TUNE INTO THE TOWN: PRESERVING HERITAGE SITES

Libby Znaimer is joined by Deputy Mayor Ana Bailão, Ward 9 Davenport, Councillor Brad Bradford, Ward 19 Beaches East York and Councillor James Pasternak, Ward 6 York Centre.

It’s Thursday – the day we focus on all things municipal and with less than a month before our municipal elections some members of the South Asian community are upset about the date. Diwali falls on October 24 – it is a key religious and cultural holiday celebrated by Hindus, Sikhs, and Jains. The argument is that it is usually celebrated with family after work and if people have to choose between that and voting well they will choose family celebrations and that could lead to lower turnout and representation for these communities. On the other hand, the government says those who can’t make it to the polls on election day can vote by mail, at advance voting stations or by proxy — Also, municipal election dates are fixed under a provincial act. Then there is the saga of of the heritage designation denied for the old China Lilly factory – a place that has huge cultural significance for the Chinese community.We’ll get into the details but to me there is a broader conversation turning our banks on preservation of our built heritage – Toronto learned a lesson after some of our best buildings were destroyed in the 60’s we brought in heritage and in my opinion it is now under threat –  usually in the name of building housing but the affordable housing we need is not what gets built.

HERE IS HOW MUCH OVERTURNING BILL 124 WOULD COST THE PROVINCE

Libby Znaimer is now joined by Peter Weltman, Ontario’s Financial Accountability Officer.

Ontario needs about 135,000 public sector workers over the next 5 years and may have to boost wages to get them. That is the conclusion of FAO Peter Weltman – he’s talking about PSW’s nurses, child care workers – not top level bureaucrats. According to the Toronto Sun overturning the infamous Bill 124 would cost the province $8.4 billion if a court challenge against it is successful. Meanwhile the FAO says  Bill 124 has allowed the government to save as much as $9.7 billion between 2019 to 2026-27.

CANADIANS ARE TIGHTENING THEIR HOUSEHOLD BUDGETS AMID INFLATION

Libby Znaimer is now joined by Barry Choi, Personal Finance Expert.

According to a new Angus Reid Institute poll, nine out of ten Canadians are tightening their household budgets amid inflation and higher prices. Remember that the Bank of Canada increased the interest rate yet again in September–up 75 basis points to 3.25 per cent.  The survey shows that 66 respondents are cutting back on spending, while 50 per cent of them are delaying major purchases.  Barry weighs in on the latest and details what Canadians should be thinking about as they work to preserve and strengthen their personal finances.