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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.

Toronto Gives Story No. 5

Year: 1917

Summary: This publication suggests improvements in the collection of funds and the distribution of social services by civil society organizations, and proposes a federation of philanthropic institutions.

The 1928 City Budget Story No.3

Year: 1928

Summary: Outlines budget figures for civic expenditures in 1928. Notes that salaries are the fastest increasing expenditure and account for more than half of total expenditure. Proposes placing all city departments under the financial control of a single commissioner in order to ensure better economic efficiency.

Relief Story No.2 Reporting Direct Unemployment Relief Expenditures

Year: 1939

Summary: Examination and analysis of the burden that unemployment relief payments place on the budget.

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.

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 To The Citizens Of Toronto (Budget Story No.1-1943)

Year: 1943

Summary: Highlights recent debt charges, surplus, and provincial subsidies in the 1943 budget. Also provides some draft estimates of expenditures and revenue. Advocates for calculated spending in war time.

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."

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.

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.

The Council Manager Plan Of Municipal Government Story No. 5 Part B

Year: 1926

Summary: Part of an informational series on the Council Manager system of government. British opinions of council-manager model - there have been some successes and the cities are run in a more business-like manner.

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.

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.

Toronto Grows Story No.1

Year: 1931

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

Where Are Toronto And Its Metropolitan Area Heading?

Year: 1945

Summary: Highlights trends in Toronto's population and growth. Notes that the suburban population has more than doubled since 1926. Outlines the need for proper planning to better accomodate population growth. Notes that the assessed value of land in Toronto has been steadily decreasing. Suggests that there seems to be no good reason why the greater Toronto area should need more than one local government, though the lack of unitary government may be down to a lack of imagination. Concludes that in the meantime, a borough system may be better than no system at all.

Do You Realize That The Citizens Of Toronto Pay Taxes To Support Two Departments Of Health

Year: 1916

Summary: This document outlines the fact that Toronto has a separate health department for schools that employs the same kind of experts as the general health department and has many overlapping responsibilities. Consolidation of these two separate boards of health is proposed.

How Should Toronto's Civic Welfare Work Be Organized

Year: 1923

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

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.

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.

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.

Are All Children Alike?

Year: 1915

Summary: Attack on children with special needs and the fact that public education is wasted on them and on the need to repeat school years.

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.

The Civic Car Lines

Year: 1919

Summary: Public transit costs are being subsidized by taxpayer money.

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.

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.

City Planning Story No. 3

Year: 1928

Summary: Highlights the importance of city planning and zoning. Urges the adoption of city planning in order to reduce costs in the long term. Outlines what zoning can do - including making provisions for ample business districts, regulation of building height, and providing for quiet, conveniently located residential districts with uniform building sizes that make access to light and fresh air more equal. Stresses that tax-payer funds are wasted through poor or inadequate city planning.

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