Posts Filed Under: explainer

City Hall Budget Terms, Explained

Confused about what all those budget terms mean? We have you covered.

By David Hains Dec. 5th, 9:30 am

1 Comment

How Property Taxes Work in Toronto

Everything you need to know about the City's main source of revenue.

By David Hains Dec. 5th, 9:00 am

How Governments Force People to Sell Their Homes and Businesses

It’s called expropriation.

By Will Koblensky Nov. 14th, 2:00 pm

8 Comments

Why Lower Don Flood Protection is a Necessary Cost

While $1.25 billion is a lot of money, it's the price for prudent Port Lands planning.

By Andrew Reeves Nov. 2nd, 3:30 pm

6 Comments

How Condo Boards Work in Ontario

Condos are governed by house rules that are sometimes poorly understood. Here's how they work.

By Will Koblensky Oct. 20th, 11:45 am

How Participatory Budgeting Works

What do you want in your neighbourhood?

By Will Koblensky Oct. 3rd, 11:30 am

2 Comments

How Section 37 Funds Work (And Don’t Work)

We explain the section of the Planning Act that makes every councillor pull out their hair.

By Neville Park Sep. 20th, 11:00 am

10 Comments

How Pride Toronto’s Dispute Resolution Process Works

Will the complaint against Black Lives Matter Toronto go anywhere?

By Al Donato Jul. 20th, 2:30 pm

7 Comments

How Property Tax Reassessments Work in Ontario

Property taxes get really confusing. We walk you through how the MPAC reassessment works.

By Jacob Lorinc Jul. 8th, 1:15 pm

How to Fight Against the Devastating Emerald Ash Borer

The tiny green insect will devour 850,000 Toronto ash trees, but the City and local non-profits hope to limit the damage.

By Ryan O'Connor May. 16th, 3:00 pm

11 Comments

Torontoist Explains: What is Inclusionary Zoning?

Buying and renting a house in Toronto is crazy expensive. Here's how the City could make it more affordable.

By Catherine McIntyre Apr. 4th, 12:30 pm

Torontoist Explains: How Extreme Cold Weather Alerts Work

It's another frigid day, and the Chief Medical Officer of Health has issued a cold weather alert. Here's what that means.

By Arielle Piat-Sauvé Feb. 11th, 4:00 pm

6 Comments

Torontoist Explains: City Council Revenue Tools

Council's perennial budget woes could be solved with the right mix of revenue tools. Here's what those options are.

By Neville Park Feb. 11th, 11:00 am

1 Comment

Torontoist Explains: Inflation and the City Budget

Everybody mentions it but no one explains it. Here's how inflation affects the city budget.

By Neville Park Dec. 15th, 8:30 am

Like the Debt Ceiling Can’t Hold Us

Toronto has a debt ceiling, too. But as the City gets close to its limit even without counting $23 billion of unfunded projects, council will face some tough choices.

By Sarah Niedoba Dec. 14th, 3:00 pm

2 Comments

How Property Taxes Work

Toronto's budget debate is often reduced to a fight about property taxes. Unfortunately, almost nobody understands how they work.

By David Hains Dec. 14th, 2:00 pm

24 Comments

Mind the Gap: Gapping 101

Just because there's a City job vacancy doesn't mean it gets filled immediately. We explain gapping, and its impact on the budget and city services.

By Neville Park Dec. 14th, 9:00 am

Torontoist Explains: The Municipal Land Transfer Tax

Real estate agents hate it, but city hall needs it. Here's why the Municipal Land Transfer Tax isn't going away.

By Neville Park Dec. 8th, 9:00 am