ALT Over the last few years, Toronto has become a harder place to live. Our roads are crumbling and our public transit needs serious improvements, thousands of people are sleeping in shelters, parks and on the streets. The City is struggling to provide the basics, like washrooms in public parks. In this context, I inherited a financial mess at the City, which includes a $1.8 billion budget shortfall. Today was the first step in the process of getting our city back on track and fixing the things that are broken. We also have to address the City’s financial situation. I want to thank city staff and the Budget Chief for putting together a proposed Staff Budget that protects services while finding $600 million of reductions and offsets. Over the coming weeks, the Budget Committee will build on the public consultations last fall and hold meetings to listen to the people of Toronto. I will also have three telephone town halls next week to hear from local residents.