Citizen's Guide to City Hall

Frequently Asked Questions

The full Council and Committee schedule can be found here:
http://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/schedule.htm

How do I get a grant?
http://www.toronto.ca/grants/csgp/index.htm

How can I make a deputation to a committee of City Council?
As a part of the city's policy of open and accessible government, the City of Toronto encourages public participation in its decision making process. Participation includes the opportunity for interested parties to appear at meetings of the standing committees of Toronto City Council to speak on matters of concern. These committees meet every four weeks to review policy and operating matters under their jurisdiction, and their recommendations are then submitted to the council for consideration.Well before the committee meets, contact the committee secretary in the Clerk's Office who is responsible for the committee you want to appear before. Tell the committee secretary that you want to make a deputation on a particular issue on the agenda.

These points will help you make your deputation.
» Deputations are usually heard at the beginning of committee meetings.
» Committees may decide to hear deputations at specific times during their meetings.
» Each deputation is limited to five minutes to give as many people as possible the opportunity to speak.
» Members of the committee may ask you questions.
» A written submission may be given to the committee secretary when you make your deputation, but it not necessary. Written comments may also be given or sent without speaking to the committee.
» If an organization wishes to address a committee, one person should be chosen to represent the group.
» Translation services are available and can be arranged in advance.
» We will let you know when council makes a decision on the issue.

As a citizen, you have the right to express your opinions to your elected representatives. Your ideas could make a difference when council discusses an important issue.

We encourage you to participate!
Write to us at:
Clerk's Office
Toronto City Hall
2nd Floor, West Tower
100 Queen Street West,
Toronto ON M5H 2N2

Fax us at:
(416) 392-1879
e-mail us at:
clerk@toronto.ca

Include your name, residential or business mailing address and your e-mail address so we can get in touch with you. This information is updated periodically but is unofficial and subject to change. For additional information, please contact the Clerk's Office at:
(416) 392-7039.

Which committee is responsible for an issue involving both a program/policy change and a change in expenditures from the City’s approved budget?
While each Standing Committee has responsibility for program and policy change, the Policy and Finance Committee has the responsibility for making recommendations over matters which would vary from the approved annual budget. The Chief Administrative
Officer and Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer are developing financial protocols for dealing with these types of situations.

What role does the Budget Advisory Committee play in the City’s budget process?
The Budget Advisory Committee is established to assist the Policy and Finance Committee. Its mandate typically includes co-ordinating the preparation of the annual capital and operating budgets, as well as reviewing other matters having a significant impact on future budgets as determined by the Policy and Finance Committee. The Chief Administrative Officer and Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer are developing a budget process for 2000.

To which standing committee would the City’s various Agencies, Boards and Commissions (ABCs) report?
The City’s ABCs are arms-length bodies that are not part of the City’s committee structure. Their responsibility to City Council is mostly financial. They set their own policies and their administration is accountable to their own boards. They do not have a "home base" standing committee through which they report matters to City Council. On any budget issues, the ABCs will report to the Policy and Finance Committee only. For other specific policy or program matters, they would report to the respective standing committee with jurisdictional responsibility on the subject matter.