$40 million on Nathan Philips?

Toronto has a spending problem. You know it, I know it. Even our mayoral candidates know it.

“Toronto doesn’t have a funding problem. It does have a spending problem” - George Smitherman
“Toronto has a spending problem, not a revenue problem”- Rob Ford

It seems as if Smitherman and Ford have been drinking the same Kool-aid.

The biggest challenge for our new mayor is definitely going to be handling that beautiful budget of ours, but that’s a given. How they are going to do it is actually what we should all be worried about.

Ironically enough, today an article on some improvements to Nathan Philips Square caught my eye. I took a closer look and what I thought was just a minor enhancement turned out to be anything but.

Can someone please explain to me why we are spending $40 million to give Nathan Philips a facelift?

Alright, so it’s not the most modern or technologically impressive of places, but it’s not supposed to be either. Apparently the upgrades are going to make it a more inviting place. Well, I walk through it every day and the last thing I’m thinking is that it’s empty and cold.

Once the cold Toronto winter passes, the place is packed. It’s full of tourists taking a break from walking under the sun, kids running around playing and even couples enjoying a quiet romantic moment near the water.

There’s beauty in simplicity sometimes.

How will building yet another restaurant (that we don’t need) and creating a fancier landscape really benefit Torontonians? This multi-million dollar project is coming right out of the city’s capital budget too. Just what we need.

But hey – I’m all for an information and tourist Kiosk on Queen Street.

Let’s hope our new mayor can put this city’s money to good use because this sure isn’t a good way to start.

About Alexandra Orlando

Finding Our Identity

What does it actually mean to be a Torontonian?

Recently, the issue of identity has been on my mind lately. When I read through the newspaper and catch the on-line headlines that seem to continuously flash before my eyes, issues and events are defined in certain perspectives; the liberal perspective, the conservative perspective, the global consciousness, national interest, municipal benefits. Each article identifies with a certain group of people, beliefs and ideology.

So when we talk about Toronto and what we want to see our city become, is it really for the collective good or individual? We are an extremely multicultural city and will always be very proud of the number of languages and cultures that fill our city streets.

I feel that we need to think about what actually brings us all together. What connects our city? Leafs nation is still going strong (don’t ask me how or why), but let’s face it, although it’s a big group of people it still doesn't define our city.

My vision for the future of Toronto is finding our identity and embodying what it means to be a Torontonian. What are our values? We all know what our own values are, but as a community what do we stand for?

Is it too radical to suggest we should have community animators in every part of the city strengthening the bond that holds us all together through local centres, libraries, schools and businesses.

I’m not talking about pricey government supported programs, which I truly believe we need more of, but going back to grass roots; people helping people. Whether this is a "learn to play" night for kids at the local community centre or a book/movie exchange at the library, the importance is consistency.

We must continue to bring people together and I believe and would expect my provincial government and those who govern us to do just that.

About Alexandra Orlando

Budget for an active Toronto

I am one of those people that anxiously awaits the always entertaining federal and provincial budget announcements every year from Ottawa. I hope for the best, expect the worst and keep my fingers crossed that maybe this will be the day that they wake up and realize what will actually make this country and our cities a better place. 

I have to admit, though, I am constantly amused by the number of complaints upon complaints from every single person that wants their needs to be met, their programs to be flooded with resources and their lives to be bettered. I find it ironic that it becomes a battle between provinces and a clash between people and certain groups that are all out for "me."

To be honest, I am not going to sit here and say that I haven't thought of my needs over others and preach to all of you to be more altruistic. But I will say that on the whole I think we all need to commit to think about what's best for all of us: WE all owe it to each other to make this a better place to live.

Realistically, it all ends up with the privileged few politicians that hold the fate of our city in their hands. The last few years it has become increasingly more apparent that Toronto has one of the largest municipal infrastructure deficits across the nation. This has been a weight that we have been struggling under for years and it shows. 

In November 2009, the city declared that more than half of its capital budget for 2010 will be going towards the maintenance and expansion of the TTC. Actually, transportation is eating up about 70 per cent of the entire budget over the next 10 years, putting aside $11.7 billion.

To put it into perspective, Toronto is already running a $382 million debt and balancing the books calls for, you guessed it, higher taxes and service cuts. But hey, we're going to have some new streetcars out of it. This is a classic case of when all else fails, just cut programs. It seems to be the easiest thing for our government, so they can say they're helping our city by getting us out of debt, when in fact hundreds of thousands of people are going to suffer for it. 

Last year 39 public pools were closed leaving 700,000 kids, students, athletes and adults with nowhere to go for physical activity. With not only childhood, but adult obesity on the rise and health care costs going through the roof, we are cutting after-school programs and increasing the time our citizens can opt for the couch over getting active. You'll be hard pressed to find modern, up-to-date community centres in areas that are desperate for that kind of facility. The access to get active is lacking.

The connection between sport, physical activity and health is a no-brainer. We know this, our politicians know this. By investing in real, quality programming through schools, community centres and local recreational groups, there is the great potential to reach the lives of thousands of Torontonians. Healthcare costs would decrease, albeit not over night, but the development of a city that prides itself on being active is a long-term solution that would dramatically help these costs over time. 

Cutting services and programs is just a means to look good on paper, but off the page is an uglier picture that even a smoother road or faster streetcar can't fix. 

About Alexandra Orlando

We student voters are the future

Alexandra Orlando.

I was born and raised in Toronto, so this city holds a very special place in my heart. A North York native, over the years I’ve moved from place to place, making my way closer to the water. Every neighborhood, every community is unique and makes this city what it is. That’s exactly what I love about Toronto, turning a corner and finding yourself immersed in something fresh and new.

Whether it’s the feel of the people in the streets or the cultures that adorn the restaurants and local shops, Toronto is truly multi-cultural. No matter your age, background, race, religion, there is a place for you here. Toronto is my home, where I grew up and where I became the person I am today. This is my city, your city.

Don’t worry I’m not that naive: Toronto is far from perfect. However, I’m a firm believer that before any constructive criticism, you should always start with some positives (insert innocent grin). Toronto, I do love you, but we’re crying out for a change.

With the upcoming elections keeping anxious Torontonians on the edge of their seats, this is not the time to sit back and relax. President Barack Obama made the Americans believe in the power of change, inspired millions to take a chance, and grin and bear the consequences. No one said change was ever easy, but we know we want it and we’re ready for it.

We can change this city, it starts with City Hall, but it’s up to every single one of us to be a more engaged, empowered, active citizen. In the 2006 Toronto elections, it was disturbing to hear that voter turnout was only 41%. The Federal Election in 2008 was no better, as Toronto Center had one of the sharpest declines, with 8,000 fewer votes.

Do we just not care? Clearly that’s not the case, as we are a very vocal people about what we don’t like to see here in our neighborhoods. I don’t think Mayor David Miller would disagree with me there. So we complain and criticize, but then we don’t vote -- and students have the worst reputation of us all.

To my great disdain, I am placed into that lovely “student voter” category. I feel like I’m stereotyped as an ignorant young person, who doesn’t actually care or believe in the real issues at hand. Apparently we only vote for the NDP, if we even vote at all, because they promise lower tuition fees. Duh.

What bothers me most is that as I sit here and read these incredible, innovative and intriguing opinions and ideas from some of the most diverse people our city has to offer, nothing will change if we don’t all change.

For my first blog I wanted to call out to every Torontonian, for every person that has been affected by budget shortfalls, lack of affordable housing, public transportation glitches and the closing down of community centres and much-needed pools. For every person that can see the potential in this city, let your voice be heard, get into your community and VOTE.

To all my fellow student voters, this is our time to prove everyone wrong. Think of the future of this city. We are the future. Let’s take that responsibility and shape what’s to come.

About Alexandra Orlando