Once in awhile, city councillors do the right thing, right from the start. Such was the case this week when city councillors pounced on an ill-advised recommendation from staff to boost permit fees by a whopping 21 per cent to bring in needed new revenue.Councillors and Mayor David Miller moved quickly to soothe the fears of dozens of charitable sports groups that say such substantial and swift increases could force them out of their community-based sports organizations entirely.
The permit fees are charged to groups that run hockey and soccer leagues year-round in city parks and arenas. They are also charged to swim clubs that train local kids.
It's true that the city must reclaim some of the tax ground it lost in past years due to political considerations or a lack of leadership - or both - but this recommendation from staff as it stands is neither practical nor fair.
If increases are deemed by city councillors to be unavoidable, officials must introduce them incrementally to allow sports organizations and families an opportunity to absorb the additional costs.
Sports groups in Toronto see children in the tens of thousands out all year long to compete in various community sports leagues. These non-profit leagues build character in youth and address some of the important issues we face in society today: inclusion and tolerance; self and team discipline; health and fitness.
To suggest, as is being done with this proposal, that they aren't paying enough, is nonsense.
Hockey, as an example, and particularly competitive hockey in Toronto, is already prohibitively expensive for families.
In demanding so much more from sports organizations, without benefit of time to prepare, city officials would face the prospect of reducing the already limited access to some of the sports organizations that operate in Toronto.
To their credit, several councillors and Mayor Miller say that the proposed fee hikes will be revisited and likely even lowered.
If community-based organized sports are important to the growth of our youth, if they are a component in creating a city whose youth is engaged and active, then this document in its current form is a blow to Toronto families and the army of volunteers who ensure kids from communities across the city are given an opportunity to play.
Call your city councillor, send an e-mail to Mayor David Miller and make it perfectly clear that you have a say in the matter too.