Research looks at effects of growth and underfunding
TORONTO, November 8, 2004 -- In a modern tale of two cities, York University Economics Prof. Harvey Schwartz compares Sydney and Toronto and questions why two cities with similar populations, growth patterns and potential issues are so far apart in situation. His findings predict continuing challenges for Toronto that could negatively impact the entire country’s economy.
“Sydney,” says Schwartz, “is clean with well-maintained infrastructure and well-maintained public transportation and road systems. The city is also debt free. In Toronto, on the other hand, the streets are cluttered with litter, the infrastructure is deteriorating and the public debt is rising as the city struggles to maintain and improve the public transportation and road systems.”
While Sydney has a smaller population than Toronto, the metropolitan areas of both cities are similar in size. They have also both experienced rapid population growth and recent boundary changes. The study attributes most of the differences to the problems created by the downloading of urban responsibilities to municipal governments. In Sydney, the state of New South Wales manages many urban responsibilities. The municipality of Toronto is responsible for most operating expenses, including social welfare programs, public works, city roads, cultural and recreational activities, public health, urban transit, police and fire protection and libraries. In Sydney, police and welfare services functions are carried out by New South Wales. Police services alone account for 22% of Toronto’s total operating budget.
Schwartz cites several factors for Toronto’s current woes. “Amalgamation has resulted in an increase in service costs and a decrease in service quality,” says Schwartz. Compounding matters, he notes, is the large and unwieldy structure of Toronto’s city council, which makes it difficult for residents to contact their public representatives -- increasing the city’s problem in the eyes of the public.
“Until the provincial and federal governments provide the funding and programs to remedy the problems caused by downloading,” says Schwartz, “Toronto’s municipal issues will continue to worsen. Since Toronto is Canada’s largest city and a major engine of growth for the Ontario and Canadian economies, its troubles are indicative of difficulties across the country and of even larger issues up ahead.”
- 30 -
York University is the leading interdisciplinary teaching and research university in Canada. York offers a modern, academic experience at the undergraduate and graduate level in Toronto, Canada’s most international city. The third largest university in the country, York is host to a dynamic academic community of 50,000 students and 7,000 faculty and staff, as well as 180,000 alumni worldwide. York’s 10 faculties and 21 research centres conduct ambitious, groundbreaking research that is interdisciplinary, cutting across traditional academic boundaries. This distinctive and collaborative approach is preparing students for the future and bringing fresh insights and solutions to real-world challenges.
For further information, please contact:
George McNeillie, Assistant Director, Media Relations, York University, (416) 736-2100 x22091/
gmcneil@yorku.ca
