On a snowy, cold morning, when the Executive Committee of the City is meeting on the 2016 Budget, about 80 protestors demanded that the city actually fund its Poverty Reduction Strategy. The Council has trumpeted its promises to support reduced fares for low income
Thank you to all of you who joined this protest!
The Community 2 Community Coalition (C2C) demanded $75 million in funding – 1/10th of the police budget, but the city has provided only $5 million.
The crowd shouted out slogans such as: “Come on Council. You know how. Transit, housing, childcare now!” and “Service cuts and taxes low, Austerity has got to go!”
Organizers provided T shirts, and gave out baked goods, symbolizing the “crumbs” that the city has relegated to the struggle against poverty. Speakers talked about the lack of any real plan or funding for free fares for people on social assistance and reduced fares for people living on low incomes; little commitment to affordable and supportive housing and affordable child care spaces.
After the demo, people went into the Executive Committee with their T shirts and passion.
The City finalizes its budget Feb. 18 and Feb. 19. Contact them to call for more funding to address poverty.
TTCriders asked all federal MP candidates about their commitments to public transit. Read their responses to our transit policy survey and see where your candidates stand on improving public transit!