Public services in Toronto
Encyclopedia
Public services in Toronto are funded by municipal property taxes, financial transfers from the Government of Ontario
and Government of Canada
, or are operated and financed by the higher-level governments. Funding for services provided by the municipal government is determined by a vote of the Toronto City Council
in favour of the year's proposed operating budget
; Toronto's
operating budget in 2007 was $7.8 billion, and its capital budget was 1.43 billion.
1.944 B), user fees ($1.205 B) and withdrawals from the reserve fund ($0.5 B). Property taxes represent 42% of the budget ($3.221 B), which is referred to as the Net Operating Budget. All other sources total approximnately $1.0 B.
The most significant expenditures are:
All other services individually represent less than 2% of expenditures.
Although private school
s are plentiful in Toronto, most students receive their education via the public school system, operated by school boards funded by the province via provincial income tax and federal financial transfers to the provincial government. The Toronto District School Board
(TDSB) operates 451 public schools and 102 secondary or high schools, the Toronto Catholic District School Board
manages the city's publicly-funded Roman Catholic schools, while the Conseil scolaire de district du Centre-Sud-Ouest
and the Conseil scolaire de district catholique Centre-Sud
manages public and Roman Catholic French-language schools.
The University of Toronto
, established in 1827, is a leading public research institution and a worldwide leader in biomedical research. York University
, another institution located in Toronto, houses the largest law library in the Commonwealth of Nations. The city is also home to Ryerson University
, Ontario College of Art & Design
, and the University of Guelph-Humber
.
There are five diploma-granting community colleges in Toronto: Seneca College
, Humber College
, Centennial College, Sheridan College
and George Brown College
. The Royal Conservatory of Music
, which includes The Glenn Gould School
, is a major music school located in downtown. The Canadian Film Centre
is a film, television and new media training institute founded by filmmaker Norman Jewison
.
The city operates an extensive library network. The Toronto Public Library
is the largest public library system in Canada
and the second busiest (by number of visits) in the world after the Hong Kong Public Library
.
s, bicycle and jogging trails, and parks. It also operates the Toronto Zoo
and other public spaces, such as Nathan Phillips Square
and Downsview Park
.
Health services in Toronto
are quite extensive, and benefit from the intensive and broad medical research conducted in the city. Hospital
s are publicly-financed, primarily by the provincial government, but also via federal government transfers to the province, some private sources (eg - lotteries) and through charitable and philanthropic donations.
Family doctors have private practices funded by the provincial government. Paramedic
and ambulatory services are funded by the city. Also, non-profit palliative care services exist.
Various modes of transportation are available in the city. Operation of the Toronto Transit Commission
is funded by the municipal government and user receipts, but infrastructure projects may receive funding from provincial and federal sources.
Roads within the city are a municipal responsibility, but major highways, such as the 400-series highways
, are provincially funded and operated. In the winter, the city provides snow removal
services on its roads and on property it owns, such as parking lots at libraries and swimming pools.
is also handled separately. The city's green bin program for compostable material was first tested in parts of Etobicoke, a suburb in the northwest.
is one of the oldest English-language modern municipal police departments in the world. Its operational is funded via the municipal government, and represents the single-greatest yearly expenditure in the city's operating budget.
Government of Ontario
The Government of Ontario refers to the provincial government of the province of Ontario, Canada. Its powers and structure are set out in the Constitution Act, 1867....
and Government of Canada
Government of Canada
The Government of Canada, formally Her Majesty's Government, is the system whereby the federation of Canada is administered by a common authority; in Canadian English, the term can mean either the collective set of institutions or specifically the Queen-in-Council...
, or are operated and financed by the higher-level governments. Funding for services provided by the municipal government is determined by a vote of the Toronto City Council
Toronto City Council
The Toronto City Council is the governing body of the city of Toronto, Ontario, Canada.Members represent wards throughout the city, and are known as councillors....
in favour of the year's proposed operating budget
Budget
A budget is a financial plan and a list of all planned expenses and revenues. It is a plan for saving, borrowing and spending. A budget is an important concept in microeconomics, which uses a budget line to illustrate the trade-offs between two or more goods...
; Toronto's
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
operating budget in 2007 was $7.8 billion, and its capital budget was 1.43 billion.
Operational finances
Revenue sources for the city's operational budget consist of transfers and subsidies from the provincial and federal governments ($Canadian dollar
The Canadian dollar is the currency of Canada. As of 2007, the Canadian dollar is the 7th most traded currency in the world. It is abbreviated with the dollar sign $, or C$ to distinguish it from other dollar-denominated currencies...
1.944 B), user fees ($1.205 B) and withdrawals from the reserve fund ($0.5 B). Property taxes represent 42% of the budget ($3.221 B), which is referred to as the Net Operating Budget. All other sources total approximnately $1.0 B.
The most significant expenditures are:
- Police Services Board (24.4% of expenditures)
- Debt financing (12.2%)
- Fire services (10.4%)
- Social services (8.4%)
- Shelter, Support and Housing Administration (8.0%)
- Toronto Transit CommissionToronto Transit Commission-Island Ferry:The ferry service to the Toronto Islands was operated by the TTC from 1927 until 1962, when it was transferred to the Metro Parks and Culture department. Since 1998, the ferry service is run by Toronto Parks and Recreation.-Gray Coach:...
(includes WheelTrans service) (7.4%) - Parks, Forestry and Recreation (7.0%)
- Transportation services (5.7%)
- Solid Waste Management servicesToronto Solid Waste ManagementToronto Solid Waste Management is the municipal service that handles the transfer and disposal of garbage as well as the processing and sale of recyclable materials collected through the blue box program in Toronto, Ontario, Canada...
(5.7%) - Toronto Public LibraryToronto Public LibraryToronto Public Library is a public library system based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It is the largest public library system in Canada and in 2008, had averaged a higher...
(4.6%)
All other services individually represent less than 2% of expenditures.
Education
Private school
Private schools, also known as independent schools or nonstate schools, are not administered by local, state or national governments; thus, they retain the right to select their students and are funded in whole or in part by charging their students' tuition, rather than relying on mandatory...
s are plentiful in Toronto, most students receive their education via the public school system, operated by school boards funded by the province via provincial income tax and federal financial transfers to the provincial government. The Toronto District School Board
Toronto District School Board
Toronto District School Board, also known by the acronym TDSB, is the English-language public school board for Toronto, Ontario, Canada...
(TDSB) operates 451 public schools and 102 secondary or high schools, the Toronto Catholic District School Board
Toronto Catholic District School Board
The Toronto Catholic District School Board is the publicly-funded Catholic school board for Toronto, Ontario, Canada, headquartered in North York. It is one of the two English boards of education in the City of Toronto, serving the former municipalities of Scarborough, North York, York, East York,...
manages the city's publicly-funded Roman Catholic schools, while the Conseil scolaire de district du Centre-Sud-Ouest
Conseil scolaire de district du Centre-Sud-Ouest
The Conseil scolaire Viamonde manages the French-language Public Schools in the central south-western region of Ontario. The area in which this school board operates covers 68,180 km2 of Ontario...
and the Conseil scolaire de district catholique Centre-Sud
Conseil scolaire de district catholique Centre-Sud
Conseil scolaire de district catholique Centre-Sud is the Roman Catholic separate, French language school board for the South-Central region of Ontario. It is headquartered in North York, Toronto, Ontario, Canada...
manages public and Roman Catholic French-language schools.
The University of Toronto
University of Toronto
The University of Toronto is a public research university in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, situated on the grounds that surround Queen's Park. It was founded by royal charter in 1827 as King's College, the first institution of higher learning in Upper Canada...
, established in 1827, is a leading public research institution and a worldwide leader in biomedical research. York University
York University
York University is a public research university in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It is Canada's third-largest university, Ontario's second-largest graduate school, and Canada's leading interdisciplinary university....
, another institution located in Toronto, houses the largest law library in the Commonwealth of Nations. The city is also home to Ryerson University
Ryerson University
Ryerson University is a public research university located in downtown Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Its urban campus is adjacent to Yonge-Dundas Square located at the busiest intersection in Downtown Toronto. The majority of its buildings are in the blocks northeast of the square in Toronto's Garden...
, Ontario College of Art & Design
Ontario College of Art & Design
OCAD University is Canada's largest and oldest educational institution for art and design. It is located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada on McCaul Street beside the Art Gallery of Ontario...
, and the University of Guelph-Humber
University of Guelph-Humber
The University of Guelph-Humber is a university-college partnership between the University of Guelph and Humber College. It was established in 2002. It is located on Humber's North Campus in Toronto, Ontario, Canada...
.
There are five diploma-granting community colleges in Toronto: Seneca College
Seneca College
Seneca College of Applied Arts and Technology is a Canadian public college in the greater Toronto area. Seneca College is currently Canada's largest college with approximately 108,000 students.-History:...
, Humber College
Humber College
Humber College Institute of Technology & Advanced Learning is a polytechnic college in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Humber offers more than 150 programs including: bachelor’s degree, diploma, certificate, post-graduate certificate and apprenticeship programs, across 40 fields of study. Humber serves...
, Centennial College, Sheridan College
Sheridan College
Sheridan College Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning is a diploma and degree granting Canadian polytechnic institute with approximately 15,000 full time students and 35,000 continuing education students...
and George Brown College
George Brown College
George Brown College is a public, fully accredited college of applied arts and technology with three full campuses in downtown Toronto, Ontario...
. The Royal Conservatory of Music
Royal Conservatory of Music
The Royal Conservatory of Music is a music school and performance venue in Toronto, Canada. Other uses of the term include:*The Madrid Royal Conservatory, Spain*The Royal Academy of Music, London, United Kingdom...
, which includes The Glenn Gould School
The Glenn Gould School
The Glenn Gould School is a centre for the training of professional musicians in performance at post-secondary and post-bachelor levels. It was named for the celebrated pianist, who was born in Toronto and lived most of his life in the city....
, is a major music school located in downtown. The Canadian Film Centre
Canadian Film Centre
The Canadian Film Centre is an advanced training institution for film, television and new media. Based in Toronto, Canada, CFC offers residents education, industry partnerships and production experience...
is a film, television and new media training institute founded by filmmaker Norman Jewison
Norman Jewison
Norman Frederick Jewison, CC, O.Ont is a Canadian film director, producer, actor and founder of the Canadian Film Centre. Highlights of his directing career include In the Heat of the Night , The Thomas Crown Affair , Fiddler on the Roof , Jesus Christ Superstar , Moonstruck , The Hurricane and The...
.
The city operates an extensive library network. The Toronto Public Library
Toronto Public Library
Toronto Public Library is a public library system based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It is the largest public library system in Canada and in 2008, had averaged a higher...
is the largest public library system in Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
and the second busiest (by number of visits) in the world after the Hong Kong Public Library
Hong Kong Public Library
The Hong Kong Public Library system in Hong Kong consists of 66 static and 10 mobile libraries offering a total collection of 12.5 million items...
.
Recreation
There are numerous recreation areas owned and operated by the city, including swimming poolSwimming pool
A swimming pool, swimming bath, wading pool, or simply a pool, is a container filled with water intended for swimming or water-based recreation. There are many standard sizes; the largest is the Olympic-size swimming pool...
s, bicycle and jogging trails, and parks. It also operates the Toronto Zoo
Toronto Zoo
The Toronto Zoo is a zoo located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It opened August 15, 1974 as the Metropolitan Toronto Zoo and is owned by the City of Toronto; the word "Metropolitan" was dropped from its name when the cities of the Municipality of Metropolitan Toronto were amalgamated to form the...
and other public spaces, such as Nathan Phillips Square
Nathan Phillips Square
Nathan Phillips Square is an urban plaza that forms the forecourt to Toronto City Hall, or New City Hall, at the intersection of Queen Street West and Bay Street, and named for Nathan Phillips, mayor of Toronto from 1955 to 1962. The square opened in 1965, and, as with the City Hall, the square was...
and Downsview Park
Downsview Park
Downsview Park is a former Canadian Forces Base in the community of Downsview in Toronto, Canada. It contains about 231.5 hectares of land, of which more than 130 hectares are earmarked for traditional parkland, recreational and cultural amenities...
.
Health
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
are quite extensive, and benefit from the intensive and broad medical research conducted in the city. Hospital
Hospital
A hospital is a health care institution providing patient treatment by specialized staff and equipment. Hospitals often, but not always, provide for inpatient care or longer-term patient stays....
s are publicly-financed, primarily by the provincial government, but also via federal government transfers to the province, some private sources (eg - lotteries) and through charitable and philanthropic donations.
Family doctors have private practices funded by the provincial government. Paramedic
Paramedic
A paramedic is a healthcare professional that works in emergency medical situations. Paramedics provide advanced levels of care for medical emergencies and trauma. The majority of paramedics are based in the field in ambulances, emergency response vehicles, or in specialist mobile units such as...
and ambulatory services are funded by the city. Also, non-profit palliative care services exist.
Transportation
Toronto Transit Commission
-Island Ferry:The ferry service to the Toronto Islands was operated by the TTC from 1927 until 1962, when it was transferred to the Metro Parks and Culture department. Since 1998, the ferry service is run by Toronto Parks and Recreation.-Gray Coach:...
is funded by the municipal government and user receipts, but infrastructure projects may receive funding from provincial and federal sources.
Roads within the city are a municipal responsibility, but major highways, such as the 400-series highways
400-series highways (Ontario)
The 400-series highways are a network of controlled-access highways throughout the southern portion of the Canadian province of Ontario, forming a special subset of the provincial highway system. They are analogous to the Interstate Highway System in the United States or the British Motorway...
, are provincially funded and operated. In the winter, the city provides snow removal
Snow removal
Snow removal is the job of removing snow after a snowfall to make travel easier and safer. This is done by both individual households and by governments and institutions.-De-icing and anti-icing:...
services on its roads and on property it owns, such as parking lots at libraries and swimming pools.
Water and wastewater
Toronto has a vast network to manage water delivery and to process wastewater.Waste management
The city's waste is collected by private operators under contract to the city. Some businesses make separate arrangements for their waste, as do hospitals for some of their waste. Collection includes garbage, recyclable materials, and compostable materials. Hazardous wasteHazardous waste
A hazardous waste is waste that poses substantial or potential threats to public health or the environment. According to the U.S. environmental laws hazardous wastes fall into two major categories: characteristic wastes and listed wastes.Characteristic hazardous wastes are materials that are known...
is also handled separately. The city's green bin program for compostable material was first tested in parts of Etobicoke, a suburb in the northwest.
Law enforcement
The Toronto Police ServiceToronto Police Service
The Toronto Police Service , formerly the Metropolitan Toronto Police, is the police service for the city of Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It is the largest municipal police service in Canada and second largest police force in Canada after the Royal Canadian Mounted Police...
is one of the oldest English-language modern municipal police departments in the world. Its operational is funded via the municipal government, and represents the single-greatest yearly expenditure in the city's operating budget.