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309 results (showing 1-30)

  • Publication Series: White Papers (1915-1945)
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City Planning Story No. 2

Year: 1928

Summary: Outlines the various municipal departments who have authority in planning, what each department plans. Highlights matters of urgent importance to taxpayers, which includes the appointment of a city planning advisory board, and how expenditures are made in city planning.

Open Letter To Electors Of The City Of Toronto

Year: 1945

Summary: Notes that the upcoming municipal elections will include a vote on Don Valley traffic artery and public transit proposals.

How Should Toronto's Civic Welfare Work Be Organized

Year: 1923

Summary: Scan of major elections issues, including changing City Council term length

Planning Versus Confusion

Year: 1926

Summary: Argues that better budget planning and accountability are needed as well as a reform to the government system including abolishing wards and improving the civic service.

Open Letter

Year: 1934

Summary: Argues that the economic tides appear to be turning, but cautions that the city cannot already return to its previous expenditure levels due to lack of fiscal stability after the years of depression.

The Difference

Year: 1928

Summary: Highlights road accident fatality rates in Canada and expresses a need for regulatory changes in order to prevent them. Compares road fatality rates to the number of people killed in wars, saying "the civil war of motor accidents has lasted twenty years and shows no sign of termination."

Growing Pains Of Large Urban Communities

Year: 1931

Summary: Highlights some of the features and issues that Vancouver has faced in light of rapid growth, urbanization and development of suburbs.

To The Citizens Of Toronto We Wish You And Yours, All, A Balanced Budget For 1935 And Have A Few Left Over For A Nest Egg.

Year: 1935

Summary: Highlights the need for balancing the budget and for reducing tax burden in light of Depression.

The Original Estimates Of Last Year's Board Of Education Are Said To Have Provided For An Expenditure In 1921 Equivalent To 10 1/4 Mills On The Assessment. The Actual Adopted Was 10 Mills

Year: 1922

Summary: Highlights the need for better coordination and budget planning between the different functions in the municipality.

The Largest Budget Of General Expenditure Except In 1931 And The Highest Tax Rate In Toronto's History

Year: 1937

Summary: Outlines an increase in the tax rate and increases in expenditures. Highlights the fact that a better voter turnout in the next year may produce better results when it comes to the municipal budget.

A Twelve Hour Working Day For School Buildings 300 Days In The Year Story No.2

Year: 1921

Summary: Suggests that schools and school grounds be used more efficiently to meet community needs, such as the need for integration of new immigrants from Central and Southern Europe - both children and parents.

City Planning Story No. 1

Year: 1928

Summary: Highlighs the need for city planning in Toronto, arguing that city planning "is not a device to encourage spending," rather it is a way to control growth and ensure the proper services the city needs can be secured and paid for, without causing any undue tax burden on citizens. Planning is encouraged on major construction projects, new buildings, and street layout.

Business Is Business Story No.3

Year: 1930

Summary: Suggested organization for the city of Toronto administrative units as a means to secure better results from municipal expenditure and citizen effort

The Tax Rate And It's Cousins May Their Shadows Grow Less?

Year: 1918

Summary: Outlines factors afffecting Toronto's prosperity and competitiveness as a commercial, industrial and residential city. These factors include the tax rate, the fire-burden rate, the cost of sickness rate, the labour turnover rate, and the charity rate. Suggests improvements in all of these areas, and highlights the need for voters and taxpayers to be engaged and to keep City Hall accountable.

1941 City Budget Story No.3

Year: 1941

Summary: Provides estimated current expenditures to be met by taxation and grants for the 1941 civic budget. Suggest increase in city council term length, planning to budget for periods of time greater than one year, the appointment of a planning committee, and reducing the number of wards.

1938 Civic Budget Story No.1

Year: 1938

Summary: Provides an overview of the civic budget for 1938, including expenditures and the tax rate. The Bureau notes that the 1938 tax rate is the highest on record, probably owing to the costs of direct unemployment relief. The Bureau recommends that the city administration be studied by an outside party, to revise the size of the city council, to abolish or equalize the ward systems, and to increase term limits for city councillors.

The 1929 City Budget Story No.2

Year: 1929

Summary: Highlights major figures and expenditures of the 1929 budget. Notes that general government had expanded slightly per capita since 1928, and that the cost of education continues to increase. Suggests a need to check spending and to reduce the tax burden on businesses.

The City Budget Estimates: Cutting According To Plan Versus Slashing At Random

Year: 1920

Summary: Outline of suggested stages in preparing and passing budget estimates, and list of advantages this would secure.

Toronto Grows Story No.1

Year: 1931

Summary: Tabulated comparison of increases in taxation vs. voter turnout.

Government By Deficit

Year: 1915

Summary: This pamphlet calls for the adoption of a new accounting system by city hall, and the release of budget information to the public on a monthly, quarterly, and yearly basis so that informed citizens may take action to prevent deficits.

Civic Financial Control Story No.4

Year: 1929

Summary: Highlights the results of the operation of regular civic and educational services, the operation of muncipally owned public services not controlled by boards and commissions, and the operation of public services controlled by boards and commissions.

1942 City Budget Story No.2

Year: 1942

Summary: Outlines estimated expenditures analyzed by the cost of main function to be met out by taxation for the 1942 budget. Advocates for monthly calculations to promote accountability. Calls for a departmentalization survey to be carried out at once.

Some Facts About Our Schools In 1913

Year: 1915

Summary: An overview of the issues and challenges faced by Toronto public schools, including drop-out rates, rates of grade repetition, facilities, curricula and student health. Proposes solutions to make public schools run more efficiently and to improve conditions for students. Meant to encourage taxpayers to keep on top of local boards of education, and to exert pressure if it seems standards have loosened.

Special Bulletin: Address Of Mr. R. C. Berkinshaw, President, Citizens' Research Institute Of Canada At Combined Annual Meetings Of Toronto Bureau Of Municipal Research And Citizens Research Institute

Year: 1943

Summary: Text of speech by President of the Citizens' Research Institute of Canada. Stresses the need for independent research agencies in the realm of public affairs, the need for financial controls, and what problems and issues need to be considered at the end of the war.

1943 City Budget Story No.2

Year: 1943

Summary: Outlines estimated expenditures analyzed by the cost of main function to be met out by taxation for the 1943 budget. Calls for the city to establish a reserve of credit and a programme of work to meet post-war needs. Also advocates for better city planning and highlights a need for more housing.

School Story No. 6

Year: 1916

Summary: Comparison of repeated grades and children above standard age in Montreal and Toronto schools and how the education system should cater to children with special needs.

Non - Voting On January 1St, 1946

Year: 1946

Summary: Provides a comparative analysis of Toronto civic election results and outlines the fact that there is a very low voter turnout rate in Toronto. Raises the question as to whether voters should also play some part in the nomination process, and would this raise voter interest and turnout. Also suggests staggered two or three year terms to encourage better candidates and continuity of policy.

Municipal Reporting Story No.1

Year: 1930

Summary: Highlights the importance of municipal financial reporting for both policy-makers and citizens. Traces the development of municipal financial reporting in Toronto over the decades. Stresses a need for annual report on civic expenditures to be made available to the general public.

The Smoke Evil

Year: 1946

Summary: Highlights the deleterious effects of poor air quality and pollution from coal-burning in industry. These effects include damage to stone, paint, buildings, clothing, plant life, and human health. Calls upon the mayor and city council to pass a by-law for smoke abatement.

1940 City Budget Story No.2

Year: 1940

Summary: Provides a classification for expenditures for the 1940 civic budget. Makes recommendations for improving efficiency and oversight of city actions, including the insitution of a personnel survey, the appointment of an unpaid planning committee, and that the board of control and city council frequently consult this planning committee on matters of traffic arteries and all other improvements that can be postponed until after WWII.

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