At the last meeting of the Toronto Сity Сouncil James Pasternak, Councillor - Ward 10, supported and approved the amendments made ​​to the city budget for 2013.
"I was pleased to support the 2013 City of Toronto budget as amended at City Council this week.

This year’s budget is a balanced document that preserves what we cherish and protects our financial integrity. We have been able to keep taxes affordable with a moderate property tax rate increase of 2% while improving services and lowering our debt.

There are a number of items in this budget that will help make meaningful impacts in the lives of Ward 10 residents.

We have made a historic commitment to the city’s arts and culture community with a new investment of $6 million that will give priority to increased employment for young artists, expansion of youth mentorships in arts and culture, support Toronto’s music cluster and provide an increase to arts and culture grant recipients. Plus, thanks to our advocacy North York Arts will receive its first $100,000 city grant in 2013.

Affordable housing in the city will also be more accessible with an additional $6.8 million being allocated to the Social Housing Stabilization Reserve and over 1,100 new affordable homes in Toronto are projected to open over the next two years.

Council also approved an additional $1.2 million for the Student Nutrition Program and added 264 new childcare subsidies. I was pleased that Council supported my motion to study adding ten youth drop in spaces across the city.

Overall, this budget balances the need be fiscally responsible while supporting the services residents depend on. It is something that we as a city can be proud of."