda Better
Budget TO is putting forward.
RZ: What are some other key issues you are
advocating during your campaign?
AM: Besides
the budget issues we discussed, two other issues I am focused on are improving
the West Toronto Railpath and making Ward 18 a great place for our kids.
The Railpath is a key asset for Ward 18,
but could also become a key asset for overall city building. With plans for
extension under way, the Railpath should not only be a place for recreation and
green transportation, but also for economic development, jobs, public spaces,
and art. However, I’m concerned the way the air-rail link is being implemented (e.g.
noise walls) could threaten this vision.
I think we can do more for our kids to
make Ward 18 a great place to grow, learn, and play. We have a number of
underused or vacant schools in our community. Such underutilized facilities could
be used as community hubs, which could save money and provide space for our
youth and community groups. I’m also interested in working with parents, school
board representatives, and the province to ensure we have good local public
schools where our kids can thrive.
RZ: What message would you give to those
interested in running for office?
AM: The
2014 election is a good opportunity to send new voices to city hall, to turn
the page on a dysfunctional era, and to renew our democratic institutions. I
encourage new candidates interested in running for office (mayor, councillor,
trustee) to do so.
By making the budgetary process more
participatory and visionary, Toronto can boost civic engagement and enable council
to make better decisions. For provincial and federal budgets, I encourage you
to contact your elected representatives and attend budget consultations. To
learn more about Alex Mazer’s campaign, which will launch on January 21, you
may visit his website mentioned earlier.
Happy budgeting!
Rob Z (e-mail)Follow @RZaichkowski
[1] Alex Mazer & David Sandomierski. Toronto Star. “How to build a
better budget for Toronto.” http://www.thestar.com/opinion/commentary/2013/11/25/how_to_build_a_better_budget_for_toronto.html
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