Year: 1939
Summary: Outlines civic budget estimates for 1939, including estimated revenues and expenditures. Discusses the tax rate, as well the ongoing capital project to improve the city's sewage system. Stresses the need for more rigid control of taxation and debt.
Year: 1940
Summary: Provides the estimated current revenues for the 1940 civic budget. Outlines expenditures and the tax rate. Raises questions as to whether all city departments are as efficient and as adequately mechanized as they could be.
Year: 1941
Summary: Highlights the need for increased efficiency at all levels of government in order to be able to invest in the war effort. Suggests public expenditures be kept to a minimum while war is ongoing.
Year: 1944
Summary: Provides estimated expenditures for the 1944 civic budget analyzed by the cost of main function to be met out by taxation. Raises questions as to whether or not expenditures will be raised when men return from war and take up their old positions, and if a wartime decrease in personnel has resulted in a corresponding decrease in services.
Summary: Provides details on estimated expenditures out of taxation and grants for the 1944 civic budget, analyzed according to object of expenditure. Observes that debt charges have increased. Suggests that budget figures should be made available prior to elections to increase voter interest and turnout. Argues that the 1944 budget shows little evidence that it was formulated based on the post-war needs of Toronto's citizens.
Year: 1945
Summary: Notes that the upcoming municipal elections will include a vote on Don Valley traffic artery and public transit proposals.
Year: 1946
Summary: This publication advocates a staggered 2-year council term.
Year: 1947
Summary: Pointing to the legitimacy and authority problems that arise from the council members' hope to establish a municipal corporation.
Year: 1948
Summary: Considers the role of the Board of Assessors responsible for re-examining tax properties in the city.
Year: 1949
Summary: A summary of the work done by the Bureau of Municipal Research for the year ending 1949. Topics of importance include The Baldwin Act (municipal autonomy) and provincial-municipal relations. Bureau expenditures and subscribers listed at the end.
Summary: Better accountability in budget making requires more transparency in information and more clarity regarding tax assessments.
Year: 1950
Summary: Identifies structural implications of municipal reform and re-defining of municipalities in Ontario.
Year: 1951
Summary: Analysis of Board of Education structure, authority and expenditure in light of public controversy about their current level of expenditure.
Year: 1952
Summary: A report summarizing the interactions between the provincial government of Ontario and the municipal government of Toronto, particularly in the areas of taxation and finance of public infrastructure and municipal services. The expansion of municipal franchise to those who do not own property is debated.
Year: 1953
Summary: Describes anticipated restructuring of municipal borders and amalgamation in the Toronto area.
Summary: Examines the newly approved personnel system in Toronto, including: the authority over personnel working for the city, the efficiency of their work and the need for merit-based reward systems.
Year: 1954
Summary: Discusses planning for construction of a lakeshore expressway and issues relating to the operation of the Toronto Harbourfront.
Year: 1955
Summary: Discusses the municipal responsibility to develop public transit and the fiscal challenges it poses.
Year: 1956
Summary: The bureau states its affirmative stance on a proposal to bring in universal adult suffrage.
Year: 1957
Summary: The Bureau indicates its support of a temporary increase in tax rates.
Summary: Describes of the structure of government in metropolitan Toronto and planned changes.
Year: 1958
Summary: Urging the advancement of legislation for universal suffrage in municipal elections (limited until that time by ownership of property).
Summary: Describes the responsibilities and requirements of elected city officials.
Year: 1959
Summary: Describes changes to school funding with the new Metro arrangements.
Summary: Discusses how much public housing there should be, who should it be made available to and how much funding should be allocated for this purpose.
Summary: Local governments encounter difficulties in both current and capital financing; this warrants reconsideration of Provincial-Municipal Relations.
Summary: Bureau successfully advocated changes in legislation to end tax exemptions to property owners.
Year: 1960
Summary: News Brief about results of Bureau activity: voter apathy, welfare, removal of tax exemptions, construction of roads, committee work.
Summary: Scan of all Canadian provinces and the Federal government's systems of paying for property occupied in cities in ways other than property taxes.
Summary: Recommendations for the prefered form of government to be established in North York.